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102 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2026 H A P PY'S T EC H TA L K # 5 0 holders, brackets, enclosures, guides, and other custom parts needed for automation projects. Instead of waiting for a part to be machined, or deciding an idea is too expen- sive to pursue, the team can design, print, test, and modify it themselves. This is one reason I believe a DIY approach can work so well in PCB fabrica- tion. The technology has become inexpen- sive enough that employees can experiment without every project becoming a major capital request. Start Small Don't give in to the temptation with automa- tion to think too big. Don't start by trying to automate an entire production line. Look for a manufacturing problem that is well under- stood, measurable, and small enough for the team to complete successfully. A good first project teaches several things at once. The team learns how to select and connect a sensor, write or modify a program, collect data, calibrate the instrument, and determine whether the information is useful for controlling the process. Just as importantly, employees gain confi- dence that they can actually build some- thing that works. That first success makes the second project much easier. In the next column, we will look at sensors and instruments useful for advanced PCB processes, and begin our first project: measuring specific gravity. PCB fabricators face growing demands for more complex multilayers, HDI, higher yields, and greater reliability. Better process control will be essential to meeting those demands. You don't have to automate every- thing tomorrow. Start with your people, give them the opportunity to learn, and solve one problem at a time. Figure 3: Data acquisition (DAQ) systems range from simple, low-cost units and Raspberry Pi HATs to more sophisticated multichannel systems. See Happy's tips to get started