Macrofab Engineering Podcast

Summary:In this episode, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig delve into the hefty topic of U.S. funding for 'digital twin' chips research under the CHIPS Act, comparing its budget to other big expenditures like Boeing's Starliner and military budgets. They also discuss EDA tool pricing, breaking down costs from freeware to industry heavyweights, and the implications for small vs. large businesses. Additionally, Parker shares his personal project update on his first KiCad PCB.Key Discussion Points:Introduction to the topic of U.S. funding for 'digital twin' chips research and its comparison to other large expenditures.Overview of the CHIPS Act, its budget, and its place in the broader U.S. budget context.Discussion on the price and subscription models of various EDA tools, from entry-level to high-end industry standards.Analysis of the impact of EDA tool pricing on small businesses versus large corporations.Parker's personal project update: success with his first KiCad PCB.The hosts reflect on the social dynamic