Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1453746
42 PCB007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2022 cycles, and the panel is cut up into a greater quantity of parts—like how components have been miniaturized to reset profit margins by getting more parts out of the same materials. e result is cost savings and a reduced form factor that may benefit the final system in which the final PCBA is placed. Johnson: I have a similar question regarding operating costs for an additive line: Can you see that reaching parity with subtractive in the future at some point? Brassard: As Meredith indicated earlier, we do not have a separate factory where we're doing additive manufacturing. Ninety percent of the processing that we do for an additive board is identical to what we do for a subtrac- tive board. In some cases, we will realize the traces by etching and in other cases we'll grow the traces. LaBeau: You're going to have some capitaliza- tion costs, but I don't think your operating costs will change that much by the time you get it into a production environment. Brassard: ere are challenges to overcome in learning additive manufacturing. Like any- thing new, it's about many iterations, and learning from each failure and success. Many iterations and working with amazing engi- neering teams at OEM and supply chain part- ners. Being a few years into the process, Cal- umet Electronics has gained the know-how. Next, it's scaling capacity to start meeting some of the needs of the domestic market. Calumet is exactly the type of small business that the DoD wants to be strong and thriv- ing in the defense and commercial markets. e DoD would like to see many PCB shops with high technology manufacturing capabil- ities to provide redundancy, reduce risk, and reduce cost through competition. But I'll say it again: the U.S. government and DoD need to help "jump start" the U.S. electronics man- ufacturing industry, and not just the chips, but the entire ecosystem. Matties: Some of the partnerships with the OEMs come in, and they fund a lot of this. Are you seeing that co-op? LaBeau: Not at the level we would like to see just yet. Brassard: Nothing gets the attention of OEMs like supply chain shortages or disruptions. As demand continues to increase for complex technologies to be produced in the U.S., the urgent need may drive more and better fund- ing opportunities. Matties: I've seen in the past where they have funded equipment. LaBeau: Well, they can, but oen a shop can only use the equipment on the OEM's work. is is not especially helpful in building a strong shop. Perhaps it's more effective at a larger scale. Matties: ank you both for your time. is has been great. LaBeau: We are always happy to support knowledge growth in the industry; thank you for having us. Brassard: ank you. Always a pleasure. PCB007 There are challenges to overcome in learning additive manufacturing.