from prototype to production? Which service should I use. Need guidance

Using Arduino Project Guidance
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So my prototype device seems to be working well. Self etched, arduino on board all parts from digikey. Designed in fritzing. Now I'm wondering what's the process to get this professionally etched and assembled, and an idea of how much it would cost and everything else I'd need to know :slight_smile:

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Talk to someone like me who does that for customers.

You can see examples of my work here
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/

1047×813 153 KB

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I got boards from here, good price, good quality and 6 day delivery China to Canada.

http://www.pcbway.com/

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donperry:
So my prototype device seems to be working well. Self etched, arduino on board all parts from digikey. Designed in fritzing. Now I'm wondering what's the process to get this professionally etched and assembled, and an idea of how much it would cost and everything else I'd need to know :slight_smile:

How much it costs per board depends on how many you want for a specific time period. 100 per week for 52 weeks is going to be a lot cheaper per board than 100 per year and 20 boards per month. Are you going to supply all the material, including circuit boards? To have the builder buy the components will add 10% to the cost for their time.

Many components have different price break points depending on quantity. Some components will have a minimum order quantity.

You will be expected to prepay for the builds unless you are a business, or use a credit card. If you cancel before completing the total order, you will be charged for all the purchased material. Same applies to changes in your bill of material and to obsolete components.

If you supply the circuit boards, you would be well advised to pay the board house to test the boards for shorted traces and open traces. We have one customer who supplies their boards without test and then complains when their completed board fails their test. We make mistakes in assembly, but most times there is a trace problem which the customer must pay for repairs if we can make them. Sometimes the board is a loss because the error is under a component.

This is just the beginning. Remember whoever assembles your boards is a business and their time is valuable.

Paul