Hi Everyone,
One of the problems I've encountered with past Arduino projects is that I build a cool project using shields and maybe a few additional sensors. I then want to take my project to completion by creating a PCB, but I've struggled with that part of the process.
I'm curious if there are others out there who have encountered a similar issue? Or if others mostly want to create a working prototype and tear it down to build the next one.
Hi SkiBum,
What's the problem? It's a long road you're on. It's challenging to do a final product especially if you're talking about going to market. You will run into problems and challenges that you never considered or worried about in prototype stage.
SkiBum326:
I then want to take my project to completion by creating a PCB, but I've struggled with that part of the process.
If you want to make a project permanent, then designing a PCB is one option, but not the only one.
Its perfectly acceptable, if you want a project to be permanent, to build it on stripboard or other types of solderable prototype boards.
So why do you think you need to produce a PCB ?
I have a customer with a commercial product using an Arduino NANO, along with some other circuit boards, all in a nice box. I bet you could something similar with your project.
Paul
This is one of my current projects, an RFID pet feeder. This is fine for a couple of prototypes, but I have been thinking about producing in higher quantities, and it's pretty difficult to assembly / mount as is.
I guess what I'm envisioning is a single PCB that is not only easy to mount but also to wire components into.
Paul, did your customer find a good solution for mounting and wiring the separate PCBs?
Hi,
OPs pic;
Tom.. 
Tom,
That's a great idea. I have a similar project which could use that treatment.
Hey Skibum... maybe it's the picture but why are there bare wires in there and the servo wire looks broken (cut)...
I agree it's a nice clean design.
I then want to take my project to completion by creating a PCB, but I've struggled with that part of the process.
Well, yes. Designing and prototyping the project, and preparing the project to actual "manufacturing" are essentially different skill sets (and the "take orders and ship stuff" skills, and the business skills that go with running everything are yet again separate skills.)
I don't know how small companies manage to do it.
Large companies have separate people. Even separate "departments." (at good large companies, they talk to each other, so that there aren't any major surprises that show up at some unexpected point.)
You get better at PCB design with practice. Presumably, if you actually get things manufactured, you get better at designing the PCB to be manufactured, as well (which is a separate thing.) There are blogs and books and various people that will give you advice. Or you can hire someone else - you might find someone good. Or not. 
westfw:
Designing and prototyping the project, and preparing the project to actual "manufacturing" are essentially different skill sets (and the "take orders and ship stuff" skills, and the business skills that go with running everything are yet again separate skills.)
I don't know how small companies manage to do it.
So true!
Keep the engineers AWAY from the customers!
-jim lee
You just need to find the right small company to work with. I convert collections of boards/shields into single board designs for folks on a regular basis, with the outcome the PCB Gerber files and a BOM of Digikey/Mouser parts if desired. If the design is not too complex for hand assembly, we even assemble batches of cards.
