# Electronics Manufacturing History with David Ray

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2026-02-26
- Length: 1h 02m
- Episode: 716
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/716-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray/

## Summary

David Ray, founder of Cyber City Circuits, details his journey from electronics hobbyist to running a high-mix contract manufacturing business in Augusta, Georgia. He discusses the operational realities of managing Charm High pick-and-place machines, the critical importance of using frame stencils and GC 10 solder paste, and the financial pitfalls of selling soldering kits. Ray also shares insights on sourcing equipment, emphasizing the risks of buying used AOI machines, and highlights his work in reverse engineering and DFM consulting for small businesses and startups.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=0) Introduction: David Ray and Cyber City Circuits
- [5:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=354) Ray's Background and Starting Cyber City Circuits
- [14:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=867) Equipment Strategy: Charm High Machines and Stencils
- [20:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=1217) Solder Paste Quality: GC 10 vs. Cheap Alternatives
- [30:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=1804) History Writing: Fluke, Op Amps, and John Fluke
- [43:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=2627) Lessons from Buying Used AOI Equipment
- [54:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=3298) Reverse Engineering and Obsolescence Management
- [1:00:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-02-26-electronics-manufacturing-history-with-david-ray#t=3642) Conclusion: Marketing, YouTube, and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Cyber City Circuits (company)
- Charm High (tool)
- GC 10 (material)
- Fluke (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- Brother (company)
- AliExpress (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [123: Banished from Running Linux](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-28-123-banished-from-running-linux) (Embedded.fm)
- [062 - Keymap Rain Dance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-12-30-062-keymap-rain-dance) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [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)
- [407: Boards Are Like Sandwiches](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-03-24-407-boards-are-like-sandwiches) (Embedded.fm)
- [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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