# PCB Assembly Mistakes Designers Keep Making: PCB West 2026 Preview

- Show: [OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack)
- Published: 2026-09-09
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 353
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview
- Listen: https://podcast.altium.com/e/pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview/

## Summary

Zach Peterson hosts Mike Buetow (PCEA), Chrys Shea (Shea Engineering), and Daniel Stanphill (Aurora Boardworks) to preview the circuit assembly track at PCB West 2026. The panel discusses common PCB design-for-manufacturing mistakes, such as using unvalidated datasheet footprints and ignoring padstack constraints, and highlights advanced assembly technologies like placing 2 kg components and 006003 passives. They also cover the importance of networking, talent acquisition, and understanding solder paste and stencil design for successful production.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=0) Introduction and Guest Bios
- [4:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=289) PCB West 2026 Assembly Track Overview
- [9:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=558) Extreme Pick-and-Place and Miniaturization
- [13:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=785) UHDI Test Vehicle and Footprint Validation
- [14:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=864) Networking and Industry Talent Shortages
- [23:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=1396) Common Design Mistakes and DFM Misconceptions
- [29:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=1797) Solder Paste, Stencils, and X-Ray Inspection
- [35:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-09-09-pcb-assembly-mistakes-designers-keep-making-pcb-west-2026-preview#t=2143) PCB West Keynotes and Closing

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- PCB West 2026 (other)
- Printed Circuit Engineering Association (company)
- Shea Engineering (company)
- Aurora Boardworks (company)
- SMTA (company)
- IPC-SM-782 (other)
- The D-Code Podcast (other)
- Mytera (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [I've bitten myself](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-05-21-ive-bitten-myself) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Two Person Rule](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-06-01-the-two-person-rule) (The Amp Hour)
- [Top 10 Product Design Mistakes You Must Avoid](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-07-05-top-10-product-design-mistakes-you-must-avoid) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [S7E2 WEBINAR: Your Manufacturer is Stupid: Why Your Circuit Board Design Is Making Their Job Harder with Chris Denney](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-01-09-s7e2-webinar-your-manufacturer-is-stupid-why-your-circuit-board-design-is-making) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

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