# Chris Denney | PCB Design, Fabrication, & Manufacturing

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2022-12-16
- Length: 1h 00m
- Episode: 48
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/chris-denney-pcb-design/

## Summary

Chris Denney, CTO at Worthington Assembly, discusses the complexities of small-volume PCB assembly, contrasting the 'one to 100 piece' prototype range with the new challenges of scaling to 10,000-piece monthly orders. He explains that while pick-and-place machines are incredibly fast, the real difficulty lies in parts management, moisture sensitivity, and avoiding common design mistakes like using non-manufacturable boards from services like OSH Park. Denney also highlights his partnership with CircuitHub, which uses software to generate instant quotes for low-volume work, allowing Worthington to focus on higher-volume production runs.

## Chapters

- [1:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing#t=96) Introduction: Chris Denney and Worthington Assembly
- [9:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing#t=557) Worthington's Sweet Spot: Prototypes vs. Scaling Volume
- [13:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing#t=790) PCB Manufacturing Equipment: Pick-and-Place Machines and SMT
- [24:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing#t=1457) Technical Challenges: Parts Management and Moisture Sensitivity
- [31:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing#t=1899) Common PCB Design Mistakes and Manufacturing Handoff
- [36:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing#t=2188) PCB Design Software: Altium, KiCad, and Cadence
- [50:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing#t=3028) Supply Chain Shifts and the CircuitHub Partnership

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Worthington Assembly (company)
- CircuitHub (company)
- Altium (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Cadence (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- OSH Park (company)
- JLC (company)
- Proto Labs (company)
- Apple (company)
- Arduino (product)
- Raspberry Pi (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Chris Denney](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-10-15-an-interview-with-chris-denney) (The Amp Hour)
- [PCB Assembly and Design for Manufacturing with Duane Benson of Screaming Circuits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [PCB Assembly Mistakes Designers Keep Making: PCB West 2026 Preview](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview) (OnTrack)
- [Bob Widlar, Electronic Design, FIRST Robotics - Monday, Meta Monday](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-03-08-bob-widlar-electronic-design-first-robotics-monday-meta-monday) (The Amp Hour)
- [92: Everybody Behave, Please](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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