This week Parker and Stephen welcome Joe Grand to the show to discuss insecure IoT devices. Inspired by a recent incident where Bosch wrenches were infected by ransomware called DRILLCRYPT, the guys asked Joe to join them to talk about how attackers could compromise the safety of the wrench and cause safety issues for users. Of course, this kind of breach could impact almost any company and its products, and so many topics were covered, including: “Actually, it’s Dr. Grand…” If you’re in attack ...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 414
This week Parker and Stephen welcome Kent Johnson to the show to discuss ethics in engineering. It’s a topic that has been alluded to over the course of Circuit Break, but this is the first time Parker and Stephen have delved into it with a real expert on the matter. Yes, most companies have standards and regulations and a moral code that guide them but, as Kent suggests, there are more ethical gray areas in the realm of engineering than we might realize. Topics covered here include: Discovering...
Jan 16, 2024•57 min•Ep. 413
A recent Circuit Break Community thread about K-map design inspired a tangential conversation about how well certain subjects are taught in college. Parker and Stephen love a good tangent, thank you, and so they dug in by recalling their own experiences at school with excellent professors who clearly wanted electrical engineers to succeed, while other instructors and their teaching methods were challenging or else just downright bizarre. Other topics covered here include: How a terrible electron...
Jan 09, 2024•50 min•Ep. 412
This week Parker and Stephen welcome James Lewis back to the show after a rather long absence! The occasion stems from James chiming in on a Circuit Break Community thread that Stephen started, asking all about component aging effects. Stephen posed questions like, “What happens to resistors over 5 years? How about 20 years? Are there rules of thumb or better yet, calculations for aging?” And helpful engineer that he is, James got in there and tried to provide some answers before agreeing to app...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 411
Not unlike Han Solo emerging from cryosleep, the annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special is back! Parker and Stephen welcome Josh Rozier, Chris Kraft, and Hyr0n to Circuit Break for a wide-ranging discussion covering at least the following about the Star Wars universe: The Most Ingenious Pieces of Technology in Star Wars The Most Underrated Characters Favorite (and Most Profound) Star Wars Quotes Personal picks for cool lightsaber functions Do Star Wars ships and vehicles ever need gas? Medi...
Dec 26, 2023•2 hr 47 min•Ep. 410
Parker and Stephen discuss a recent news story about how car manufacturers are increasing their focus on Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) which are cars that use more software instead of physical components to control vehicle functions. This prompted a comparison between SDVs and Drive-by-Wire or DbW technology in the automotive industry, which is the use of electronic or electro-mechanical systems in place of mechanical linkages that control driving functions, how DbW relates to Fly-by-Wire tec...
Dec 19, 2023•55 min•Ep. 409
Parker and Stephen welcome Pete Staples, the CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Clover Devices, to the show! Staples founded Blue Clover in 2003 to explore ways to make the electronics industry more efficient. Prior to that, he worked as a systems engineer at Boeing Satellite Systems in El Segundo near LAX. Blue Clover continues to hone their processes to eliminate waste and provide the best value for their clients. In 2018, those efforts culminated in the release of Blue Clover’s Production Line Tool (...
Dec 12, 2023•56 min•Ep. 408
Parker and Stephen discuss a recent article exploring how electrostatic discharge damage isn’t the only kind of static hazard your digital designs can face and possible solutions to such problems, a recent report that CHIPS for America published, entitled “The Vision for the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program” (NAPMP), which elaborates on goals and investment areas to establish U.S. leadership in advanced packaging and provide the technology needed for packaging manufacturing in t...
Dec 05, 2023•56 min•Ep. 407
Parker and Stephen welcome JITX CEO and Co-founder, Dr. Duncan Haldane, to the show to discuss his company, which is a code-powered PCB design platform that aims to revolutionize circuit board design by integrating automation with human expertise. Prior to co-founding JITX, Dr. Haldane was responsible for a “hyper-aggressive pogo-stick” robot called Salto-1P. After discovering just how much work went into designing Salto-1P, Duncan was inspired to start JITX, because he wanted a better way to de...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 406
Parker and Stephen discuss the fact that physical limitations of shrinking process nodes are leading to new advancements in silicon interposers and enabling 2.5D packaging architectures, which is making 3D packaging possible, plus an exploration of what ChatGPT is and isn’t capable of, in terms of it answering our questions and whether or not it matters that it can’t draw upon its own experiences to relate to us, like say, wanting to have a beer sometimes. Plus, much more! Relevant links: Why 3D...
Nov 21, 2023•46 min•Ep. 405
Parker and Stephen speak with Paul V. McEnroe, an award-winning engineer who developed multiple state-of-the-art technologies during his long career, including more than two decades in leadership roles at IBM. McEnroe is best known for his primary role in developing the Universal Product Code (UPC), the barcode used on every product in supermarkets and the retail industry, and the scanners that read them. In 2023, the barcode celebrates its 50th anniversary but now Paul is setting the record str...
Nov 14, 2023•55 min•Ep. 404
Parker and Stephen check in with the new Circuit Break Discourse community and a Chip of the Week discussion initiated by mobius_striptease, a closer look at the LT3073 3A, Ultra-Low Noise, High PSRR, 45mV Dropout Ultra-Fast Linear Regulator, a discussion about in and out pads ensues, Parker digs into Weldestroyer updates and how he found that a footswitch could not handle sourcing much current, which means my analog solution is out of the question, Parker provides a Box Truk update, focusing up...
Nov 07, 2023•51 min•Ep. 403
Parker and Stephen discuss Parker’s participation in Extra Life Day: Revenge of the Holiday Special on November 4, 2023, in which he’ll be playing and streaming STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order for 24 hours to raise funds for kids at his local Texas Children's Hospital, the related but unusual Star Wars Halloween costume he’ll be donning this year, checking in with the new Circuit Break Discourse community, how member Tom_Look prompted a discussion about how people organize projects, ideas, and part...
Oct 31, 2023•54 min•Ep. 402
Parker and Stephen have a great talk with Greg Norman, a recording engineer, producer, and technician at Steve Albini’s studio, Electrical Audio, in Chicago, who also constructs and repairs various audio devices out of necessity and general interest, under the name, Normaphone. Greg discusses his background and early “pre-Google” experiments and learnings, how to create a low-noise studio space and how your neighbors might unwittingly interfere with such things, why he has had to invent or upgra...
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 401
Parker and Stephen celebrate episode 400 of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast and announce its relaunch as Circuit Break starting next week, plus a discussion about MacroFab’s tenth anniversary, the end of our Slack channel and launch of our new Circuit Break Community hub, a brief history of this podcast and its trajectory, key projects that have been completed or else relegated to the shadow realm, plus much more! Relevant links: Celebrating 10 years of MacroFab (twitter) *NEW* Join our Circuit...
Oct 17, 2023•50 min•Ep. 400
Parker and Stephen welcome Josh Manley back to the show to discuss how humans and CAD can interact! Josh is the co-owner and CEO of CADClass.org. Through a comprehensive array of courses and literature, CADClass.org provides education of various software and design methodologies, catering to individuals across all proficiency levels. Since 2010, Josh has been utilizing his experience to create educational opportunities for anyone and everyone who wants to learn engineering skills. Here, he joins...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 399
Parker and Stephen discuss Parker’s past and upcoming Extra Life Day charity work, in which he plays video games like Duke Nukem and STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a rather deep dive into the newly launched Raspberry Pi 5, personal project updates from Stephen about the Weldestroyer 3000, and much more! Relevant links: Extra Life Day: Revenge of the Holiday Special MEP EP#105: Community Dice Introducing : Raspberry Pi 5 MEP EP#361: Cold Welding This...
Oct 06, 2023•49 min•Ep. 398
Parker and Stephen discuss community feedback that led Parker to order a Bambu X1 Carbon 3D Printer, which should be arriving any day now, S to the L to the A, “guardrails” that the U.S. Commerce Department has placed on the CHIPS for America program, the healthy job market for engineers in America right now, flagging down the double E’s, how to teach engineering students properly, new math, and much more! Relevant links: MEP EP#394: GPUs D.O.A, Reverse Polarity Problems, 3D Printer Pickles US C...
Sep 29, 2023•49 min•Ep. 397
Parker and Stephen discuss the Cloudlifter mechanism they now use to help enhance the sound of this podcast, what phantom power is and what it actually does, more reverse polarity protections from the community, some of this show’s most audible fans, down with Slack, up with Discourse, an overdue box truck update, and much more. Relevant links: What Does a Cloudlifter Do (And Should You Be Using One)? What is Phantom Power & Why Do I Need It? Ideal Diode Bridge Controller MEP EP#110: Danglin...
Sep 22, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 396
Parker and Stephen discuss power-only USB Type-C connectors entering the marketplace, Apple being forced to convert iPhones to USB-C after the EU established and enforced the Common Charger Directive and what such government legislations might mean for tech innovation, community discussion about reverse polarity protection, how the new Slack GUI is both not good and unnecessary, busy work vs. actual redevelopment, and much more. Relevant links: UJC Power-Only USB Type-C™ Receptacles How to Navig...
Sep 15, 2023•56 min•Ep. 395
Parker and Stephen discuss some MacroFab updates including news about their pod community and Slack, what’s wrong and right about high-end GPUs and the marvels of KrisFix and his YouTube repair channel, what’s up with consumer electronics and their lack of reverse polarity protection, and Parker muses about when it’s time to call it day for a 3D Printer. More on these topics: Community: New community hub! Shifting away from the Slack channel? Are you in or near Houston, Texas any time soon? Plea...
Sep 08, 2023•52 min•Ep. 394
Parker and Stephen discuss Infineon’s use of recyclable PCBs from Jiva Materials to create a soluboard, a recyclable and biodegradable PCB substrate, and its ecological and efficiency implications, an examination of the new Arduino Uno, which replaces the ATMEGA328P with two new models, Minima and Wifi, plus a CNC update and an extended meditation on saw blades and what they can and cannot actually cut. More on these topics: Infineon uses recyclable PCBs from Jiva Materials The fibers are natura...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 393
Matt has been teaching Robotics and Embedded Systems at the University of Advancing Technology since 2019. Before that, he worked in the pharmaceutical Industry for 15 years, primarily for Cardinal Health where he made radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive drugs) and worked as the Quality Unit in production for seven years, before switching to R&D as a Senior Principal Scientist. Guests: Matthew Prater from the University of Advancing Technology Increasing the dosage Matt on how he began making ...
Aug 25, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 392
This special episode is recorded at DEF CON, the annual hacker community gathering in Las Vegas. Hyr0n and Zapp from AND!XOR dive into the troubleshooting and triumphs of the Snackey vending machine project. From battling long queues to AI-enhanced innovation and mind-boggling challenges, explore the technical and creative journey behind this badge that will ignite your taste buds! Guests: Hyr0n & Zapp from AND!XOR Troubleshooting Snackey at DEF CON Snackey was a hit! The vending machine att...
Aug 18, 2023•48 min•Ep. 391
Join physicist and electrical engineering historian, Kathy Joseph, as she unravels captivating human stories behind electricity's evolution. Discover quirky experiments and eccentric scientists like self-deprecating Heinrich Hertz and self-proclaimed wizard Matthias Bose. Learn how historical knowledge and storytelling inspire present and future engineers. Guests: Kathy Joseph, Physicist and Electrical Engineering Historical Expert Introduction to Kathy and Her Passion for the History of Science...
Aug 11, 2023•40 min•Ep. 390
This week we’re joined by Josh Manley, Co-Owner and CEO of CADClass.org. Through a comprehensive array of courses and literature, CADClass.org provides education of various software and design methodologies, catering to individuals across all proficiency levels. Since 2010 Josh has been utilizing his experience to create educational opportunities for anyone and everyone who wants to learn engineering skills. Guests: Josh Manley from CADclass.org Overcoming CAD misconceptions 3D printing has incr...
Aug 04, 2023•54 min•Ep. 389
This week we’re joined by David Schild, the Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA). PCBAA is a consortium of American companies supporting domestic production of printed circuit boards and the materials they are made of. An established leader and trusted advocate, Schild has over 20 years of experience managing political involvement, corporate public relations and public policy efforts for the aerospace and defense industry and advocates for the CHIPS Act ...
Jul 28, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 388
Join us as we chat with Hyr0n and Zapp from AND!XOR Group about their iconic badges for DEF CON 31. Learn about the challenges and creative process behind their badges, including the returning Snackey Vending Machine. Discover how AI enhances their workflow while uncovering its limitations. Get ready for a captivating conversation! Text: Guests: Hyr0n & Zapp from AND!XOR Intro to AND!XOR and Previous Badge Designs for DEF CON A brief history of AND!XOR group The origins of Hyr0n & Zapp’s...
Jul 21, 2023•54 min•Ep. 387
Delve into the world of AI in chip design, exploring the limitations and benefits of AI, its impact on productivity and the labor market, and the future of this technology. We also join Parker on another exciting installment of his Box Truck project as he converts a truck into an RV. We discuss the limitations of warranties and power systems for conversions. Tune in for a captivating conversation! Text: AI Can't Design Chips Without People 🤖 Advancements and challenges in AI's role in chip desi...
Jul 14, 2023•56 min•Ep. 386
In the spirit of summer, we kick off this week with a timely discussion of whether you can cook food on the engine of your car; how hot would your exhaust pipes even need to be? Stephen shares the current challenges he’s facing with his CNC (computer numerical control) project; avoiding messy wiring, dos and don’ts of using electrical tape and when to upgrade to a bigger 3D printing. We also discuss the special place in Hell for the person at the hardware store who puts the wrong screw in the wr...
Jul 10, 2023•46 min•Ep. 385
