# Breaking Down Electronics Manufacturing with Jay Patel

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2025-12-23
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 327
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel/

## Summary

Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, an EMS provider in Michigan, discusses the transition from prototyping to volume production, emphasizing the critical role of supply chain risk analysis and the shift of component manufacturers like Texas Instruments selling directly to OEMs. He highlights Amtech's use of vapor phase reflow and AI-based inspection to ensure quality in high-mix, mid-volume production, while explaining how Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) rules help reduce costs and defects. Patel also addresses the industry's lack of standardized data formats, advocating for the adoption of IPC-2581 to streamline communication between designers, EMS providers, and PCB fabricators.

## Chapters

- [0:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel#t=46) Introduction and Amtech Background
- [4:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel#t=260) EMS vs. Prototype Shops and Supply Chain
- [9:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel#t=592) Supply Chain Risks and Direct Sales
- [17:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel#t=1022) DFM/DFA and Vapor Phase Reflow
- [23:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel#t=1394) Quality Control and Testing Challenges
- [27:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-12-23-breaking-down-electronics-manufacturing-with-jay-patel#t=1673) Data Standardization and IPC-2581

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Amtech (company)
- Digi-Key (company)
- Mouser (company)
- Newark (company)
- Jabil (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- Analog Devices (company)
- Apple (company)
- IPC-2581 (other)
- ODB++ (other)
- Siemens (company)
- JLCPCB (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 8 | From Prototype to Market: Design for Manufacturability with Untapped Engineering Resources](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2020-08-25-ep-8-from-prototype-to-market-design-for-manufacturability-with-untapped-enginee) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Navigating the Complexities of EMS Leadership and Growth with Amtech CEO Jay Patel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-26-navigating-the-complexities-of-ems-leadership-and-growth-with-amtech-ceo-jay-pat) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [The Only Thing That Has Changed is Everything: A Conversation with Amtech CEO Jay Patel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-05-09-the-only-thing-that-has-changed-is-everything-a-conversation-with-amtech-ceo-jay) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [How PTG Electronics Wins in Low Volume, High Mix, Mid-Complexity Manufacturing, with CEO Nick Wasserman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2026-07-07-how-ptg-electronics-wins-in-low-volume-high-mix-mid-complexity-manufacturing-wit) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [What's In A Name?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-08-07-whats-in-a-name) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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