I’m aware there are prototype kits like Make’s Arduino (that’s all I’m really aware of), but if you manage to design an electronic gadget that does what you want it to, and you’d like to have it manufactured first on a small prototype scale (say 10 to 100), and maybe then a much larger scale, what would you do?
I realize it depends on the gadget’s electronic needs – so, what components (semiconductor models) are most typically used for ‘smart’ children’s toys that talk, and what websites are best for further reading on this topic?
Best website for smart children toys- http://www.letsmakerobots.com . See for yourself...
Wow, thanks - great ideas and feedback. Thanks very much - am enjoying your suggestions and links very much.
Hmm...Well there is Quirky which fields dozens of ideas per day, some of them electronic. However only few of the ideas are made (though it appears to be increasing) and very few of those, are electronics idea. Most are easy to manufacture non-electronics stuff. Maybe that is slowly changing.
Ideas normally cost $10 to submit to Quirky, however if you go to RetailMeNot and other coupon sites, there are at least 10 coupon codes that will work to get you a free pass to submit an idea to the design community and pro team at the site.
However, I am aware of a better approach for your plans I think. I can't tell you about how to get ideas on where to get chips and the like but I can suggest that there are a huge number of Chinese factories just dying to manufacture your item for you. Maybe you can start to find some of these factories on alibaba.com or aliexpress.com. There should also be a similar clearinghouse site directory with companies listing or offering their service for manufacture and even design.
There are many 3D printing prototyping companies out there. I haven't really run into electronics prototyping sites, but maybe because I travel in a different circle of links than is necessary. They must exist. There are probably cheaper offshore prototyping companies too.
So I would like to know too. It would be very cool to be able to design one's own electronics device. It would be super cool if you without owning a company could give conveniently hired consultant, similar to the directions you give a programmer consultnat programmer, some ideas or even better, schematics on what kind of device you want and then they come back with a prototype. in fact I bet their are engineers available for hire on sites like freelancer.com, elance.com etc. who are willing to make a prototype or help you with whatever level of help you need, even if it is just sourcing chips and the like.
I hope you are not building a bomb...
Keep us up to date. Heh, this would be a good idea for a website. That is a site you can submit ideas as sketch or detailed as you like for physical electronics products. Low cost engineers from around the world (India graduates far more engineers than we do every year I think for instance) would compete on price and reputation to design or help you design and source and produce your prototype. That sounds like a site that must exist already come to think of it.
Sorry for all the thinking out loud without much expertise.
http://littlebits.cc/ - like Arduino kit I think
http://www.adafruit.com/ - the Arduino stuff right?
http://www.nickpinkston.com/about.html - Hardware startups guy
http://upverter.com/
http://www.inmojo.com/ "Everyone. InMojo is an open marketplace for buying and selling all things open source hardware. Students, hobbyists, professionals, companies, and maker groups are all welcome."
http://www.altium.com/products/en/products_home.cfm - apparently is now old school...
http://www.altadox.com/prototyping.htm
http://lemnoslabs.com/
http://www.myropcb.com/
http://www.pcbsino.org/key20-product%20prototype.htm
http://www.explorelabs.com/
http://freedomdefined.org/OSHW#Endorsements - systematically visit the sites of the endorsers of the Open Source Hardware definition.
http://www.modk.it/
http://multilogica-shop.com/ - Open Source hardware from India
http://www.toastedcircuits.com/ - like Arduino or add-on to Arduino?
https://sites.google.com/site/aikoplatform/ - "Aiko is a collection of protocol specifications, along with specific server and client implementations that are designed to enable an Internet of Things. With the creation of open-source hardware devices, such as the Arduino microcontroller and OpenWRT routers, it is possible to inexpensively customise and deploy an extensive range of devices that can flexibly interact with each other."
http://www.northernwidget.com/alog.html - are you making environmental logging eqipment? here's the site is so.
http://evilmadscience.com/directory - actual open source hardware parts supplier
http://store.iheartengineering.com/ - more parts
http://store.fungizmos.com/ - parts
There are more sites listed by the signees of the Open Source Hardware definition.
Hey Joseph, there is a whole story to write here about commercial viability and market testing. But I'll put that aside as that is not what you have asked. To technically develop your product at the small scale of under 100 items, you'll be best using an off the shelf product such as the Arduino or even the AVR Butterfly if that suits your needs.
To custom build PCB's will require:
1) board design from an experienced technician
2) prototype assembly (small scale will be a few people with soldering irons, larger scales of over 5,000 will justify getting automated build systems in place)
3) prototype testing. testing to make sure your assumptions hold true and the concepts of your system work well
4) certifications (e.g. c-tick, etc...)
5) production
These steps are vague and high level, but hopefully provide some insights to what may be on your horizon. Before doing any of this, I suggest market testing (researching your market demand, expected costs, market value, competition, etc...).
Here are some further tips I have blogged about in the past: building a product to sell
Perhaps try searching for your local tech group like Hackerspace for specific tech guidance.
Best of luck! :)
Create a business plan, and approach the whole idea as a buisness, apply for a patent then document and video your gadget working. research and find a reputable electronics manufacturing service(EMS) and get a quote to do the size run you want some EMS services even offer other services such as prototyping and distrobution, then look for funding croudsourcing has become popular set up a kickstarter for funding and try to launch your product. Then cross your fingers. Good Luck to you on your endevors. I am not a professional these are just my opinions and of what you might do to get started after doing a general internet search.
There is a fee of $10,000 and up for a patent application.
You need setup a company to sell stuff.