Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1040234
16 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2018 Chavez: What it comes down to is that com- panies want to be successful. It's not easy to change internal processes quickly, especially when you think of a large corporation as a big machine. It takes time and a willingness to be open to change. It will happen eventually. The industry's evolving, and we'll eventually evolve too like everyone else in the industry. It's not an overnight thing. If it were, we would have evolved to a digital flow a long time ago, and we wouldn't even be having this discussion. Shaughnessy: What advice would you give to a designer regarding design output data formats? Chavez: Similar to my teaching in CID and CID+ courses, my advice to my students and fellow designers is that you have to communi- cate with your suppliers constantly. Establish- ing a long-term relationship with them is a must and communication is key for overall success! You have to stay on top of what's going on in the industry. Continuous professional develop - ment and professional networking are extremely important. You should design your PWBs at a minimum of IPC standards. When you commu- nicate with your suppliers and hand over your data to fabricate or assemble, you should speak the same IPC language and be on the same page to set yourself up for success. Regarding IPC, get involved, especially your local IPC Designers Counsel chapter. If you don't have a local chap - ter, why not start one yourself? Regarding data formats, if your supplier pre- fers or can only handle Gerber data, then you must provide that. If it's ODB++ or IPC-2581, then you will have to evolve too, provided your CAD tool can generate those formats. These two formats are very intelligent, and in the long run, are much better formats to use. We can do so much with them, so start embrac- ing intelligent formats and see if you can start migrating to them within your company and with your suppliers sooner rather than later. We'll get there eventually. Concerning providing bad data to the sup- pliers, you have to check your data before you send it out. You'd be surprised how many peo- ple blindly toss their data over the wall. Many don't even involve their suppliers until after the fact. By then, it's too late, and you're in a world of hurt. Some designers may not even produce a fabrication document; they just send Gerber data over and say, "Build this," without any specifications or instructions. This is why you have CAM engineers pulling their hair out due to bad data being pushed on to them. Shaughnessy: I appreciate it, Steph. Thanks for your time. Chavez: My pleasure, Andy. DESIGN007 Drug-releasing textiles could, for instance, be used to treat skin wounds. EMPA researchers are currently devel- oping polymer fibers that can be equipped with drugs. For the "Self Care Materials" project, fibers are produced from biodegradable polymers using various processes. "The targeted use of the fiber determines which manufac- turing process is best," explains EMPA researcher and proj- ect coordinator René Rossi. Delicate, light membranes with a large surface are formed during so-called electrospinning. If robust fibers are required, it is better to draw the melted ingredients. In the end, all processes produce novel fibers, the nano-architec - ture of which is made up of several layers and components. "The use of self-care fibers is conceivable for an enor- mous number of applications," says Rossi. In addition to chemical signals from the body, however, stimuli can also be used that are deliberately set from the outside to control the release of medication by the fibers. Textiles or dressings that release a remedy under slight pressure or a stimulus of light can contribute to the quality of life of patients and at the same time relieve the burden on health care staff. The system can also be used for preventive measures. The idea behind it: Where active substances can be released, substances are also able to penetrate the fiber in the opposite direction. (Source: EMPA) Medication You Can Wear