Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1470111
42 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2022 Feature Interview by Andy Shaughnessy I-CONNECT007 Despite all of the talk about the need for communication between designers and man- ufacturers, many PCB designers still do not talk with their manufacturers for a variety of reasons. Altium and MacroFab aim to change this dynamic. In this interview, Ted Pawela, chief ecosystem officer of Altium and head of Alti- um's Nexar Business Unit, and MacroFab CEO Misha Govshteyn, discuss the new Altimade manufacturing service that Altium is introduc- ing in partnership with MacroFab. Ted and Misha provide an overview of the Altimade process, how it links designers to fabricators, assembly providers, and component distribu- tors, and they explain how it could pave the way for true design with manufacturing, or DWM. Andy Shaughnessy: Ted, tell us about Altimade. It sounds like a step closer to design with man- ufacturing, with designers and manufacturers having total transparency and sharing knowl- edge of design intent. Ted Pawela: Yes, that's right. A few months ago, we launched Altimade. For many years, we've talked about transforming the industry, break- ing down the barriers that exist between the people who do design and the people who source and manufacture those designs. Alti- made is intended to address these challenges, which are largely about communication. Shaughnessy: What are some of the challenges that keep designers and fabricators from com- municating? Altimade Puts Designers and Manufacturers Together