Aurora Boardworks

09/24/2026

[ 🚨 PCB West Preview ALERT ]

The D-Code Podcast team sits down with Chrys Shea and Mike Buetow for the inside scoop on what to expect at PCB West 2026.

09:30 Don't Hate the Design, Hate the Stencil
10:49 Chrys' PDC on Data-Driven Qualification
15:50 Curating an Engaging Lineup of Speakers
18:05 The Kids Are Alright

🎧 https://bit.ly/3UWa1Uh

And, don't miss Elias Malfavon and our own Daniel Stanphill speaking (aka dropping some wit and wisdom) during the Assembly Tracks!

Drop a 👍🏼 in the comments if we'll be seeing you in Santa Clarita!

09/21/2026

Vendor: "It'll be there on time."
Also Vendor: 👻

Predictability isn't a promise. It's a track record.

09/18/2026

Sometimes the difference between efficient production and a cost problem is a few millimeters.

When through-hole components are placed too close to surface mount parts, selective soldering is off the table. That means hand soldering — slower, more expensive, and harder to scale.

Caught early enough, it's a conversation with the designer. Move things a little. Create some space. Problem solved before it becomes a pricing surprise.

Caught late? It's just a cost you didn't plan for.

The details that don't seem critical in design become very critical on the floor.

09/17/2026

By the time a component doesn't fit the footprint, you're already in trouble!

We recently reviewed a job and caught physical fit concerns — components selected didn't match the board's design files.

🚨 No alarm, no emergency. Just a conversation with the customer: here's what we're seeing, here are your options.

Update the design files. Or accept the risk with full knowledge of what it means.

That's the difference between a flag caught at review and a problem discovered mid-build. One gives you choices. The other gives you delays.

Gives the term 'physically fit' a whole new meaning. ;-)

09/14/2026

Component pricing and lead times can change dramatically, and faster than you can say "we'll figure out sourcing later."

The worst time to discover a component is hard to source is AFTER your project is underway. By then, your options are expensive, slow, or both.

The CMs that protect your project aren't just assembling boards — they're identifying sourcing risks before they become your problem. Finding alternatives while you still have time to make good decisions.

That's what early involvement actually looks like.

Your future self, your boss, and your production team will thank you!

09/11/2026

Most design engineers never think about panelization. Most CMs never bring it up.

That's how a layout decision made in five minutes on day one turns into a cost that shows up on every single production run after it.

It's not a design detail. It's a lever — and whoever controls it early controls a piece of the cost structure downstream.

https://bit.ly/4cVkuWb

The design layout has been prepared and the components and placement determined. What’s the next step on the way to seeing the final production of your design? Your contract manufacturer is the partner that will move the process along. What you know about the manufacturing process will improve man...

09/10/2026

“Only out of the mouth of babes,” as they say…or in this case, the Godfather of SMT, Phil Marcoux!

This feels like a mashup of know-how, inspo, and stories that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Tune in to this episode of The D-Code Podcast and learn from the Master, https://bit.ly/3UDHbb3

-The Role of AI in Electronics Manufacturing
-Fears Observed Around AI
-The Birth of Surface Mount Technology
-Early Pick and Place Technology
-Glue And Wave Solder
-Flip Chips and Chicklets
-Bold Predictions Gone Bad
-Empathy in Engineering
-Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers

You’re welcome!

When we started rolling at Apex to talk to Phil, we didn't want to ...

09/08/2026

I love feeling vulnerable at the beginning of a project! (said no one ever)

Fortunately, when you team up with us, you can breathe a sigh of relief!

Let’s go 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼-𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙞...

First, she checks the entire BOM for vulnerabilities:
…Are there any components that have been marked obsolete?
…Are there any without enough inventory immediately available?
…Is there a chance, based on the estimated annual usage, that in 6 months you won’t be able to find any parts unless you find an acceptable alternate?

Lead times are varying constantly and staying on top of them before it causes a shortage for customers is critical.

09/03/2026

Aurora Boardworks proudly sponsored and participated in the Aurora Chamber of Commerce 2026 Golf Classic

Tiger Woods wasn't there, but these members of the 𝘼-𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙢 showed up and may or may not have remembered to yell, F-O-U-R! ⛳️

Rich
Dan
Gary
Pat
Monty
Foster
Barb
Jonathan
Jamie (not pictured)

09/01/2026

"𝙸𝚝 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝟸𝟶 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚍 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚞𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚝𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚝." — 𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚗 𝙱𝚞𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚝

Manufacturing leaders know this better than most.

One surprise shipment. One quality failure at final test. One delivery date nobody saw coming. That's all it takes.

The CMs that earn long-term partnerships aren't the ones who never have problems. They're the ones who never let problems become surprises.

That's the difference!