Reliability Matters
Reliability Matters is a podcast on the subject of reliability of circuit assemblies. Reliability "best practices" and success stories are discussed. This podcast features interviews with experts in the electronic assembly industry.
All electronic production segments which effect product reliability are on the table. This includes contamination, coating, cleanliness assessment, inspection, building for harsh environments, reflow, printing, failure analysis, board fabrication, and much more.
Your Host:
Mike Konrad began his career in the electronic assembly equipment industry in 1985. Mike founded Aqueous Technologies in 1992 in response to the Montreal Protocol and the resulting international treaty banning most popular cleaning/defluxing solvents.
Mike is an internationally known speaker on the subject of increasing reliability through contamination removal and cleanliness quantification techniques and procedures. Mike was awarded “Distinguish Speaker Status” with SMTA in 2018 and received the “Rich Freiberger Best of Conference Award” in 2019.
Mike is a member of the SMTA Global Board of Directors where he is Vice President of Communications. Mike is also Vice President of Technical Programs for the Los Angeles / Orange County SMTA Chapter.
Visit the Reliability Matters Podcast Website:
https://www.reliabilitymatterspodcast.com
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Average duration
- 54 minutes
- Episodes
- 181
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Humidity: Small Cause, Huge Reliability Risk with Viktoria Rawinski - Episode 177
On this episode of Reliability Matters, we’re diving into a deceptively simple but incredibly important topic, humidity, and the massive impact it can have on electronic assembly reliability.
Joining …
Joining …
00:48:23 |
Tue 09 Sep 2025
War Stories from the Line: Phil Zarrow & Jim Hall Talk Reliability - Episode 175
Today, I’m joined by two of the most respected names in the electronics manufacturing industry, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall. Together, they bring decades of hands-on experience and unparalleled insight …
00:58:15 |
Tue 26 Aug 2025
AI in PCB Design - It's Already Here! With David Wiens & Stephen Chavez, Siemens EDA. Episode 174
In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s rapidly reshaping our industry: Artificial Intelligence in PCB Design. Far from a futuristic concept, AI is already being integrated into advanced de…
01:03:09 |
Tue 12 Aug 2025
Improving the Reliability of Public EV Chargers with ChargerHelp! Co-Founder & CEO, Kamale Terry
As the electric vehicle market accelerates, the reliability of the charging infrastructure becomes increasingly vital. Chargers that are down or malfunctioning can hinder adoption and erode consumer …
00:47:50 |
Tue 22 Jul 2025
Episode 172: From Chaos to Control: Steering ERP Projects Back on Track with Chintan Sutaria
Today we're diving into a topic that keeps many executives awake at night—ERP implementations. More specifically, why so many of them fail and, perhaps more importantly, how to fix them midstream bef…
00:46:41 |
Tue 08 Jul 2025
Pick & Place Machine Selection and Optimization with Hanwha Semitech Americas CEO, Tim Kang - Episode #171
Today we're turning our attention to a cornerstone of modern electronics manufacturing: pick and place technology.
Joining me is Tim Kang, CEO of Hanwha Semitech Americas. With nearly two decades of e…
Joining me is Tim Kang, CEO of Hanwha Semitech Americas. With nearly two decades of e…
00:52:38 |
Tue 24 Jun 2025
Episode 170: Reliability, Safety, and Human Impact: The DMR Approach with Dheeraj Narang
Today we're exploring a concept that has deep roots in process safety and infrastructure management, but also has meaningful applications in electronics manufacturing: Damage Mechanism Reviews, or DM…
00:40:45 |
Fri 13 Jun 2025
Reliability Matters on the Road in Anaheim California at the IPC APEX Expo - Episode 169
On this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast, I left my usual studio for the IPC APEX Expo in Anaheim California.
I interviewed two subject matter experts on topics related to electronic assembl…
I interviewed two subject matter experts on topics related to electronic assembl…
00:29:33 |
Tue 27 May 2025
Reliability Matters on the Road in Anaheim California at the IPC APEX Expo - Episode 168
On this episode of the Reliability Matters podcast, I left my usual studio for the IPC APEX Expo in Anaheim California.
I interviewed three subject matter experts on various topics related to electron…
I interviewed three subject matter experts on various topics related to electron…
00:35:12 |
Tue 13 May 2025
Episode 167: Meet the Press: A Conversation with Journalist and PCEA President, Mike Buetow
Today, we’re diving deep into the world of electronics manufacturing from a unique vantage point—that of the press.
My guest today is someone who has spent decades at the forefront of reporting on t…
My guest today is someone who has spent decades at the forefront of reporting on t…
00:56:19 |
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Electronics: Down Memory Lane and a Vision for the Future - Episode 166
This episode is a little different in two ways. First, I didn’t record it in my studio. I recorded it at the SMTA Pan Pacific strategic Electronics symposium, affectionately known as PanPac, in beaut…
00:39:39 |
Tue 08 Apr 2025
Stencil Design and Manufacturing Best Practices with Elias Malfavon Jr.
Today, we’re putting the spotlight on a critical component in surface mount technology, the stencil.
These precision-engineered tools are the unsung heroes of electronic assembly, playing a pivotal r…
These precision-engineered tools are the unsung heroes of electronic assembly, playing a pivotal r…
00:59:45 |
Tue 25 Mar 2025
AI Integrated Supply Chain Management Software with Sebastian Schaal
Today, we're tackling a topic that has become increasingly vital in recent years: supply chain management.
With global supply chains recently under immense pressure from disruptions, shortages, and g…
With global supply chains recently under immense pressure from disruptions, shortages, and g…
00:57:37 |
Tue 11 Mar 2025
Battery Selection and Safety Best Practices with Alex Norman
Today we’re diving into a critical yet sometimes overlooked component that powers so many of the devices we rely on: batteries. Batteries are the heartbeat of countless electronic products, from medi…
01:02:09 |
Tue 25 Feb 2025
Electronics Testing Best Practices with Robert Boguski- Episode 162
On this episode, we’ll dive into the world of electronics testing with an expert within the electronics testing industry, Robert Boguski, President and Owner of Datest.
Robert brings 44 years of exp…
Robert brings 44 years of exp…
01:09:36 |
Tue 11 Feb 2025
AI-Based Inspection Technologies with Priyansha Bagaria - Episode 161
Today, we’re exploring a transformative topic: AI-based inspection technologies.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we detect, analyze, and address defects in the electronics assembly pr…
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing how we detect, analyze, and address defects in the electronics assembly pr…
01:03:46 |
Tue 28 Jan 2025
Opportunities and Challenges within the EV Industry - Episode 160
Today, we’re diving into one of the most transformative innovations of our time: electric vehicles and the vast infrastructure needed to support their growth.
Joining us is Brian O’Leary, Global Head…
Joining us is Brian O’Leary, Global Head…
01:10:50 |
Tue 14 Jan 2025
2024 Season Wrap-Up of the Reliability Matters Podcast - Episode 159
Today we’re celebrating the end of another incredible year.
This isn’t just any episode—it’s a time to reflect on the journey we’ve been on together, highlight some milestones, and share a heartfelt …
This isn’t just any episode—it’s a time to reflect on the journey we’ve been on together, highlight some milestones, and share a heartfelt …
00:08:41 |
Tue 24 Dec 2024
Episode 158: The New Kids in Town - The Cast of the D-Code Podcast
Today, I’m excited to introduce the hosts of the D-Code podcast, a dynamic trio of young professionals making waves in the electronics manufacturing industry.
With experience rooted in contract manuf…
With experience rooted in contract manuf…
01:03:05 |
Tue 10 Dec 2024
Episode 157: What's On Your Workbench? Critical Steps to Avoid Contamination of PCA's During the Rework Process
On today’s episode, we’ll be exploring the critical steps to avoid contamination on circuit assemblies during the rework process with our expert guest, Gayle Towell.
Gayle is the Content Marketing Sp…
Gayle is the Content Marketing Sp…
01:05:42 |
Tue 26 Nov 2024
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are the property of Mike Konrad. This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by eachpod.com.