# PCB Metrology Gap: How SCAN Labs Is Automating Microsectioning

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2026-05-05
- Length: 51m
- Episode: 341
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning/

## Summary

Geoffrey Leeds, founder of SCAN Labs, explains the 'metrology gap' between semiconductor and PCB industries, detailing how his company automates microsectioning to provide high-fidelity data for high-reliability sectors. He describes a serialized grinding and imaging system that produces analyzed IPC coupons every six minutes, generating 3D digital twins and spatial analytics to replace manual, operator-dependent processes. The conversation highlights the labor shortage in skilled metrology, the limitations of non-destructive X-ray inspection, and the potential to feed standardized as-built data back into design tools like Altium and SolidWorks.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=0) Introduction: The Metrology Gap and Industry Challenges
- [1:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=74) SCAN Labs Background and Consulting Origins
- [8:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=532) The Problem: Manual Microsectioning and Labor Shortages
- [13:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=824) Automated Solution: Serialized Grinding and Imaging
- [19:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=1140) Learning from Semiconductor Metrology and Materials
- [26:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=1572) Investment Barriers and Pricing Model
- [34:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=2085) Apex Demo: Non-Destructive and Destructive Analysis
- [42:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=2542) AI, LLMs, and the Limits of Automation
- [47:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-05-05-pcb-metrology-gap-how-scan-labs-is-automating-microsectioning#t=2858) Standardizing Metrology Data for Design Tools

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- SCAN Labs (company)
- In Selectro (company)
- Leeds Engineering (company)
- Allied High Tech (company)
- IPC (other)
- Altium (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- HFSS (tool)
- FIB-SEM (tool)
- SEM (tool)
- X-ray (tool)

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## Citing this page

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