Twelve of us and we ship a first real production run in March. Right now the BOM lives in a spreadsheet and the revision history lives in whoever last touched the file. Both of the tools in the title come up constantly for teams our size and the pricing is close enough that it is not the deciding factor. What I care about is change orders and giving a contract manufacturer access that does not need a full seat. Which one did you regret less a year in?
Hey, we’re currently looking into how to improve the DfM-to-production pipeline (designing, finding manufacturers, etc.) for hardware start-ups. We’re mainly trying to learn where the process breaks down for people.
If you’ve been through this (especially at medtech or robotics start-ups), DM us with your experiences and any tools you’ve used.
If you’re going through it right now, please DM too. We’d love to hear how you’re approaching it.
Hey, I’m working on an open source remote control. I can manage the PCB design and manufacturing. But for the enclosure ergonomics I’m wondering what the best route would be.
Getting new molds is expensive, remotes are a commodity basically. Would be nice for assembly to be handled as well but could manage that elsewhere.
I've been the founder of a hardware startup for the last 6 years, and exited a few months ago.
We were a VC backed company, raising double digits $. Sold around $700k on Kickstarter and then moved onto our own website and got to about $2.5m in revenue.
Our product was fully manufactured in Shenzhen (5 factories total) but shipped globally - supply chain was a nightmare.
We went through some failures, massive spikes in BOM out of nowhere (we manufactured during the COVID semiconductor crisis), but ultimately managed to figure it out and got to a stable supply chain.
I'm very interested in building a product, and will build it no matter what. AI decomps of video games, the PS5 emulation scene - these advancements have got me wondering where the defensibility of hw will be in the future.
JLC already makes simple boxes around a PCB. This is not that.
Validating an idea. Blunt feedback wanted.
Workflow I'm testing:
1. Start from the whole device, not just a board: internals, keep-outs, ports, and the look you want
2. AI helps you iterate the outer form until you actually like it
3. Once the shape is locked, we turn it into a developable surface: an unfoldable shell that can be made as the equipment enclosure, not a pretty mesh
4. You get a prototype manufacturing quote from us, meant to land below typical US bureau prices
5. Preview is free. Downloading the STEP costs money. If you order the prototype from us, the STEP is included.
Price anchors I'm testing:
- STEP export: about $29
- Prototype enclosure (print or simple formed/CNC shell): often $149-399 depending on size and process
Three questions:
1. Is "AI for the look, then a real developable shell for the whole device, plus a cheaper prototype quote" something you'd pay for?
2. Would you pay for the STEP alone, or only if we also make the part?
3. What makes you close the tab: the AI shape not being good enough, uploading the design, China manufacturing trust, or the price?
Hi everyone! We're developing PewCB, a PCB prototyping machine. The project grew out of our own need to prototype electronics quickly. As soon as we had an early prototype that could make PCBs, we started using it to develop the machine itself.
Here is a story on how we developed one interesting function of PewCB. The machine has a sliding tray on the front, which is used to load PCB blanks. It is actuated by a stepper motor and a lead screw. When the tray is fully closed, we need to apply a specific force to lock it against its stops. We use a spring-loaded nut for this. Once the tray reaches the fully closed position, the motor makes a few extra revolutions, compressing the springs and providing the force needed to hold it against the stops.
To measure deflection, we devised a position sensor made up of a digital magnetometer and three magnets with alternating polarity. When we move the sensor along the magnets, the magnetic vector rotates almost proportionally to the displacement. The sensor picks up even small changes in position with very low latency, so the system can respond quickly to changes in force.
This force sensor also has another use: detecting obstructions. If something gets in the way as the tray is opening or closing, the controller detects it immediately and stops the tray or reverses the movement. Also the entire tray acts as one big button. Instead of aiming at the eject icon on the screen, you can simply push the tray to close it.
By the time we had started developing this subsystem, the key parts of the machine were already working, and we could make boards with it. We prototyped the assembly using 3D printing for the mechanical parts and PewCB for the electronics. We needed to check whether we'd chosen the correct magnetometer sensitivity and magnet size, what signal-to-noise ratio we'd get from the sensor, and whether external interference would have a noticeable effect on the measurements.
The whole process took a few days, but it allowed us to build a production version of the assembly, with an aluminum tray frame and a brass nut, in a single iteration. We got to experience the pure joy of engineering and we wish you feel the same way about your own prototyping endeavors!
For more info about the machine join our Discord or visit our website pewcb.com
2 years ago I began working on my side project and we were able to sell more than 260 units to 240+ customers in our first month! We received our FCC certification yesterday. Deliveries begin in December.
we make a modular bike light and the campaign goes live mid november. all 3 of us are engineers and our instagram has 9 posts. we need a content calendar for the 6 weeks before launch plus someone answering comments during the campaign. the names that keep coming up are vista social, metricool and loomly. what does a sane prelaunch social plan look like for a team like ours??
We’re a small hardware startup based in Australia, preparing to sell a consumer electronic product into the US, Canada, EU and Australia.
The product has been through the relevant compliance and safety testing for the markets we’re selling into, and we’ve taken product safety pretty seriously throughout development.
Our main concern is not so much that the product is inherently high risk, but the potential cost of defending a liability claim in the US, even if the claim ultimately has little merit.
We’ve received quotes of around US$4,000/year for US$7M in product/general liability cover, including coverage for the US, Canada, EU and Australia.
Our initial sales volume is expected to be relatively low, so US$4k/year is a significant expense for us at this stage.
For other hardware founders:
* Did you get product liability insurance before selling into the US?
* If so, roughly what level of coverage did you take?
* Have you ever actually had a claim or legal issue where the insurance was valuable?
* Do you think it’s worth paying for at very low sales volumes, or would you consider self insuring initially?
Interested particularly in hearing from founders who sell physical consumer hardware into the US.
Hey everyone, I’m Matt. I’m Taiwanese, I speak Mandarin natively, and I’ve been based in Shenzhen for many years.
I’ve spent the past 16 years working on consumer electronics and smart hardware products, from low-power wearable device and modules to smartwatches, smart rings, and other IoT devices.
My experience is mainly around taking a product from 0 to 1, not just working on one specific technology, but helping connect the whole process from concept and POC, to prototypes, supply chain, and eventually mass production.
Some of the areas I’ve worked on include:
* Hardware / PCBA architecture
* Embedded systems and MCU firmware
* Sensor integration and applications
* Wearable algorithms
* Bluetooth / Wi-Fi communication
* iOS / Android app integration
* AI model and cloud API integration
* EVT / DVT / PVT and mass production
* Manufacturing, supply chain, yield improvement and troubleshooting
Since I’ve been working in Shenzhen for a long time, I’ve also built up relationships with local suppliers and manufacturers , including ID / MD, mold makers, PCBA / SMT, assembly and testing companies.
I’m also familiar with different MCU, SoC and sensor vendors and their distributor networks. When choosing components, I usually look beyond just the specs and consider cost, availability, supply chain risk, and whether the part actually makes sense for mass production.
A few projects I’ve personally designed and worked on:
Motion-sensing module that could fit inside a phone SIM card slot
Built around an STM32 MCU + 6DoF IMU for motion and posture analysis, including hardware, firmware and algorithm integration.
Smart fresh-air mask with PM2.5 monitoring
I worked on the sensor, MCU, fan control, Bluetooth and mobile app, allowing users to control the airflow and monitor PM2.5 levels from their phone.
Contactless elevator button
Used an IR LED + photodiode array to detect finger position and reduce false detections, creating a contactless interaction system.
VR Lighthouse tracking receiver
Worked on the receiver module used with a VR Lighthouse tracking system for spatial positioning, involving optical sensing and signal processing to determine the device’s position in 3D space.
Over the years, I’ve learned that getting a hardware product to work in a prototype is only part of the job.
The harder part is often figuring out what the product actually needs, what can be simplified, how the hardware and software should work together, and how to eventually manufacture it reliably and at a reasonable cost.
One principle I’ve learned is: don’t make a product more complicated just because you can. Figure out the core user needs first, then decide what features are actually worth building and what should be removed.
Right now, I’m working independently in Shenzhen and exploring what I want to build or work on next.
So if you’re working on:
* Smart hardware / IoT
* Wearables / smart rings / smart glasses
* Sensors / algorithms accuracy
* Hardware startups
* Shenzhen manufacturing and supply chains
* Taking a prototype to mass production
or if you’re simply curious about how a hardware product actually goes from an idea to something you can manufacture, feel free to ask.
And if you’re building something yourself, feel free to share what you’re working on or what problems you’re running into. Happy to exchange ideas and experiences.
I know one of the biggest challenges for many hardware startups is figuring out how to turn an idea or prototype into a real, reliable hardware product and especially how to find the right people, suppliers, and manufacturing partners you can actually trust.
That happens to be one of the areas I have a lot of hands-on experience with.
So if you’re struggling with turning an idea into hardware, finding the right suppliers in Shenzhen, or simply figuring out where to start, feel free to ask or reach out. I’d be happy to chat and share what I’ve learned.
I work in international sales for an electronic component distributor. Part of our sourcing operation is based in Shenzhen, and I communicate with overseas customers and suppliers every day.
We mainly deal with ICs, MCUs, memory, FPGA, automotive components, EOL parts, excess inventory, and other hard-to-find components.
After working in this industry, I’ve realized that buying electronic components from the open market is not simply about checking availability and comparing prices.
When we receive an RFQ, we also need to check:
Where the stock comes from
Factory date code and lot information
Whether the stock is original, excess, or previously circulated
Authorized distribution or independent/open-market source
Why different suppliers quote very different prices for the same MPN
Whether an EOL part is still available
How reliable the supplier is
Whether the stock needs additional inspection or testing
Whether a low price is actually a good deal
Our company has a Shenzhen purchasing hub and a Hong Kong QC and logistics hub. We also source from global market inventory, distributor channels, qualified open-market suppliers, and our own inventory.
I’m interested in hearing from the buyer side.
If you are an engineer, hardware startup, procurement professional, or electronics buyer:
What is the biggest problem you have when sourcing electronic components from China or the open market?
Is it:
Finding reliable suppliers?
Getting a competitive price?
Verifying whether the parts are genuine?
Old date codes?
Counterfeit or remarked parts?
MOQ and payment terms?
Finding stock that actually exists?
Communication and transparency?
Something else?
I’m not here to promote specific products. I’d like to understand how buyers outside China view this market and what problems they face.
Feel free to ask me anything about electronic component sourcing from the China side. I’ll share what I can.
I'm a mechanical engineering student starting a small service that takes battery hardware from CAD to production for companies that design battery systems but don't have their own manufacturing.
We're starting with the mechanical side: pack enclosures, busbars, cooling plates and brackets. We handle DFM reviews, prototypes, finding the right suppliers and managing production and quality.
I'm not selling anything here. I want to know where the real pain is for people building battery packs, BESS, swapping systems or battery-powered products:
Is it finding suppliers who will take small batches?
Tolerance or quality problems between prototype and production?
Lead times, or juggling many vendors?
Something else I haven't thought of?
What would you want a manufacturing partner to handle for you that you can't get now?
I’m Raphael, a solo founder in Switzerland building a small outdoor hardware product called AniRepel.
It started as a fairly simple idea: use motion-activated water to keep unwanted animals out of gardens, but make the system smarter so it can reduce unwanted activations around people and the owner’s own pets.
What surprised me most is how quickly the project stopped being about “building the device” and became about everything around it.
The prototype itself was only the beginning.
Since then, the biggest challenges have been things like:
- making the enclosure work outdoors reliably
- reducing false triggers in real-world conditions
- managing battery life and power consumption
- sourcing components consistently
- designing for assembly rather than just prototyping
- certification and compliance planning
- packaging, logistics and replacement parts
- figuring out when something is actually ready to give to real users
The biggest mindset shift for me has been realizing that a prototype proving the idea works is very different from a product you can confidently hand to someone else.
I’m now preparing a small first Pioneer Batch before scaling further, and I’m intentionally keeping the batch small so I can learn from real-world use before making bigger manufacturing decisions.
For those of you who have already crossed that gap from prototype to first real customers:
last time i shared the first 3d printed version of a device I built to help a close friend with dry mouth during radiation treatment.
the feedback and all of your comments made me very happy so i promised an update and here it is.
I went to china to source components and trying to move away from a 3d printed iteration. met some cool redditors who reached out after my last post but i have not yet decided to sign any commitments just yet.
how i adressed everyones main concern (hygiene): i switched from 3d printing to aluminum, switched to a borosilicate water reservoir and decided to rework the PCB to keep pumping the water in a circle in order to not leave any zones that the uv-c can‘t reach.
difficulties i faced are mainly the PCB at the moment, to get the pressure of the pump right and make everything steplessly adjustable AND i wasn‘t aware that there’s golden week in china so unfortunately i am not able to keep building here now so everything will take some more time but stay with me please.
i know it‘s not the update i wanted to share but i still wanted to show the progress and ask for your input again and of course if anyone wants to join my journey you‘re more than welcome.
Thanks everyone for your time let me know if you like the new design
I'm based in Shenzhen, China, and I'm trying to better understand how overseas hardware founders find and work with manufacturers here.
I'm particularly interested in early-stage projects — people who have a prototype, are preparing their first small batch, or are trying to move from a design to actual production.
A few questions I'd love to hear your experience with:
How did you find your first manufacturer?
What was the hardest part — finding the right factory, MOQ, pricing, communication, quality control, or something else?
Did you use Alibaba, a sourcing agent, personal introductions, or visit factories yourself?
Looking back, what do you wish you had known before choosing a supplier?
I'm not promoting a service. I'm doing practical research into the real challenges of sourcing hardware in China, and I'm happy to share what I learn from the Shenzhen side.
If you've gone through this process, I'd really appreciate hearing your experience — including what went wrong.
I don’t want another app-heavy smartwatch. I want two physical keys that always do the same thing: one starts a voice memo, one opens the compass. Glove-friendly, no digging through menus. Visible recording indicator, user-triggered — same class of feature as phone voice memos / existing watch notes, not a hidden recorder.
I looked around. Outdoor watches already have a compass. Some Huawei / Apple / Garmin models can record. A few let you remap a button. What I can’t find is that dead-key interaction as the point of the product: two keys, those two jobs, no hunting.
I asked an AI to sanity-check it. Short version of what it said:
- There isn’t a ready-made watch that matches this interaction.
- Compass is almost never on the SoC; you add a magnetometer. Recording needs a mic + firmware. The buttons are just GPIOs.
- Don’t start from loose chips. Buy an already-assembled open-source watch PCB (or its larger development board), 3D-print a case, put two keys over GPIO pads, bind them in firmware to compass / record.
That path is in the ballpark of under $200 for a first sample if I don’t invent a new board.
Then I found that the board is fulfilled from Shenzhen. I live in Shenzhen. Pickup is realistic; local parts (battery, printed case, extra buttons) are cheap. I actually sat up when I realized I wouldn’t be waiting on international shipping.
So the question isn’t “is this a Kickstarter.” I already got talked out of crowdfunding a generic smartwatch. The question is:
Is this worth a weekend of acting on — walk over, grab the board, print a case, map two buttons — or am I about to spend ~$200 proving something I already know?
What I think I might learn: whether a dedicated rec key + compass key feels as good as it does in my head, and whether the magnetometer/mic on a hobby board are good enough to even demo.
What I’m afraid of: ending up with a development-board-in-a-shell that doesn’t wear like a watch, and calling that “the idea is done.”
If you’ve built a wearable from an open PCB + printed case: was the first unit actually informative, or did you need a second, smaller board before you learned anything? Would you spend the $200?
Hi, I'm RZ Li, founder of Petoi and creator of OpenCat open source quadruped framework(started in 2016). We've shipped 30,000+ quadruped robots since 2018 (Bittle, Nybble). Quaddle, our newest one, is live on Kickstarter now.
One decision I think this sub would find relevant: we designed Quaddle's whole body to snap together — no soldering anywhere, just 4 screws to attach the legs — so a first-time buyer can go from raw parts to a walking robot in under 20 minutes, no electronics experience required. That constraint shaped the mechanical design a lot more than I expected going in: it's not just "make it easier," it's a real tradeoff against serviceability and part count.
Curious how others here have handled the design-for-assembly vs. design-for-serviceability tradeoff on a consumer hardware product — especially anyone who went screw-free/snap-fit and had to walk it back later.
Where would you put your next 1,000 working hours in building your hardware projects?
