# Ergs Per Second

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2018-11-11
- Length: 1h 11m
- Episode: 415
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/415-ergs-per-second/

## Summary

Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics and Dave Jones of EEVblog discuss recent conference highlights, including Ben Krasnow’s circuit-on-plastic technology and Robert Nelson’s thermal projection hack. They dive deep into the engineering of thin and flex PCBs, noting how reduced dielectric thickness allows for narrower traces while maintaining impedance, and the complexities of rigid-flex assembly. The conversation shifts to practical manufacturing challenges, with Gammell detailing his struggles using a Neoden 4 pick-and-place machine, specifically regarding Z-height calibration and panel warping, while Jones explains the necessity of custom carriers for large panels. Finally, they touch on Jones’s decision to switch from an extruded to a die-cast case for his Micro Supply to simplify assembly and improve thermal management.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second#t=0) Introduction: Supercon highlights and Ben Krasnow's circuit-on-plastic
- [5:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second#t=330) Flex PCBs: Thinness, impedance, and rigid-flex interconnects
- [18:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second#t=1130) Prototyping: 3D printed cases, battery swelling, and Robert Nelson's thermal hack
- [26:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second#t=1607) Case Design: Ninja Blocks failure and Micro Supply die-cast decision
- [39:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second#t=2396) Assembly: Neoden 4 pick-and-place calibration and panelization pitfalls
- [53:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second#t=3214) Lab Operations: Moving, organization, and solar panel economics

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Contextual Electronics (company)
- EEVblog (company)
- Ben Krasnow (other)
- Neoden 4 (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- Altium (tool)
- Ninja Blocks (product)
- Micro Supply (product)
- Robert Nelson (other)
- Grid-Eye (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [92: Everybody Behave, Please](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please) (Embedded.fm)
- [Chris Denney | PCB Design, Fabrication, & Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing) (Being an Engineer)
- [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)
- [Students Tackle PCB Design Challenge: From Schematic to Robot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-09-16-students-tackle-pcb-design-challenge-from-schematic-to-robot) (OnTrack)
- [322: Learn Assembly Code](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-28-322-learn-assembly-code) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-11-ergs-per-second. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.