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Fresh PCB Concepts: The Power of a Lunch & Learn for PCB Professionals

In the electronics industry, innovation isn’t simply a competitive edge, it’s a survival strategy. For those working in printed circuit board (PCB) design, engineering, procurement, and quality control, staying informed and connected is key to creating high-performance, cost-effective, and manufacturable products. Enter the Lunch & Learn—a simple yet highly effective format for professional development offering technical insights in short, informal sessions (served with lunch).

These sessions, presented by field application engineers (FAEs), help teams avoid costly design mistakes, understand new and emerging PCB technologies, and keep their products reliable from the prototype to full-scale production. Here’s why PCB designers, electrical engineers, purchasing agents, and quality control specialists should participate in these sessions:

The Most Productive Hour of Your Day

Lunch & Learn sessions last 60–90 minutes. You’ll learn to sharpen your skills, ask questions about current challenges, and walk away with practical tools you can use immediately. NCAB Group’s FAEs share examples from the field, success stories, and cautionary tales that help bridge the gap between theory and practice, whether you’re trying to reduce costs, streamline design, or improve reliability.

Tailored Content for Every Role in the PCB Lifecycle

While many technical presentations lean heavily toward engineering, the best Lunch & Learns benefit professionals across the product lifecycle:

• PCB designers gain access to proven design tips, layout strategies, and mistake-avoidance tools.
• Electrical engineers better understand how design decisions influence manufacturing processes and long-term reliability.
• Purchasing professionals discover what drives PCB costs and how smarter sourcing choices can affect both budget and sustainability.
• Quality control specialists benefit from learning about failure modes, inspection techniques, and designing with manufacturability in mind.

These sessions foster greater alignment, better communication, and faster decision-making across your organization.

Real-Time Access to Field Application Engineers 

The FAEs are experts with years of hands-on experience in both PCB fabrication and design-for-manufacturing (DFM). That means you’re not just learning theory; you’re receiving context-rich advice from professionals who’ve solved the very challenges your team may be facing.

Have a board that keeps failing inspection? A prototype that’s blowing your cost expectations? Want to reduce time to market? The Q&A portion of each Lunch & Learn offers actionable, situation-specific advice.

Cross-Team Engagement Builds Organizational Strength

In many companies, there’s a communication gap between design, procurement, and quality teams. A Lunch & Learn allows all stakeholders to discuss the same issues with the same data, resulting in better decisions, fewer surprises, and a more unified approach to product development. These sessions also create a shared language and knowledge base, allowing for more productive collaboration.

A No-cost, High-value Investment

NCAB Group presents the Lunch & Learns sessions at no cost to your team. It provides the presentation, the materials, the expertise, and yes, the lunch. It’s a high-value, low-commitment opportunity to improve team performance and product outcomes with no off-site training, budget approvals, or travel planning.

The Bottom Line

In a field as complex and fast-developing as PCB design and manufacturing, continuous education is essential. NCAB Group’s Lunch & Learn sessions offer a practical, engaging, and zero-cost way to stay ahead of the curve. Bring your appetite for both food and knowledge, and walk away with tools, tips, and strategies to elevate your next PCB project.

Bon appétit, and happy designing!

Michael Marshall is a field applications engineer with NCAB Group.