IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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IPC COMMUNITY 83 WINTER 2024 We kept this expectation in mind for nearly two years, as we planned and then executed the IPC High Reliability Forum, Oct. 17-18, in Baltimore, Maryland. The forum had been postponed due to the pandemic, but we came back with a mission to make it better than ever. We heard presentations on topics ranging from what it takes to smash into an asteroid, to the challenges of making reliable consumer products. Welcome to Day One We began the event with a panel discus- sion featuring Terry Hoffman and Valentino De Leon of CISCO Systems, Steve Murray of Northrop Grumman, Kevin Kusiak of Lock- heed Martin, and Brian Chislea of Dow Chem- ical Company. We moderated the panel and set the meaning of "high reliability." The panel participants, representing various sectors of the industry, noted that a lessons-learned database provides a way to ensure informa- tion is archived, updated, and maintained so that new projects benefit even as prog- ress is made and the industry advances. Ed Reynolds of Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) presented the keynote titled, "The DART MISSION: Earth Strikes Back" (using a "Star Wars" reference there). He provided an in-depth perspective of the mission challenges experienced while working to change the trajectory of an asteroid traveling at 14,000 miles per hour in space. In other words, it was like playing the video game "Asteroids" for real. The sophistication of technology and precision of guidance to the target left the audience in awe. Also on the docket were presenta- tions by Chris Peters of USPAE, and The- resa Campobasso and Trevor Stansbury of Exiger. Chris emphasized the impor- tance of communication and collabora- tion between organizations that provide high-reliability products and services. Theresa and Trevor emphasized the impor- tance of "knowing where your components are coming from" beyond the standard flow- down requirements from customers. Under- standing the risks of limited visibility all the way down to the discrete components and materials is paramount to ensuring reliable products. The Tuesday meeting concluded with remarks and a video from Sal Sparacino of Zestron, which sponsored the welcome recep- tion. Heads Up on Day Two What were flying silicon frogs doing at the High Reliability Forum? For those playing along with the trivia, the answer was "con- formal coating." The panel discussion, and the reference to frogs, explored the need for excellence in cleaning and coating solu- tions in the automotive industry. The panel members—Kevin Kusiak, Brian Chislea, Brian Johns Hopkins APL's Ed Reynolds with Elena Adams, DART mission systems engineer, during a press conference after DART's successful impact at asteroid Dimorphos on the evening of Sept. 26, 2022. (Source: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Craig Weiman)