-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueOpportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
Embedded Design Techniques
Our expert contributors provide the knowledge this month that designers need to be aware of to make intelligent, educated decisions about embedded design. Many design and manufacturing hurdles can trip up designers who are new to this technology.
Manufacturing Know-how
For this issue, we asked our expert contributors to share their thoughts on the absolute “must-know” aspects of fab, assembly and test that all designers should understand. In the end, we’re all in this together.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
IPC Designers Council Viewpoint: Mike Creeden
January 20, 2016 | Andy Shaughnessy, PCBDesign007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
When covering the IPC Designers Council, one quickly learns that it’s the volunteers who make the train run on time. San Diego PCB CEO Mike Creeden, CID+, is one such volunteer, and as a member of the Designers Council’s Executive Board, he was a must-have for this issue. I tracked him down and asked him to give us a rundown of his involvement with the DC, and to explain why designers might want to get involved with their local DC chapters.
Andy Shaughnessy: How and when did you get involved in the Designers Council?
Mike Creeden: Around 1993, I was presented by a fellow designer an invitation to attend a new meeting called the IPC Designers Council, which was being held at Qualcomm. I had known of IPC for most of my career of 17 years, but I did not know anything about a Designers Council. So, being curious by nature, I attended this meeting and immediately saw several fellow designers I was well acquainted with, and then I met several new people whom I still see to this day. There was some good food and it was an event outside of work, so I really started to enjoy the meeting.
What came next was profound. I was exposed to IPC standards and the value they brought to my designs, my company and ultimately my career! I saw that the charter of these meeting was to bring this education out to the designer in the workplace as a form of education. So being the naïve person I am, I asked, “What are we doing to get this message out there to those that don’t know about this Designers Council chapter?” The response was simple. “What do you think we should do and how would you like to go about it?” I was nominated as the Education board member and had the privilege to serve for several years.
Shaughnessy: What do you think are the most important benefits that the Designers Council offers designers and the industry?
Creeden: The Designers Council is a multifaceted organization and as such has been several different things to me over the years. I assume this must be true for other people as well. The primary benefit that the DC brings is improvements to the products in our industry. It does so by way of improving the knowledge base of each designer who attends and participates. The products we design become more reliable by applying the proven standards as determined by the experts in the industry, from a cross-section of the marketplace.
When we as designers bring improvements to our company, we’re recognized by our peers and by our employers. We may not always be rewarded, but as your value goes up, maybe it’s time to find a company that would recognize and reward your value. Another aspect that I mentioned earlier is the opportunity to network with others in your profession. This can be in the form of meeting old friends or making new friends. Maybe it is a time when you can learn some helpful methods to deal with technical issues or a professional response to something that was occurring in your workplace. Often, business connections and business deals can occur based on the contacts that you make through the Designers Council. When someone sees you attending, participating, and contributing in a public forum, they may become interested in services you offer, your expertise, and your ability to use it well.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the December 2015 issue of The PCB Design Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
PCBflow Helps Designers Choose Best Manufacturer for the Job
03/28/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazineI recently spoke with a few technologists who have first-hand experience with PCBflow: Susan Kayesar, technical product manager with Siemens; Evgeny Makhline, CTO of Nistec, a CEM based in Israel; and Peter Tranitz, senior director of technology solutions and leader of the IPC Design Initiative. They explain how PCBflow functions, from the designer’s and manufacturer’s viewpoint, and how this database helps break down the wall between these stakeholders.
ASMPT to Exhibit Smart Manufacturing at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
03/27/2024 | ASMPTWith its innovative, data-driven Intelligent Factory concept and a comprehensive hardware and software portfolio around SMT production, market and innovation leader ASMPT will be a major presence at the IPC APEX EXPO 2024, the industry’s main event in California.
Mycronic to Showcase More Versatile, High-productivity Assembly Solutions at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
03/27/2024 | MycronicMycronic, the leading Sweden-based electronics assembly solutions provider, will continue to respond to growing customer demand for high-flexibility, high-productivity solutions for zero-defect PCB assembly at IPC APEX EXPO 2024 in Anaheim, CA on April 9 - 11.
TRI Launches New Advanced Packaging 3D CT AXI Solution
03/26/2024 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI) proudly announces the launch of the SEMI 3D CT AXI solution, TR7600F3D SII Plus, marking a paradigm shift in precision and reliability for high-reliability electronics manufacturing, such as the Advanced Packaging Industry.
Blackfox Ready for IPC APEX EXPO 2024
03/26/2024 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007Blackfox Training Institute offers IPC-certified training for a myriad of PCB assembly techniques and standard certifications. With many technologists beginning to eye retirement, this training is at a premium. I recently spoke with Jamie Noland, director of training and education for Blackfox, about the company’s latest educational efforts, and his plans for the upcoming IPC APEX EXPO, where Blackfox will be exhibiting.