IEEE Consultants Network of Long Island (LICN)

Have you ever tried Google’s Live View feature, where you just point your phone at a building and it instantly figures out exactly where you are? Or maybe you’ve wondered how action movies pull off those cool 3D scenes of the places they’re about to rob? Ever stopped to think about how virtual tours and street views come to life?

In this talk, we will explore the various algorithms that are used to create vivid and comprehensive 3D scenes from just a handful of images collected from the internet. The talk will be divided in 3 key sections:

Artifact Mitigation
Images collected from the internet are not always perfect. Some may have memes or text overlaid on them, while others may have been compressed multiple times for efficient storage, resulting in pixelation. Some images might be blurry, have too much sun exposure, or be taken at night. There can also be moving objects like people and cars, which aren’t needed and could obstruct the 3D reconstruction of a scene.

In this section, we’ll learn about the deep learning algorithms used to remove these kinds of artifacts and transient objects from images.

Image Registration and Geo-localization
Once the images have been pre-processed, the next step is to determine their relative pose with respect to each other. Imagine trying to figure out whether a photo was taken from the left side of the Eiffel Tower or the right, or whether the person with the camera was 100 meters away or just 50 meters. Sometimes, the images might even come from a drone! So how do we place all these different frames into a common reference frame? The more viewpoints we have of an area, the more complete our 3D models will be.

In this section, we’ll learn how Structure-from-Motion (SfM) is used to assign poses to these images. We’ll explore techniques for using background details to determine pose, especially when the object of interest looks the same from every angle. And finally, we’ll briefly discuss how these images can be geo-localized; meaning their latitude and longitude can be estimated, even when no GPS information is available.

3D Reconstruction
Now that our images are cleaned up and we know their poses, we can dive into the techniques used to transform these images to build a 3D scene. We’ll discuss, at a high level, some traditional 3D reconstruction methods along with more recent AI-based approaches such as neural rendering and gaussian splatting.

The applications of these computer vision and deep learning techniques we’ve talked about are widespread, and I hope you’ll start noticing them being used all around you, whether it’s in mobile phones, self-driving technology, biometric scanners, delivery robots, security cameras, and many other places.

Speaker Bio:
Kshitij Minhas works at the intersection of computer vision, robotics, and AI. In his current role at SRI, he works on multi-faceted projects tackling novel problems such as developing algorithms for autonomous drones, warehouse robot navigation, 3D scene reconstruction, precise human pose estimation for security, GPS-free robot localization, augmented reality mentoring systems, and automation for heavy construction equipment among others. Previously he worked at computer vision-based hardware startups where he was more focused on hardware design and deployment.

Kshitij brings end-to-end expertise, spanning algorithm development, system integration, and hardware design. He holds degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering as well as Mechanical Engineering, has published work at premier IEEE conferences, and is co-inventor on 2 patents. Through this talk he hopes to pass on some of his learnings in computer vision and the latest trends in 3D reconstruction and AI to the general audience.

Have you ever designed a PCB only to face the daunting costs and minimum order quantities of professional assembly houses? Or perhaps you've wondered how modern electronics achieve such incredible miniaturization with components smaller than a grain of rice? Maybe you're curious about how to bridge the gap between your Eagle or KiCAD designs and a working prototype?

In this comprehensive presentation, we'll journey through the evolution of electronics assembly—from the wire-wrapped chassis of the 1940s to today's desktop manufacturing revolution. You'll discover how modern benchtop equipment is democratizing PCB assembly, making it accessible to consultants, educators, makerspaces, and small businesses.

The presentation will cover three main areas:
Historical Perspective & Technology Evolution We'll explore how electronics manufacturing evolved from point-to-point wiring through the through-hole era to surface mount technology. You'll learn why each transition occurred, what problems were solved, and what new challenges emerged. We'll examine component packaging trends from massive tube sockets to microscopic 01005 chips, and understand the trade-offs between size, cost, and manufacturability.

Modern Desktop Assembly Process Dive deep into the complete workflow from schematic to assembled PCB. We'll demonstrate the entire process from PCB design, explore critical concepts like stencil design and paste application, and reveal the secrets of successful pick-and-place operation. You'll learn about vision systems, component feeders, reflow profiles, and how desktop equipment handles everything from 0402 passives to fine-pitch QFPs and even BGAs.

Live Demonstration & Practical Applications Watch as we assemble a real PCB from start to finish using the Neoden YY1 Assembly Bundle. We'll demonstrate component placement for various package types, discuss common assembly defects and their solutions, and show you exactly what's possible with equipment that fits on a standard workbench. You'll leave understanding how PCBs are designed and assembled and how to get started with your own assembly line.

Whether you're an engineer tired of waiting weeks for prototype assembly, an educator looking to bring hands-on manufacturing to your classroom, or a startup founder trying to bridge the gap between prototype and production, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge to bring professional PCB assembly capabilities to your own workspace.

Speaker Bio:
James Gallina is General Manager at Neoden USA, where he oversees technical support and educational partnerships for desktop SMT equipment. With a Master's Degree in Science Education from Brooklyn College and over 10 years as a science educator, James transitioned into the PCB assembly industry through hands-on work repairing and optimizing pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, and other SMT equipment. He brings end-to-end expertise in the assembly process, from component handling to reflow profiling, and specializes in making industrial PCB assembly technology accessible to educational institutions and small-scale manufacturers. Through this presentation, he aims to demystify SMT assembly and demonstrate how desktop equipment can bridge the gap between prototyping and production.

Joseph Payne is Business Manager at Neoden USA, where he has driven growth while expanding the company's technical support capabilities for SMT equipment distribution. He holds a Master's in Nautical Science from New Zealand Maritime School and brings diverse experience from maritime operations, software development, and electronics manufacturing as former COO of Wolff Audio. Joseph combines practical PCB assembly experience with systems integration expertise, having implemented comprehensive ERP systems and established contract manufacturing operations using desktop SMT equipment. A self-taught programmer who has developed multiple B2B platforms and SaaS applications, he aims to share practical insights on making professional PCB assembly accessible and economically viable for consultants, startups, and small businesses.

Agenda:
We will start our meeting at 7:00 pm. For the next 15 minutes or so, we will introduce ourselves, handle any LICN business and do a little networking. We will then start our presentation. After the presentation, feel free to stick around and chat with others to network or to further discuss our lecture topic.

NOTES
There is no cost to attend this meeting, however, if you are a NYS Professional Engineer and would like to receive Professional Development Hours (PDHs) of continuing education credit, then payment of a $15 fee is required. You will also have to properly fill out an Evaluation Form to prove that you attended this lecture.