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Build Better 2024 Summit: Creating a Vision for Future Tech
October 18, 2024 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The morning portion kicked off with “The Apple Way, the Motorola Way and the Next Way,” which was described as, “There are lots of ‘ways’ to do electronics NPI and manufacturing. Motorola gave us EVT, DVT, and PVT and Apple gave us execution at scale. What are the core lessons of these methodologies and how are modern organizations honoring or breaking them?” An interesting panel discussion ensued with Zach Scott, head of hardware at Backbone, Matt Hill, senior of device engineering at Snap Inc., and Felix Alvarez, manager of Second Order Effects. Their words were simple but wise: Learn from history but don’t be limited by it; the key to success is continuous, deep learning throughout your career; and (my personal favorite) don’t play by the rules that others have set out for you. Don’t be afraid to take a chance.
In another presentation, Sapana Talwaker, VP of hardware operations at Toast, spoke about scaling manufacturing, and was asked how she defines operational excellence. She responded that operational excellence occurs when operations are closely aligned with the organization’s objectives, when continuous improvement is built into the system, and when it can react and adapt as needed. She cited adaptability as perhaps the single most important characteristic for operational excellence in “the next way.” Toast is a POS platform, which is largely a software product. Talwaker underscored the importance of hardware in a software-focused world, “Hardware is an enabler product for Toast,” she said. Being out of stock is not an option, as it means missing out on much greater revenue opportunities. The two are inextricably linked. One simply does not work without the other—hinting at our industry’s own, “silicon to systems” approach to discussing chips and packaging.
Valentina Ratner, co-founder of AllSpice.io, a collaborative platform for engineers developing new products, gave a presentation on a survey titled “The State of Hardware 2025: 1,000 Engineers on Trends, Challenges, and Toolsets,” which provided data about the things we were pretty sure we already knew.
The greatest challenge for engineers over the past year has been shrinking product development cycles and deadlines. They have spent too many hours a week troubleshooting problems, although it’s probably the most helpful skill making someone a more efficient and effective engineer. In both the latter scenarios, it was pointed out how specific software tools can add tremendous value. Interestingly, they cited the feeling that only 25% of software, hardware, PCB, and firmware companies collaborate effectively. I also found it interesting, especially in view of ever-shrinking product development cycle times, was that 48% of the 1,000 engineers surveyed said they did between three to five iterations per product prior to release. From the conference, it was clear that hardware manufacturing is changing and the integration of high-level software tools that incorporate sophisticated AI functionality will be a very significant part of “the next way” for manufacturing. This is not groundbreaking knowledge for sure, but it is always interesting to see how the varied electronics industry is taking the same language and headed in the same overall direction.
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AEMS: Expanding Del Mar’s Vibe into Anaheim
10/21/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineIn the final hours of the Anaheim Electronics & Manufacturing Show (AEMS), I spoke with show managers Doug Bodenstab and Connor Good. Doug, a longtime surfer, is also the founder and manager of the Del Mar Electronics & Manufacturing Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. I asked Doug and Connor to discuss how the Anaheim show got started and the impact it’s making on the industry.
Open House in Salem Strengthens Zollner's Global Presence
10/21/2024 | Zollner Elektronik AGDuring the event on October 15, 2024, guests had the opportunity to explore the new facility and gain exclusive insights into Zollner's growth in the U.S. and strategic expansion plans.
GPV: Business Development Management Summit 2024
10/18/2024 | GPVLast week, the first of three Business Development Management (BDM) Summits was held in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Optimizing mSAP to Produce Flex for Biofluid Sensor Probes
10/17/2024 | Dean Neuburger, Sheldahl Flexible TechnologiesImprovements in flexible printed circuitry technology offer solutions that enable advancement in other technologies, enabling new circuit design and capability possibilities for customers’ applications. This article will overview advancements developed and implemented to produce a flexible circuit that meets new and challenging requirements for a customer’s medical application. This discussion will highlight development ideas more than details about the final processing scheme.
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘The Wizard and the Warrior: Leading with Passion and Power’
10/16/2024 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: Dan's Biz BookshelfThe fact that this book talks about different styles of leadership and helps you define and identify the types of leaders is what makes it interesting. Here are two names you’ve likely never heard in the same sentence: Richard Nixon and Mother Teresa. They both did a lot of good—arguably Mother Teresa more than Nixon and perhaps on a smaller stage—but they each had a dark side. I think we all know about Nixon’s dark side. Although a brilliant strategist, he was practically devoured by demons of small-mindedness—paranoia that led to his demise.