Taking PIC/Arduino development to a sell-able product

[LukeeeeBennett]

I've always wondered how people take their (relatively) expensive PIC's and Arduinos into small scale sales in the electronics industry.

Any industry guru's want to share?

 

[3v0]

It takes more effort to manufacture, market, and sell most products then it does to do the design. Keep in mind that the non design efforts are ongoing.

For a hint of what that is like check out the blog kept by the guy behind the Saleae Logic analyzer.
https://blog.saleae.com/

 

[Reloadron]

Thanks 3v0 for what was a very good and enjoyable read. Note the attitude as well as attention to detail.

Ron

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I've always wondered how people take their (relatively) expensive PIC's and Arduinos into small scale sales in the electronics industry.

You don't take an Arduino into small scale sales, it's not a chip it's a development system - you simply take the cheap AVR it's based on (or a cheap PIC) and build the device round that.

We're currently waiting for 100 sample PCB's for the PIC based device I'm involved in designing and programming - when it goes in to production it will be manufactured by a third party - the guy in charge of it all has experience in small/medium scale manufacturing in that way.

 

[cobra1]

Exactly as Nigel put it really, you build round your cheap PIC or AVR, i myself have a product in development that uses a 44pin TQFP PIC, they cost £1.79 each. Thats a tiny cost when you realise the potential the chip has.

 

[LukeeeeBennett]

Yeah, I understand now. Thanks a ton.

Also, cheers for the blog 3v0, it's a good read.