E&A parrot takes flight: Eurocircuits talks about the design

The Electronics & Applications 2021 trade fair gadget is an electronic parrot. There is a whole team behind the design, development and production of the E&A parrot. The parties involved are discussed in this interview series. In the second edition, Dirk Stans explains Eurocircuits (stand no. 7E092) about his part in the project. He is one of the driving forces behind this ambitious partnership.

By Frank van de Ven

Eurocircuits has been closely involved in the creation of the E&A parrot from the start of this project. “The design of the trade fair gadget dates back some time. Due to the corona crisis, the World of Electronics (WOTS) trade fair was canceled and the design remained on the shelf. Now the time has come again for a physical fair and the electronic parrot can finally spread its wings,” says Stans.

Eurocircuits is involved in the manufacture of the printed circuit boards required for the E&A parrot. “A total of 1,500 printed circuit boards are needed. However, our role goes further than the supply of printed circuit boards,” Stans clarifies. “We monitor the process by checking whether the final design is manufacturable. We also took on the aesthetic design.”

Efteling as a source of inspiration
As mentioned, Eurocircuits was involved in the creation of the parrot from an early stage. “For each edition of the trade fair, a number of industry members meet in a special trade fair committee to think about a gadget with which we can attract attention and put the fair on the map,” says Stans. “Together we discuss a number of ideas from which we choose the best. During the selection round it also plays a role whether we can find sponsors who are willing to take on the supply of components.”

Dekimo came up with the idea of developing a device with which you can record and distort voices. That's how the ball started rolling, says Stans: “Ultimately we arrived at the shape of a parrot. The mechanical birds from the Efteling amusement park served as a source of inspiration, because they imitate visitors and distort their voices.” When it became clear what the shape of the gadget should be, Saar Drimer was called in for help. The technical editor and electronics designer of Eurocircuits worked on the design of the bird, i.e. the printed circuit board. He did this in collaboration with the Dekimo team led by project leader Giuseppe Albano.

Business philosophy
The Dekimo team took care of the electronics, while Drimer was responsible for the aesthetic design. “Every point of view has its rights within this project. There was a lot of consultation between both parties to arrive at the final design,” says Stans.

Drimer's designs always push the limits of manufacturability. “He requires multiple production techniques that are difficult to combine. He does not choose the easiest path, but he now has experience in monitoring the balance between creating the best possible design and feasibility,” Stans adds. “We think that is a great challenge and we are happy to help him realize his projects. Most companies are not interested in making such 'foils', but we find it a challenge to think along with Drimer. Such 'games' stimulate our creativity and that is why we like to participate in perfecting his designs.”

Aesthetic design
Color is very important to this design. “For this project we work with three colors of solder mask (green, blue, black), white as text print and gold as board finisher. This gives us a nice color combination on the small trade fair gadget.”

Eurocircuits is inextricably linked to the trade fair gadgets. “We have been participating in all projects since 2007 and thinking about the mascots for the trade fair. It is quite a challenge to work with a large group of people with whom you normally do not do this on a daily basis. So far this has always been successful,” says Stans.

The reason why these collaborations run so smoothly is because they happen within the framework of our FHI trade association Industrial Electronics, Stans thinks: “FHI brings parties together and ensures that they are on the same page. All participants want to make the fair a success. The gadget is created from this emotion – and not from a commercial point of view. By working together, we serve the same interests and want to strengthen the industry. This collaboration within the chain is unique throughout Europe.”

Name
Dirk Stans
Organization
Eurocircuits
Parrot project function
Booster E&A Parrot
Job description
Managing Partner