Pick, Place, Podcast

CircuitHub and Worthington

The Pick, Place, Podcast is a show where we talk about electronics manufacturing and everything related to getting a circuit board into the world. Join hosts Chris Denney from Worthington and Melissa Hough from CircuitHub as they discuss the pcb assembly process, design tips that will make your manufacturer love you, and talk to industry guests.

  1. 3d ago

    Gloves not Mittens

    In this episode Chris and Melissa dig into one of Chris’s favorite PCB design topics: pocket masking vs. gang masking on fine-pitch components. Chris explains why solder mask slivers matter, how PCB design tools can accidentally create manufacturability problems, and what designers can do to help prevent solder bridging during assembly. The discussion covers solder mask expansion, registration tolerances, stencil printing, pick-and-place placement pressure, and why “gloves, not mittens” is the mental model to remember. The episode also opens with a few updates, including Chris becoming a Certified Electronics Program Manager and CircuitHub announcing a $28 million raise from Plural Ventures. TL;DR:  For fine-pitch components, especially 0.5 mm pitch and smaller, pay close attention to your solder mask expansion. Chris’s rule of thumb: Start checking at 0.5 mm pitch or smallerAim for 10 mil spacing between copper pads, edge-to-edgeReserve 3 mil for solder mask registration on each sidePreserve a 4 mil solder mask sliver between padsIn metric, that means roughly:0.25 mm copper-to-copper spacing0.075 mm registration allowance on each side0.1 mm solder mask sliverIf space is tight, Chris recommends trimming the copper lands slightly rather than sacrificing the solder mask sliver. The sliver is what helps prevent solder from bridging between pads during printing, placement, and reflow. The short version: protect the solder mask sliver. Gloves, not mittens. pickplacepodcast.com

    37 min

  2. May 4

    Back from the Dead and Back from APEX

    In this episode, Chris and Melissa return after a long break with a recap of Chris’s trip to APEX. They discuss customer visits, EMS management meetings, the value of trade shows, and why x-ray inspection is becoming such a big topic in PCB assembly. Chris also talks about AI, reusable checklists, his new Feeder Pugs project, and the time a hotel accidentally drilled into his room. Melissa closes things out with a pet peeve about signs that block traffic visibility. pickplacepodcast.com

    51 min

  3. 10/06/2025

    Smarter Test Plans for Inevitable Failures w/ Blue Clover CEO & Co-founder, Pete Staples

    Chris and Melissa welcome Pete Staples, CEO & co-founder of Blue Clover Devices, for a deep dive into how to plan tests, capture evidence, and debug those mysterious boards that look perfect but don’t work.  Topics include: Who is Blue Clover Devices & what’s the PLT? Bed-of-nails, ICT, flying probe, and PLTWhat assemblers really need when a board failsProduction test vs. validationUpdates on the Stick It Up Your Tube movementBen the BeaverLinks & resources Blue Clover Devices — Production Line Tool (PLT). Blue Clover DevicesPLT Reference Docs (test plans, reports, hardware reference). docs.pltcloud.com+1Blue Clover — Design-for-Test (DFT) Guide (request the PDF). Blue Clover Devicespickplacepodcast.com

    1h 21m

  4. 08/25/2025

    Inevitable Failures

    After a long break (and a few listener wellness checks!), Chris and Melissa return to catch up on what’s kept them busy and share some updates from around the industry. Then, they dive into this episode’s big topic: who’s responsible for the inevitable fallout when it comes to quick-turn PCB assembly? Topics include: Catching up after six months of growth, hiring, and trainingAndrew Seddon’s appearance on The Amp Hour — and how it ties back to the origins of this podcastIPC’s rebrand to the Global Electronics AssociationThe ongoing saga of stuck parts in tubes (a.k.a. “Stick It Up Your Tube”)Quick-turn fallout:Why some customers expect and accept a small percentage of failuresWhy others demand 100% working boardsHow assembly shops handle each scenario (good, bad, and ugly approaches)Practical tips for managing fallout: thermal cycling, batch troubleshooting, and respectful customer–assembler relationshipsPet Peeve of the Week: LinkedIn (and why it feels so weird)Links & Resources Andrew Seddon on The Amp Hour: CircuitHub 12 Years Later IPC rebrand: Global Electronics Association announcement LinkedIn post – stuck part in a tube LinkedIn post – sustainability rant pickplacepodcast.com

    51 min

  5. 03/01/2025

    Meet up with Chris in California!

    Chris will be in California and would love to meet up with anyone interested. He will be in the San Francisco Bay Area March 11 - March 14 and the Los Angeles/Anaheim area March 16 - March 20.  Email us at contact@pickplacepodcast.com and we'll try to make something happen!  pickplacepodcast.com

    2 min

  6. 02/17/2025

    IPC's Leadership on Sustainability in Electronics w/ Dr. John W. Mitchell and Dr. Kelly Scanlon

    In this insightful episode, we delve deep into the pressing issues of sustainability within the electronics manufacturing industry with IPC President and CEO, Dr. John W. Mitchell, and Dr. Kelly Scanlon, IPC's lead sustainability strategist.  They offer expert insights into how IPC is leading the charge toward more sustainable practices, the importance of data and harmonization in policy-making, and the challenges facing the industry today. Our discussion also highlights practical steps manufacturers can take to contribute to a greener future and how IPC's resources can guide these efforts. If you're interested in learning more about sustainability or getting involved with IPC's initiatives can visit IPC.org for further information and support. pickplacepodcast.com

    1h 10m

  7. 01/27/2025

    Innovations in Motorsport Sensor Technology with Caleb Holloway of Izze Racing

    In this episode, join us as we continue our exploration into the high-speed world of motorsport sensor technology with Caleb Holloway, founder of Izze Racing. Caleb delves into the complexities of antenna design, the challenges of RF engineering in the demanding environment of racing, and the innovative solutions his team has developed to enhance data accuracy on the track. From whip antennas to the nuances of sensor integration on racing vehicles, learn how cutting-edge technology is driving performance and safety in motorsports.  pickplacepodcast.com

    1h 2m

  8. 01/13/2025

    The Challenges of Motorsport Sensor Design with Izze Racing Founder, Caleb Holloway

    After a bit of a break we are back with a new, exciting episode! This week we are joined by Caleb Holloway, founder and owner of Izze Racing. Izze Racing provides electronics sensors, with an emphasis on tire data collection, to the motorsport industry. In the first part of this conversation, we delve into Caleb's transition from academia to running his passion company full-time, what's it like designing a product for the motor racing industry, and some unique challenges he has faced.  pickplacepodcast.com

    43 min
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Trailer

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About

The Pick, Place, Podcast is a show where we talk about electronics manufacturing and everything related to getting a circuit board into the world. Join hosts Chris Denney from Worthington and Melissa Hough from CircuitHub as they discuss the pcb assembly process, design tips that will make your manufacturer love you, and talk to industry guests.

Information

  • Creator
    CircuitHub and Worthington
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pick, Place, Podcast
  • Show Website
    Pick, Place, Podcast

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