Beyond the Board: Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Innovators in Electronics
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
Defense Speak Interpreted: Update on the Continuing Resolution and Budget Process for Defense
Equipment/Process Selection: Case Study of a DMADV Approach to PCB FAB Process Design
February 5, 2018 | Alex Stepinski, WHELEN ENGINEERINGEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Background
In 2014, Whelen Engineering Company, the OEM market leader in the emergency warning industry, developed the world’s first green smart PCB fab factory as a captive operation servicing internal demand. Due to the success of this venture, in 2016, a decision was made to explore building an upgraded factory which would serve the merchant market. This article outlines the approach we took to designing this new phase of our commercial existence, which has now been spun off as a separate business unit known as Greensource Fabrication. This new business unit is expected to go live in 2018.
Summary Approach
In our experience, a holistic DMADV approach to complex process design is not commonly used in the PCB industry. This approach requires a commitment to dedicated R&D re-sources, extensive travel by the technical team, a great deal of hands-on experience, as well as significant investment capital. Since very few PCB fabs perform R&D, we believe that there is a currently a very high ROI to this approach with low risk, since it is easy to design and secure strong competitive advantages when everyone else is just copying each other.
To read the full version of this article which appeared in the January 2018 issue of The PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
indie Semiconductor Reports Q1 2025 Results
05/13/2025 | BUSINESS WIREindie Semiconductor, Inc., an automotive solutions innovator, today announced first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2025. Q1 revenue was up 3.3 percent year-over-year to $54.1 million with Non-GAAP gross margin of 49.5 percent. On a GAAP basis, first quarter 2025 operating loss was $38.9 million compared to $49.6 million a year ago.
Siemens Leverages AI to Close Industry’s IC Verification Productivity Gap in New Questa One Smart Verification Solution
05/13/2025 | SiemensSiemens Digital Industries Software announced the Questa™ One smart verification software portfolio, combining connectivity, a data driven approach and scalability with AI to push the boundaries of the Integrated Circuit (IC) verification process and make engineering teams more productive.
Beyond the Board: Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Innovators in Electronics
05/13/2025 | Jesse Vaughan -- Column: Beyond the BoardThe electronics industry is at the heart of technological progress, driving innovative advancements that shape our world. Yet, despite the sector's rapid evolution, it faces a looming challenge: attracting and retaining young talent. With an aging workforce and an increasing demand for skilled professionals, the industry must find ways to inspire the next generation of innovators.
The Shaughnessy Report: Solving the Data Package Puzzle
05/12/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy -- Column: The Shaughnessy ReportIf you ask fabricators about their biggest challenges, they’ll often point at PCB designers—the readers of this magazine. Yes, you! Why is it so difficult to create the ideal data package? It’s a fairly straightforward task. But this part of the design process keeps tripping up designers, even those who started in the industry before Pink Floyd split up.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/09/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineTrade show season is wrapping up as we head into summer. Where has the time gone? I hope you all get the chance to take a vacation this year, because I know you’ve earned one. Speaking of which, when was my last vacay? If I can’t remember, it’s probably time for one. It’s been a busy week in electronics, with fallout from the back-and-forth on tariffs taking up most of the oxygen in the room. We have quite an assortment of articles and columns for you in this installment of Must-Reads. See you next time.