EP#78: No Guru Here

This week we’re joined by David Schild, the Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA). PCBAA is a consortium of American companies supporting domestic production of printed circuit boards and the materials they are made of. An established leader and trusted advocate, Schild has over 20 years of experience managing political involvement, corporate public relations and public policy efforts for the aerospace and defense industry and advocates for the CHIPS Act and PCBS Act. Text:Guests:David Schild from the PCBAAIntro to U.S. public policy impacting the microelectronic industryThe impact of globalization, corporate consolidation, and reshoring The CHIPS Act as a model and way forward to avoid supply chain issuesBringing manufacturing ecosystems back to AmericaThe CHIPS Act’s $52 billion endowment with tax credits to motivate companies to create in AmericaHow far can American manufacturing subsidies really go?“Private money follows public action”We’re down to single points of failure; one thing goes down, everything goes down worldwideEngineers don’t often get elected to CongressFostering options for young Americans to follow career paths via local microelectronics “The things we make in America, we can invent in America”Summary/Takeaways:Making PCBs relatable to the general public and politicians is crucialThe CHIPS and PCBs acts are a good start, but not enoughThank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at podcast@macrofab.com.

28 Juli 20231h 1min

Join us as we chat with Hyr0n and Zapp from AND!XOR Group about their iconic badges for DEF CON 31. Learn about the challenges and creative process behind their badges, including the returning Snackey Vending Machine. Discover how AI enhances their workflow while uncovering its limitations. Get ready for a captivating conversation!Text:Guests:Hyr0n & Zapp from AND!XOR Intro to AND!XOR and Previous Badge Designs for DEF CONA brief history of AND!XOR group The origins of Hyr0n & Zapp’s involvement in creating badges for DEF CON Recapping previous DEF CON badges, including last year’s Project Snackey The challenges of previous years badge design, including troubleshooting voltage issues and a weird bug that developed in Snackey halfway through DEF CON last yearDEF CON 31: Snackey is back! Exciting news: Snackey Vending Machine is back with new improvements! Balancing aesthetics and technical features while troubleshooting badge challengesLeveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy in badge designsUpcoming Hacker challenges at DEF CON including the mysterious Black Badges and announcing that Sanckey is an official challenge this year! Building a strong community at DEF CON through collaboration and solving challenges together Summary/Takeaways:Embrace the journey and learn from failures as they often lead to the most memorable experiences.AI is a powerful tool for automating tedious tasks but won't replace programmers anytime soon.Previous Episodes Featuring AND!XOR: MEP EP#342: Hackery ExpertsMEP EP#238: Better Encryption than Zoom, Firmware Stacks with AND!XORMEP EP#183: Feel the HumMEP EP#109MEP EP#69Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at podcast@macrofab.com.

21 Juli 202353min

Delve into the world of AI in chip design, exploring the limitations and benefits of AI, its impact on productivity and the labor market, and the future of this technology. We also join Parker on another exciting installment of his Box Truck project as he converts a truck into an RV.  We discuss the limitations of warranties and power systems for conversions. Tune in for a captivating conversation!Text:AI Can't Design Chips Without People 🤖Advancements and challenges in AI's role in chip design, optimizing performance, layouts, and quality controlThe hybrid human-machine approach, leveraging AI while valuing design engineers' expertise and creativityExploring AI applications in art, music, and the context of derivative and non-derivative worksExamining the role of AI in increasing productivity and discussing labor implications in chip design and other disciplines Box Truck: Parker Project Status Update Parker's ongoing conversion of a Box Truck into an RV Encountering a challenge: engine won't start 🤦‍♂️Costly towing bill due to a faulty fuel module replacementDive into discussions on power systems, wiring, battery technology, and power management complexitiesCatch up on the Box Truck saga in previous Episodes 376, 378, and 379Summary/Takeaways:Reflections on the importance of the human element in collaboration with AI to achieve optimal results Consider the challenges and complexities involved in converting a Box Truck into an RV, from engine issues to power system considerationsThank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at podcast@macrofab.com.

14 Juli 202355min

In the spirit of summer, we kick off this week with a  timely discussion of whether you can cook food on the engine of your car; how hot would your exhaust pipes even need to be? Stephen shares the current challenges he’s facing with his CNC (computer numerical control) project; avoiding messy wiring, dos and don’ts of using electrical tape and when to upgrade to a bigger 3D printing.  We also discuss the special place in Hell for the person at the hardware store who puts the wrong screw in the wrong drawer. 😈Manifold Destiny: Cooking on a Car Engine Experience the culinary adventure of transforming your car into a BBQ hotspot Exhaust pipes can reach temperatures of up to 1200°F; certainly enough to cook an egg Stainless steel changes color based on heat, with blue occurring around 550-650°F and brown near 450°FWe compare the artistry of welding techniques on Instagram akin to the Mona Lisa to the practical Parker-style welding approach CNC (computer numerical control): Stephen Project Status Update Stephen provides a status update on his ongoing CNC project Tips for avoiding messy wiring and achieving a professional look in CNC projectsDiscussion on the dos and don'ts of using electrical tapeConsiderations for upgrading to a larger 3D printer, expanding your printing possibilities The special place in hell for the person who puts the wrong screw in the wrong drawer at the hardware store Summary/Takeaways:Transform your car into a BBQ to unlock the culinary potential of your vehicle’s engineAvoid Mad Max-style wiring, elevating the overall aesthetic and functionality of your CNC project Thank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at podcast@macrofab.com.

10 Juli 202345min

The concerning news of a missing submarine near the Titanic wreck site this week sparks conversation about the implications of using a $30 Logitech gamepad for steering, the importance of regulatory bodies for deep sea exploration and why backups are essential for critical systems. We also explore the question; is an engineer a scientist? Lastly, we discuss a breakthrough in laser-based data transmission that could revolutionize internet connectivity. Submarine Safety: Unconventional Controls and Engineering DesignSuitability of game controllers for critical systemsRegulatory compliance and safety standards in engineering projectsWhat can we learn from this story and why backups are essential Engineer vs. Scientist: Perception and PracticeProficiency at something vs. being an expert Education vs. professionally paid for your work “If you wear a white lab coat in your day job, you are a scientist” Inspired by u/amirouche_up’s question at r/askengineers Laser Internet: Overcoming Atmospheric Interference for Enhanced ConnectivityIf Stephen was in charge of this project, the first message he would send across would be “Gondor calls for aid”Advantages of lasers in data transmission compared to undersea fiber optic cables What if you could curb a laser?Summary/Takeaways:Lessons learned from the submarine incident and best practices for engineering safetyPerspectives on the engineer-scientist debate Future prospects and applications of laser-based data transmission technologyThank you for listening to the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!  We’d love to hear what you think of the show so please tweet at us @MacroFab and join our slack channel at Macrofab dot com / slack or email us at podcast@macrofab.com.

6 Juli 20231h 2min

MEP EP# 383: Screaming into the Social Media VoidAutoDesk is dropping support and development for the dedicated Eagle EDA tool and moving efforts to the AutoDesk Fusion 360 Electronics. This has set the electronic enthusiast online communities ablaze with KiCad users and supporters frothing at this opportunity to take market share away from Eagle in the EDA space. Parker and Stephen discuss this and more on this week’s episode of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!Topics:Parker was on The Coriolis Effect last Friday with Bill Herd and Ben Jordan! Check out the episode here. AutoDesk dropping dedicated Eagle Support.Effective June 7 2026. Autodesk will no longer sell EagleFusion 360 Electronics is the “path forward” Supposedly Eagle files are fully compatible with Fusion 360 ElectronicsHackaday’s take on this: “They used to be a big shot but now they are no more”Discussion points: What will happen to all of the historic Eagle materials out in the world?What will happen to stand alone eagle? Is this a big deal because the hacker/maker community is loud?The move of everything to subscription models, is it a good business move, or the death knell for these products?ProsContinuous improvementAccess to most or all tools even the expensive onesSupportConsYou don’t own your toolYour designs feel like they are held hostageIs KiCAD a good open source alternative to Eagle, and will it be competitive to Fusion? Takeaways: What will the future look like for these types of products - will Fusion 360 be strong? Will subscription models continue to gain momentum? Hobby vs profitEx-Samsung executive alleged to have stolen tech to recreate chip plant in ChinaWhat was this executive planning to transfer?Modern plants are highly integrated and specific with supporting equipment needed to drive those tools.Maybe it was Samsung’s secret sauce? Software packages and tooling guidelines? Unconventional fathers day gift ideas?What does an electrical engineer give his dad?ToolsSteaksJust give him a call!

15 Juni 20231h 2min

MEP EP#382: The Danger PoolThe CHIPS act is in full swing with Texas Instruments, TSMC, Intel and other chip manufacturers scaling up and building new facilities in the United States. There is just one problem however, the engineering manpower required to run these high tech facilities. TSMC is struggling to fill hiring quotas and articles are citing TSMC working conditions as the reason. Stephen and Parker decide to explore the possibility of more reasons for this on this week’s episode of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast.Chipmaker TSMC needs to hire 4,500 Americans at its new Arizona plants.We touched on this in the past with the chip act. 668,000 domestic manufacturing jobs for the chips act on Episode #345 - The Hot List of Tasty Chip FabsTSMC says it will hire 4,500 new workers to support its two Arizona fabs, a sizable chunk of the total new jobs created. So far TSMC has hired ~2000 but say it is tough to hire.Compensation and hiringTSMC pays up to $160,000 annually for Ph.D.s with some good experience where that same Ph.D. can earn some $30,000 more at IntelIntel is giving raises of $10K - $20K over TSMC offers to stay. More students in STEM in Taiwan vs US : 31% compared to 17.5%Apple launches Vision Pro AR headset to ship next year$3500 When the VR industry is getting less expensive and in a hardware purchasing decline?Pro price but no pro applications?The Danger PoolWhat would it take to make a “solder pot”Assembling Transistor Radios 1955Simple calculations60/40 specific heat = 0.173 J/g-C60/40 melting temp = 190cEnergy to raise temp -> specific heat equationEnergy to raise 5kg temp by 165C = 142.7 kJEnthalpy of fusion = 37J/gEnergy needed to “melt” = 185kJTotal Energy = 327 kJJoule is W.sIf we wanted to deliver this much power in 30 minutes182 WattsKitchen stove burnerSmall ~1200WMedium ~1500 to 1800WLarge ~2500W500mm x 175mm size

9 Juni 20231h 5min

MEP EP#381: Bil Herd - Back Into the StormBil Herd, one of the early engineers of Home Computers, joins as a guest on this week’s episode of the podcast. Bil led the hardware design for the Commodore C128 and Plus4 Series of computers in the 1980’s and currently co-hosts a weekly webcast which can be seen at Coriolis-effect.comTopics:Back Into the Storm: A design engineers story of Commodore Computers in the 1980’sVintage Computer FestivalReturning to Texas this JuneJune 23rd - 25th VCF SouthwestAugust 4-5th VCF WestVcfed.orgCoriolis-EffectBil co-hosts this along with Ben Jordan! Summary of the show / TopicsDeep dives into circuit analysisSignal integrityDFM and assembly processThe Commodore C128 was designed during the era of through hole components.How did the advent of Surface Mount Tech change design? Through hole is still used today and what mistakes do modern engineers and designers do when using through hole components?  How often did “green wire” fixes go into production?

2 Juni 20231h 4min