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• Altimade

  MacroFab, the industry-leading electronics cloud manufacturing platform, is excited to announce Altimade, through our partnership with Altium.

  Type: Page

• eBooks & Guides

  Get expert advice and insight into MacroFab's benefits with our downloadable assets.

  Type: Page

• 7 Factors to Consider when Identifying the Right Contract Manufacturer for Your Design

  Part of a successful engineering system project involves selecting the right contract manufacturer (CM) to implement your design.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Benefits of a Digital Manufacturing Platform

  Digital manufacturing platforms are streamlining old processes while adding new opportunities to EMS manufacturing.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• About MacroFab

  Learn more about the history of MacroFab, it's leadership and our team.

  Type: Page

• News

  Stay up to date on the latest news from MacroFab and its partners.

  Type: Page

• MacroFab Announces Appointment of Independent Board Members

  The executives from Flex, Silicon Labs and TTI will provide insights and help propel MacroFab’s growth as the company continues to rapidly expand.

  Type: News

• MacroFab Announces A $15m Series B Round

  Led by Edison Partners, Including Strategic Investment from Altium to Accelerate Growth for Manufacturing-as-a-Service Platform for Electronics.

  Type: News

• New Tools for Purchasing Teams

  Today MacroFab is announcing new functionality aimed at helping purchasing teams source Electronics Manufacturing Services easier than ever before.

  Type: News

• Partner Network

  As a MacroFab partner, you get: ready-to-run kits, the jobs you want, when you want and prompt payment.

  Type: Page

• Submit a Partner Application

  We work with 70+, fully-vetted manufacturing facilities across the US, Canada, and Mexico and produce electronic goods at any volume.

  Type: Partner Network

• Careers

  Our team is comprised of assembly line operators, software engineers, electrical engineers, customer support, marketers, and sales reps.

  Type: Page

• Solutions for Electrical Engineers

  Upload your design files to MacroFab’s secure platform to get a quote for PCB assembly in minutes.

  Type: Page

• Solutions for Purchasing Teams

  Get quality-guaranteed PCB assembly & box build, on time & at competitive prices. Request a quote today & experience industry-leading customer service.

  Type: Page

• Blog

  A blog devoted to how electronics manufacturing and PCB assembly is evolving to meet the needs of today’s engineers, creators, and businesses.

  Type: Page

• Alternative Part Sourcing

  MacroFab empowers companies with new tools to proactively manage risks when relying on parts that can go out of stock at a moment's notice.

  Type: Blog

• Minimizing Production Disruption During the 2022 Lunar New Year

  The Lunar New Year will begin on February 1st, 2022, catalyzing the most significant annual mass migration of people on the planet.

  Type: Blog

• Tolerances Stack Up

  Electrical and mechanical components have production tolerances within the design with variance over their manufacturing life.

  Type: Blog

• Is Cloud Manufacturing the Future of the Industry?

  Cloud Manufacturing enables hardware OEMs to respond to changing market conditions faster with lower total costs than traditional contract manufacturing.

  Type: Blog

• Podcasts

  A weekly electronics podcast where Parker and Stephen explore topics in engineering and hardware with guests, DIY electronic devices, and industry news.

  Type: Page

• Operation Scope Creep

  Multi-layer PCB designs. As an engineer, how do you decide when it is time to increase layer count and how do you decide what goes on those layers?

  Type: Podcasts

• Tradition is Peer Pressure From the Dead

  Is the DIY maker movement now dead or is it shifting to be less commercialized now? Chris Gammell joins our podcast to discuss is DIY Dead?

  Type: Podcasts

• Crispy Currents

  The engineering mind. Stephen and Parker discuss if the process engineers use to solve problems is inherent to engineers or is there something more?

  Type: Podcasts

• A 1 Dollar Chips Matter

  What kind of soldering equipment should an engineer look at getting for their bench? Parker and Stephen start discussing equipment and supplies!

  Type: Podcasts

• Tip Resurrection Cream

  How is it possible that Stephen and Parker can talk about solder and soldering supplies for over one hour. Listen to this weeks episode to find out!

  Type: Podcasts

• Cow Field

  This week Stephen and Parker were supposed to discuss bench equipment for development and testing but got distracted by talking about home-brewing beer.

  Type: Podcasts

• Electron Congo Line

  Are the founders of electrical engineering lizard people or is big electricity have a dark secret that they don't want you to know about? Tune in!

  Type: Podcasts

• Removing The Barriers

  Electronic bench equipment for hardware development. Stephen and Parker dive into a high level of what kind of equipment is needed to outfit a bench.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Bad Hunch

  Six times! Y'all let us talk about Star Wars 6 years in a row! Roz, Hyr0n, Stephen, Chris, and Parker discuss the latest in Star Wars media and tech.

  Type: Podcasts

• Perpetual Prototypes

  Did Stephen and Parker complete there holiday projects as mentioned in last weeks episode or will they slip further behind with feature creep?

  Type: Podcasts

• Guidance for Orders Placed During Lunar New Year in Q1'22

  We're providing a Supply Chain and Product update on what to expect in the first quarter of 2022, so your teams can meet their product delivery deadlines.

  Type: Blog

• 2022 New Year Engineering Resolutions

  With 2021 behind us it is time to look forward to 2022. Will Parker and Stephen cross off all there new year resolutions or will they be forgotten?

  Type: Podcasts

• The Gamification of PCB Assembly

  One faithful evening, Parker received a marketing email about gamifying the MacroFab platform and thought it might be a good podcast topic.

  Type: Podcasts

• Armchair Military Strategists

  How do we secure the global electronics supply chain while also preventing World War III? Stephen and Parker discuss TSMC and Taiwan this week.

  Type: Podcasts

• Electronics Manufacturing Capabilities for Industrial Environments

  Industrial environments need industrial-strength components. But how can you ensure products will remain robust for years in harsh surroundings?

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Designing for Problem-Free Manufacturing

  A Design for Manufacturing (DFM) plan helps guide every new product development step to achieve excellent end results.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Altimade Fuses Design with Manufacturing

  Taking a new design from concept to manufacturing can be difficult, and transferring files to the manufacturer can take unprecedented blocks of time.

  Type: Blog

• Chunk 2 Chunk Current Returns

  This week we have PCB ground layouts and what to thing about in regards to current returns, elevated inductors, and should XYRS have a Z component?

  Type: Podcasts

• Another Tool for Your Toolbox

  Is it time for Stephen to finally get a 3D printer and join the maker revolution? Parker and Stephen discuss how engineers use 3D printers this week.

  Type: Podcasts

• Plastic Deg-Ra-Dation with Scott Hansen of Retro-Brite

  Our guest this week is Scott Hansen, Founder of Retro-Brite which restores yellowed plastics by reversing the chromophores degradation.

  Type: Podcasts

• Can a Factory Actually Build Your Entire Product Portfolio?

  Between NPIs, legacy parts, prototypes, and ongoing production runs, order size can vary. Can one factory do it all and do it well?

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Electronics Manufacturing in China and Mexico: A Comparative Analysis

  Manufacturing location is a serious decision with long term ramifications. EEs and tech startups must weigh all factors before choosing a location.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Choose the Optimal Electronics Manufacturer for New Product Prototyping

  As new technologies, capabilities, and manufacturing equipment come into play, the prototyping phase validates the functionality of a new product.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Engineering Development Maturity Assessment for Electronics Manufacturing

  Designed to measure and improve processes, a successful engineering development maturity assessment determines design viability & manufacturing readiness.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• The Nearshoring Trend: Will Mexico Win Over China?

  In the last several years automotive giants like GM, Volkswagen, and Nissan have all shifted some manufacturing work South of the border.

  Type: Blog

• How Digital Manufacturing Can Improve Your HMLV Outputs

  Purchasing teams & supply chain professionals need flexibility to negotiate the intricacies of an HMLV strategy. Learn how digital manufacturing can help.

  Type: Blog

• The Advantages of a China Plus One Supply Chain Strategy

  Relying only on Chinese manufacturers may not be the best electronics supply chain strategy today. A China plus one strategy can help.

  Type: Blog

• Rapid PCB Prototyping with Cloud Manufacturing

  Rapid PCB prototyping approaches using cloud manufacturing can help time to market

  Type: Blog

• A Rant About How Magnets Work

  Topics include StarWars, NASA, Magnets, Perpetual Energy, and Virtual Grounding.

  Type: Podcasts

• Strategic Component Sourcing with Cody Endlich

  Cody Endlich joins Stephen and Parker to discuss electrical component distribution, counterfeit parts, risk mitigation, and MacroFab joining the ERAI.

  Type: Podcasts

• Work to Automate the Work

  On this episode, Parker discusses his current adventure in testing and qualifying ratcheting wrenches and Stephen finally learns the magic of python!

  Type: Podcasts

• The Drop Ship Shuffle

  The supply chain crunch is effecting more industries then the electronic industry and is exposing the drop ship shuffle of retailers and inventory.

  Type: Podcasts

• What Engineer’s Seek

  What is the comet grounding technique? Is it actually made up by someone on twitter? Maybe? Find out on this episode of the MacroFab Podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• Webinars

  Covering prototypes, manufacturing, production and supply chains, our Webinars give powerful insight into MacroFabs capabilities and solutions.

  Type: Page

• Avoiding Line-Down and Production Stops At The Design Stage

  Join us as we discuss rules and strategies for design engineers to support continued manufacturing in times of ever-increasing supply chain delays.

  Type: Webinars

• Risks and Benefits of Alternative Sourcing Strategies

  Discussing the differences in Independent Distributors, Brokers, and Secondary Source markets. We'll cover how each operates.

  Type: Webinars

• Current State of the Electronics Supply Chain

  Current status of the electronics supply chain: which materials are facing new supply pressures, which are improving, and which remain challenges.

  Type: Webinars

• Using Digital Tools for the Design from Prototype to Production

  A product demonstration managing prototype production, version & track changes, transition from engineering to purchasing teams, & manage purchasing.

  Type: Webinars

• The Shortest Path From Prototype To Production

  Experts from Altium, MacroFab, & Xometry show how to accelerate your new products from idea to customer and capture market value away from companies.

  Type: Webinars

• Moving Faster and Working Around Supply Chain Disruptions

  Experts from Altium, MacroFab, and Xometry show how building a digital thread from design stages to production at scale allows you to eliminate delays.

  Type: Webinars

• Digital Manufacturing - From Design to Production

  The current state of digital manufacturing and the range of processes platforms enable faster product development and its future.

  Type: Webinars

• Avoid PCB Manufacturing and Product Assembly Issues

  We'll focus on best practices & CAD features that help design & produce manufacturable boards, eliminate board re-spins & reduce time on design iterations.

  Type: Webinars

• Altium and MacroFab Partnership

  Altium and MacroFab Partner to Launch Industry-First Integrated PCB “Design WITH Manufacturing” Application

  Type: News

• MacroFab Platform Updated with New Suppliers & Flexibility

  Additional suppliers increase component sourcing options, enhancing MacroFab's distributed supply chain, and mean less interruption from part shortages.

  Type: News

• Predicting Risk and Improving Decisions Beyond the Pandemic

  Not all supply chain problems are attributed to COVID-19. Your customer experience relies heavily on accurately predicting risk.

  Type: Webinars

• Case Studies

  Learn more about how our clients have gone from prototype to market quickly, easily and affordably with MacroFab’s smart manufacturing solutions.

  Type: Page

• OSBeehives Case Study

  OSBeehives is on a mission to technify the beekeeping industry identifying causes and solutions for colony health deterioration.

  Type: Case Studies

• Specdrums Case Study

  Specdrums created a device designed to turn colors into sounds, with an end goal of making music more accessible to people of all ages and communities.

  Type: Case Studies

• Kinetic's Case Study

  Kinetic's wearable IoT device reduces workflorce injuries. Learn how they worked with MacroFab to manufacture their prototypes then thousands of units.

  Type: Case Studies

• Somewear Labs Case Study

  MacroFab helped Somewear Labs evaluate costs between two design options so they could quickly make the right business decision for their product launch.

  Type: Case Studies

• Benefits of Nearshoring or Reshoring Your Electronics Manufacturing

  China’s dominant role as the “world’s factory” has recently clashed with the real need for agility and quick turnaround for specialized production.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Overcoming Electronics Supply Chain Disruptions Using Cloud Manufacturing

  Our supplier networks are deeply intertwined. Regional occurrences can affect locations halfway across the world.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Managing the Risks of Alternative Sourcing in PCBA Electronics

  Q4 of 2021 saw a 150% increase in component search activity as companies searched for ways to meet deadlines and maintain revenue.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Electronics Contract Manufacturer Candidate Decision Matrix

  This decision matrix will help you identify your manufacturing priorities so you can choose the electronics contract manufacturer that can best serve them.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Digital Supply Chains: Advantages for Electronics Manufacturing

  With recent supply shortages, long lead times, and logistics challenges, manufacturers need a better long-term approach to supply chain continuity.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• US Supply Chain Is Most Vulnerable: Challenges and Opportunities

  What challenges should you be aware of right now that may affect your own US supply chain, and what strategies should you consider to further cut risk?

  Type: Blog

• Five Ways to Prevent Waste on PCBA Prototyping

  PCBA prototyping establishes design feasibility and future manufacturability. Read our tips to prevent waste and improve success rates.

  Type: Blog

• The Benefits of a Digital Manufacturing Partnership

  Working with a digital manufacturing partner offers new opportunities through rapid prototyping, elastic manufacturing, and operational efficiency.

  Type: Blog

• The Bullwhip Effect: How Cloud Manufacturing Can Help

  The bullwhip effect is a phenomenon where ever-growing fluctuations across the entire supply chain create unforeseen and unwanted results.

  Type: Blog

• Tips for Reducing Single Source Electronics Component Risk

  Relying on a single-source part is one of the riskiest moves an engineer can make to ensure design success.

  Type: Blog

• Successful PCBA Documentation Tips

  An electronics engineer job is to make sure documentation is clean, up to date, and complete, which keeps production online and mitigates challenges.

  Type: Blog

• Cloud Manufacturing: Advantages for Rapid PCBA Prototyping

  Rapid PCBA prototyping helps move designs quickly through this process and on to full production. MacroFab can expedite this process in several ways.

  Type: Blog

• Accelerated Electronics Product Design Using Cloud Manufacturing

  Cloud manufacturing solutions are on the rise, thanks in large part to the rapid adoption of smart technology in industrial settings.

  Type: Blog

• Strategic Sourcing Builds Organizational Resilience

  Manufacturers must enhance supply chain efficiencies with the right suppliers to mitigate risks, shorten lead times, and increase inventory visibility.

  Type: Blog

• Sourcing, Fabrication, Assembly & Testing Capabilities

  MacroFab capabilities include fine-pitch BGA, HDI, and QFN assembly. Download this document for an overview of our fabrication and assembly specifications.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Electronics Cloud Manufacturing Services Deliver New PCB Possibilities

  Electronic product development is a highly iterative process that involves going back and forth between the design and manufacturing stages.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Risk Management Tips for PCB Design and Manufacturing

  In the post-Covid supply chain, engineers must consider form, fit, and function and also whether there will be components available to build their product.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Is Your Electronics Supply Chain Risk Blind or Risk Resilient?

  The semiconductor shortage has hindered production across industries, including the home appliance and telecommunications sectors.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Strategies to Facilitate Painless Production

  When designing new electronics products, it’s crucial to think ahead to production. Designs should anticipate challenges and minimize future modifications.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Electronic Component Sourcing Using Digital Tools and Modern Techniques

  Quality components lead to quality goods, higher sales, and better customer experiences. Yet, there’s a problem...

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Avoiding EMS Assembly Issues Using ECAD/MCAD Integration

  CAD tools improves the design process accomplishes mechanical modeling, thermal modeling, and stress simulations using a single tool CAD analysis.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Checklist: Step-by-Step Guide to PCBA Production

  We’ve put together an electronics production checklist to help you confidently scale through each production phase.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• How PCB Cloud Manufacturing Can Drive IoT Hardware Innovation

  This article discusses how PCB cloud manufacturing supports and enables IoT hardware development.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• The Electronics Product Design Lifecycle: How Delays Happen

  Teams working through the PCBA engineering design cycle must iterate through various production stages, including prototyping, EVT, DVT, and PVT.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• The Electronics Product Development Lifecycle

  Product owners are critical to the success of the electronic product development lifecycle, providing strategic direction and focus for the organization.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Improve Electronics Procurement with Modern Strategic Sourcing Principles

  OEM's can adapt to market trends, withstand disruption, maximize operational efficiency, and automate procurement processes.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• How Cloud Data Improves Your Electronics Inventory Forecasting

  Increasing demand for competitive efficiency has moved today’s inventory control systems beyond simple automated tasks.

  Type: Webinars

• Electronics Product Management: Ways to Speed Time to Market

  Join us as we discuss different ways to facilitate efficient design processes, increasing development speed and cutting your time to market.

  Type: Webinars

• How Cloud Technology Benefits Manufacturing Efficiency

  Electronics cloud manufacturing provides a data-centric environment that can break down walls between your teams and enhance overall company performance.

  Type: Webinars

• North American Electronics Prototyping: Risks and Benefits

  If you’re thinking of using a US-based partner for your next project, what should you be aware of before you make the move?

  Type: Webinars

• Four Reasons Your Electronics Team Can't Deliver on Time

  This webinar will share factors within your control that will help you avoid problems that can derail your project before it even begins.

  Type: Webinars

• Engineer's Guide To EVT DVT PVT Using Electronics Cloud Manufacturing

  Find out how to keep your PCBA project on course with cloud manufacturing.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• The Complete Guide to Electronics Cloud Manufacturing

  Find out how electronics cloud manufacturing can transform the way you do business.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Ruggedized Electronics Design Basics: How to Increase Your PCBA Lifespan

  Ruggedization is more than just a drop test. Make sure your equipment lasts.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Engineer’s Guide to PCB Manufacturing and Intellectual Property

  What you don't know can hurt you. Protect your PCB intellectual property with these tips.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• What’s Holding Your Electronics Product Launch Back

  Don't let your customers down with a late product launch. Stay on schedule with these strategies.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• PCBA Cost and Complexity Design Factors You Should Know

  Late-shipped products can reduce your profits by 33%. Don't make these common PCBA design missteps.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Electronics Supply Chain Update Q2

  Q2 electronics supply chain update to give you deeper insight into market pressures affecting PCB assembly manufacturing today.

  Type: Blog

• Five Principles of Electronics DFM (Design for Manufacturing)

  Design for Manufacturing progression makes sure your end product is cost-effective, easy to produce, and maintains its reliability over time.

  Type: Blog

• Reasons Your EMS Development Team Can't Deliver on Time

  Sustaining operations demands an enormous effort that leaves you worn out. Unstable external pressures keep you wondering what tomorrow will bring.

  Type: Blog

• Develop a Demand Responsive Electronics Supply Chain

  As the electronics market deals with ongoing global disruptions, companies must find proactive ways to deal with changing and developing customer demand.

  Type: Blog

• Component Obsolescence: How it Affects the PCB Supply Chain

  How to mitigate your supply chains risks and extend your product life cycles with improved obsolescence management.

  Type: Blog

• The Growing Importance of Electronics Supply Chain Visibility

  Supply chain visibility is a priority for leaders today. Electronics supply chains face constant disruption. They’re also more fragile than we realized.

  Type: Blog

• Five Tips for Picking Your Electronics Contract Manufacturer

  Moving a new prototype through to a production-ready iteration takes more time and skill than many businesses have on their own.

  Type: Blog

• The Last 5 Checks Before Uploading Electronics Prototype Designs

  Your PCBA prototyping success hinges on adhering to a comprehensive final checklist designed to close out open items from the design.

  Type: Blog

• MCAD and ECAD Collaboration for Smart Electronics Design

  Electrical and mechanical automated design occur simultaneously reducing possible validation gaps when two separate design efforts happen independently.

  Type: Blog

• Integrated Data and How It Improves Electronics Procurement

  Many supply chain teams don’t have the information needed to make informed decisions. They can’t respond effectively to disruption or keep up with demand.

  Type: Blog

• Electronics Multi-Sourcing: How MacroFab Makes it Easier

  Our supply chains are more complex than ever, as are the products we create. It’s hard for procurement teams to avoid disruption and meet timelines.

  Type: Blog

• Electronics Supply Chain Problems Affecting Manufacturing

  93 percent of business leaders surveyed by McKinsey have plans to make their supply chains more flexible, agile, and resilient.

  Type: Blog

• Optimize Your PCBA Project Manager Role with Cloud Manufacturing

  A good PCBA project manager can make or break a project. Without the right tools at their disposal, even the best project manager can become overwhelmed.

  Type: Blog

• Common EMS Engineer-Product Owner Production Conflicts

  Exploring the relationship between product owners and electronics engineers, explain where it can go wrong and offer solutions to help get back on track.

  Type: Blog

• Fab Insights: EVT in PCBA Product Development

  The engineering validation test (EVT) stage determines whether your PCBA design meets your customer’s functional product requirements.

  Type: Blog

• Fab Insights: DVT in PCBA Product Development

  Once a new development project completes the evaluation validation test (EVT) process, it is time to undertake the DVT (Design Validation Test) stage.

  Type: Blog

• Cloud Manufacturing Reduces Electronic Supply Chain Disruptions

  Here are three specific ways cloud manufacturing simplifies sourcing and procurement for supply chain professionals today.

  Type: Blog

• A Practical Guide to Solder Flux

  The assembly manufacturing process, including solder flux, has a large impact on the success of final product quality.

  Type: Blog

• FAB Insights: PVT in PCBA Product Development

  The production validation test (PVT) stage is a key milestone to proving your new PCBA project design can successfully run at full production volumes.

  Type: Blog

• Cooling Techniques for Rugged PCBA Designs

  This short blog post covers design strategies for coping with and dissipating excess heat.

  Type: Blog

• The Five Biggest Design Mistakes for PCBAs

  When it comes to PCBA manufacturing, take the time to consider all the challenges and risks you face.

  Type: Blog

• FAB Insights: ENIG vs. ENEPIG

  Let’s review surface finishes ENIG vs. ENEPIG in a side-by-side comparison to identify the best option for your PCBA projects.

  Type: Blog

• Design Faster, Improve Quality: Tips for PCBA Development

  Your bottom line will suffer if you ship products late. You need a way to successfully accelerate product development during these challenging times.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• How EMS Manufacturing Benefits from Human-AI Teamwork

  The benefits of AI are clear faster decision-making, better integration, and increased efficiency, to name a few.

  Type: Blog

• Understanding Conformal Coating Vs. Potting/ Encapsulation

  Here is a quick overview of encapsulation vs. conformal coating, as well as their best uses.

  Type: Blog

• How to Document Your PCBA Process for Better Results

  We’ll walk you through the types of documentation your project requires, and how better documentation can speed up your PCBA project development.

  Type: Blog

• Castellations: How to Use Them in PCBA Design

  We will review what castellations are, why they get used, and several design considerations for castellated edges.

  Type: Blog

• October 7 is MFG Day!

  The United States celebrates National Manufacturing Day, promoting awareness about the abundance of manufacturing employment and career opportunities.

  Type: Blog

• Advantages of Manufacturing PCBAs in Mexico with American-Based MacroFab

  Switching to Mexico today is a smart move for companies with midsize to large production runs wanting to enjoy nearshoring manufacturing advantages.

  Type: Blog

• 100-Day Countdown to Lunar New Year 2023

  Lunar New Year festivities begin on January 22nd, 2023 and it begins a long period of disruption in Asian electronics manufacturing.

  Type: Blog

• Top Things You Should Know About Prototyping PCBAs in the USA

  Thanks to platforms like MacroFab, electronics engineers can now find viable prototyping options in the U.S. more easily than before.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Overview

  This brief document offers a short introduction to MacroFab's history, mission, and capabilities.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Electronics Supply Chain Trends That Will Shape 2023

  A focused analysis of factors affecting electronics manufacturing.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• How are Small Electronics Companies Handling Supply Chain Risk?

  With an appropriate strategy in place, you can increase your resilience and be responsive to your customers’ needs.

  Type: Blog

• How to Optimize PCBA Power Transfer with Parallel Impedance

  PCBA designs get smaller, faster, and more complex every day. How prepared are you?

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Recovery After COVID: How Electronics Supply Chains Have Changed

  Supply chains have changed; are you ready for the challenges of tomorrow?

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Why Electronics Production is Moving to Mexico From China

  With its proximity to the US, its large population, and its reasonable labor costs make Mexico a good choice for North American manufacturers.

  Type: Blog

• Electronics Sourcing

  Let MacroFab source your impossible-to-find electrical components and speed up your procurement process, even if you manufacture elsewhere.

  Type: Page

• PCBA Capabilities

  Our platform automatically converts your information from Eagle, Altium, PADS, KiCAD, DipTrace, OrCAD and Allegro, and workspace integration with Altimade.

  Type: Page

• 75-Day Countdown to Lunar New Year 2023

  This blog will cover the information you need right now to keep your production running at its best during the Lunar New Year.

  Type: Blog

• Our Guarantee

  Our aim is to give you the best electronics manufacturing experience at globally competitive prices, with lower lead times and higher quality.

  Type: Page

• Videos

  Get expert insights about MacroFab with our video collection.

  Type: Page

• What’s the Motivation for the CHIPS Act?

  Misha Govshteyn, CEO of MacroFab, discusses the CHIPS Act and what it will and won't do to address the resiliency issues American electronics companies.

  Type: Videos

• How Does the CHIPS Act Affect Manufacturing?

  Can the CHIPS Act provide America with a secure supply of necessary components that will balance the market?

  Type: Videos

• CHIPS Act: When Will It Have An Impact On American Manufacturing?

  How long will it take for the $52 billion in Division A of the CHIPS Act to make a difference in manufacturing?

  Type: Videos

• Will Reshoring Grow American Electronics Manufacturing?

  When it comes to reshoring electronics production, how should companies view the opportunities and challenges?

  Type: Videos

• Lunar New Year Manufacturing Resilience Planning 2023

  Be prepared for disruptions to your manufacturing process by understanding how closures may change sourcing, logistics, and capacity around the globe.

  Type: Webinars

• Red Hot PCB: Single Key Mechanical Keyboard

  MacroFab Red Hot PCB features a the Big Switch, a fully-functional programmable macro key that runs QMK, has a mini USB port, and acts as a desk lamp.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Prime_O Keyboards

  This weeks' Red Hot PCB doesn't operate like your normal staggered keyboard but is an ortholinear keyboard custom designed by PrimeKB.

  Type: Blog

• Elemental Machines Case Study

  Elemental Machines Gains Manufacturing Flexibility, Engineering Design Services Partner in MacroFab.

  Type: Case Studies

• Renu Robotics Case Study

  Renu Robotics’ increased partnership with MacroFab has panned out well for the company they plan to produce more than 1,000 units through the platform.

  Type: Case Studies

• Houston Energy Company Case Study

  MacroFab helped a large Texas energy company decrease its inventory costs while improving its iteration turnaround times.

  Type: Case Studies

• Keyless Security Case Study

  When a growing keyless security brand noticed COVID-19-related stresses on their sourcing, MacroFab stepped in to offer a North American-based option.

  Type: Case Studies

• How It Works

  Here’s how our PCBA platform works. Upload your file and receive your quote. We’ll start your order in minutes and get it to you in as little as 10 days!

  Type: Page

• Electronics Manufacturing Nearshoring

  Embark on a straightforward transition to electronics manufacturing reshoring with MacroFab.

  Type: Nearshoring to Mexico

• Mexico: The New Hub for Electronics Manufacturing

  The quality of production in Mexico’s electronics manufacturing sector, especially for automotive and industrial is well known.

  Type: Nearshoring to Mexico

• Is Nearshoring to Mexico the Right Move?

  Both U.S. and foreign companies seeking to operate in North America can take advantage of nearshoring their electronics production to Mexico.

  Type: Nearshoring to Mexico

• Why Mexico is the Best ‘China Plus One’ Option

  Many companies utilize Mexico to build out parallel production lines in North America while still keeping some manufacturing in the APAC region.

  Type: Nearshoring to Mexico

• Red Hot PCB: Retroactive’s “64 Drive” Development Tool

  This week's Red Hot PCB comes from Retroactive and is a development tool for the Nintendo 64.

  Type: Blog

• Nearshoring to Mexico

  Moving some or all of your electronics manufacturing operations to Mexico is easy with MacroFab.

  Type: Page

• Red Hot PCB: Open Source Autonomous Vehicles, using ESP8266

  Our floor just finished assembling these boards, which are part of an interface for open source self-driving cars.

  Type: Blog

• Countdown to Lunar New Year: 8 Weeks to Prepare

  Eight weeks remain until Lunar New Year begins. What do you need to know right now?

  Type: Blog

• Chris Church of MacroFab, Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalist

  Chris Church, founder and Chief Product Officer of MacroFab, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 Central South Award finalist.

  Type: News

• Opamp-timal Power Supply

  Stephen talks about the Stupid Simple Power Supply (SSPS). He designed a OPA541 breakout board for testing.

  Type: Podcasts

• Mechanical MultiSIM Monsters

  Stephen continues his work on the SSPS and Parker gets busy building an X-Y gantry.

  Type: Podcasts

• Measuring up Your Interview Questions

  Interview questions, love em or hate em it is all something we have to go through. How does your technique measure up to Stephen's and Parker's?

  Type: Podcasts

• Hyperspace Part Packages

  Should we change the naming convention of component 'pin one' markings to component 'indicator marks'? Parker and Stephen discuss this week.

  Type: Podcasts

• What Would You Say You Do Here?

  Panelization of PCB Assemblies. Your Contract Manufacturer takes care of this but there are design choices that can radically alter your end costs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Metric Knuckle

  Is there a way to macgyver measuring a voltage without a multimeter? Is macgyvering even a word? Parker and Stephen discuss this for well too long.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Infinite Finite Grid

  Stephen and Parker continue the discussion of the voltage measurement. Can you come up with a way to measure voltage without precision tools?

  Type: Podcasts

• Mike Kahn of Elemental Machines

  Mike Kahn of Elemental Machines joins the podcast to discuss the integration of life sciences instrumentation and designing enterprise products.

  Type: Podcasts

• Berry Based Physics with Collin Anderson

  This week we have Collin Anderson on the podcast to discuss quantum wave mechanics and how it relates to electricity flowing through conductors.

  Type: Podcasts

• Supply Chain Crunches

  What are the pros and cons of becoming an electrical engineer? With great power comes great responsibility or just the lack of sleep!

  Type: Podcasts

• Rogue Gerbers – Jerry McDaniel of Customer Care at MacroFab

  Jerry McDaniel of MacroFab joins Stephen and Parker this week to discuss the customer's adventure at MacroFab and what it takes to succeed at PCBA.

  Type: Podcasts

• The PCB Plague

  Ever have PCBs that solder just will not wet and solder to? You probably thought it was improper soldering technique but that was probably not it!

  Type: Podcasts

• This Podcast Intentionally Left Blank

  Mandatory USB Type-C for everything? Parker and Stephen discuss the current EU ruling and preparing your PCBA design for contract manufacturing!

  Type: Podcasts

• Cody's Corner - Q2 2022

  Cody Endlich is back on the podcast to discuss the electronic component supply chain squeeze and what the future magic 8-ball says about the industry.

  Type: Podcasts

• Double as Good!

  Nichicon is obsoleting entire electrolytic capacitor lines. Is this a sign of how electronic component manufacturers will handle supply crunches?

  Type: Podcasts

• Your Toaster is Toast

  Part shortages and obsolescence got you down? Parker and Stephen have some tips and tricks to help your design stay ahead of the End Of Life game!

  Type: Podcasts

• Heirloom Documentation

  How important is documentation for your project? Many people view it as an afterthought but it should be just as or more important then your design!

  Type: Podcasts

• CSV File Woes

  This week Stephen learns the dangers of the modern software developers world! What do you do when updates break your process?

  Type: Podcasts

• Feature Complete or Minimal Viable Products

  Custom designed instrumentation tools? Stephen and Parker dive into differential oscilloscope probe designs on this week's episode of the MEP!

  Type: Podcasts

• Educated Compromises

  Project: Snackey gets released to the world! Or is it more of it was released upon the world? You choose!

  Type: Podcasts

• Necrobiotic Synthesizers

  Our Spider-sense is tingling... OH that is actually a man-made zombie spider crawling up my leg. Who thought that would be a good idea? WHO!?!

  Type: Podcasts

• Project Snackey Recap

  This episode is all about how Project Snackey performed at Defcon 30. Come listen to what went wrong, what went right, and how people reacted to it.

  Type: Podcasts

• Hackery Experts

  Hyr0n of the AND!XOR group joins the podcast this week to discuss the DEFCON 30 Hacker Smart Watch and what we can look forward to next year.

  Type: Podcasts

• Bricking Bad

  Burning the fuses on a new microcontroller can be a daunting challenge! One false move and you have bricked your unobtainium MCUs and ruined a build.

  Type: Podcasts

• Fierce Key Inventory

  When are our projects finally done or are projects destined to forever be a project? Parker and Stephen stand back from current projects and reflect.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Hot List of Tasty Chip Fabs

  More manufacturers sign on to the US CHIPS Act. Will spending $53 billion help actually help out our electronic supply chain problems? Find out!

  Type: Podcasts

• Calibrating CNCs with PCB Rulers

  Stephen has successfully resurrected his CNC machine. How good could a chain drive driven, wood based CNC actually be? Tune in to find out!

  Type: Podcasts

• Out Of Bounds Engineering

  Light pipes and panel mount indicators out of your projects budget? Listen for a FREE HACK on how to use the FR4 substrate as a light diffuser!

  Type: Podcasts

• AVRDUDE All The Way Down

  The Jeep Prop Fan project rides again! Well some iteration of it at least. Lets design an open source PCM (Power Control Module) for automotive apps!

  Type: Podcasts

• Connector Catalogs

  This is the last installment of Stephen's 'Adventures in Injection Molding'. We are going to recap the entire two year sage and close the book on it.

  Type: Podcasts

• Estimating Effort

  Why is estimating a projects completion time feel like it takes more work then the actual project? Estimating Project Time, the quest of management.

  Type: Podcasts

• Signal Switching for Maximum Offness

  Hail to the signal switcher! On this episode, Parker wraps up his prep work for the Extra-Life Charity stream and Stephen discusses switching signals.

  Type: Podcasts

• CNC Crafting

  Stephen starts his new CNC build and discusses machining ATP-5 aluminum tool plate! Parker recaps the charity stream and discusses what comes next.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Name Will Arrive

  The quest for the right connector for a project! The right of passage for any hardware electrical engineer starts with a connector catalog.

  Type: Podcasts

• A Consumable For Your Wallet

  Car companies are starting to roll out performance subscription services for vehicles but is this any different then consumable horse power adders?

  Type: Podcasts

• Liquid Toroidal Electrons

  Testing the OPA541, giant resistors, and capacitor weights?

  Type: Podcasts

• Linear Effects of Licensing

  New recording studio with Josh Moore for improved acoustics! SAIM machine running kinda, and Stephen on the SSPS.

  Type: Podcasts

• Tilting Tubes

  Stephen builds a 16bit A/D D/A board with a MAX5217BGUA+ and MAX11100EUB+.

  Type: Podcasts

• Mythical Transistors

  Parker is working on the front panel for the SSPS, Rigol DP832 woes, and Stephen does a guest lecture for the Iron Yard.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Art of Retention Force

  MacroFab now supports the ODB++ format and Why to Like USB 3.1

  Type: Podcasts

• When an Alien Craps

  The things that change the world, according to Chaos theory, are the tiny things. An Alien craps in Space and subsequently this podcast gets made.

  Type: Podcasts

• Bits That Don’t Quit

  Stephen and Parker discuss how the digital and analog side of the SSPS will work and interface with each other.

  Type: Podcasts

• Robots with Feelings

  Stephen does a full on simulation of analog section of the SSPS in MultiSim and Parker is working on a ESP8266 devboard.

  Type: Podcasts

• IoT’s Cloudy Future

  The MEP's first guest! Trey German joins Stephen and Parker to talk about Trey's latest project.

  Type: Podcasts

• False Fuses and Kitschy Kickstarters

  Parker talks about the PinHeck Test Fixture and all the pogo pins it uses and Stephen tests his Diode Compression Opamp.

  Type: Podcasts

• Silicon Condensers

  Stephen builds a custom old school tube microphone for Josh Moore and Parker gets a CU40045-UW1J display working.

  Type: Podcasts

• Impact of Wearables on PCBA Design: Their Past and Future

  A look at wearable technology's impact on PCBA design, and how the wearable market is evolving.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Picture Books for Engineers

  Parker has been testing the ESP-12E WiFi module which uses the ESP8266 IC.

  Type: Podcasts

• Discrepant Diodes

  Stephen makes progress on the FX Dev Board and Parker keeps working on the Stupid Simple Power Supply.

  Type: Podcasts

• Ridiculously Blinking LED

  Stephen is now almost done with the FX Development Board's final layout and enclosure design.

  Type: Podcasts

• Fixtures of Echoing Tubes

  Parker & Stephen discuss the NuTube from Korg USA and updates on the Jig of Destiny.

  Type: Podcasts

• System-in-Package (SiP) Platforms with Greg Sheridan

  This week Stephen and Parker discuss System-in-Package (SiP style chips) with Greg Sheridan of Octavo Systems.

  Type: Podcasts

• Classy Capacitors and Lab War Stories

  This week Stephen and Parker discuss capacitors, the Space Echo RE-201, and horror stories of college electronic labs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Panning for Caps

  Stephen and Parker discuss Gameboys using Raspberry Pi Zero, the FAA's new anti-drone system, and project updates.

  Type: Podcasts

• I Will Never Know You Viper

  Stephen and Parker have guests Matt Keas and Brian Dorton from the Iron Yard and discuss the IoT of EVERYTHING.

  Type: Podcasts

• Let The RF Hit The Noise Floor

  This week Stephen and Parker have Dustin Holliday as a guest to chat about the FCC and KiCad Python.

  Type: Podcasts

• Quirky Quadcopters with Scott Shawcroft

  This week Stephen and Parker have Scott Shawcroft of Chickadee-Tech as a guest. This episode is Quadcopter crazy.

  Type: Podcasts

• Interview with Ben Heck of The Ben Heck Show

  This week Stephen and Parker have Benjamin Heckendorn of The Ben Heck Show as a guest!

  Type: Podcasts

• Pokey Datasheets and Incognito Arduinos

  This week Stephen and Parker rant about terrible datasheets and incognito Arduinos.

  Type: Podcasts

• Lousy Datasheet Buyouts

  Stephen and Parker rant (again) on bad datasheets, ARM being bought out by SoftBank, and general project updates.

  Type: Podcasts

• Super Simple Buss Bars of Power

  Parker and Stephen talk about the SSPS Energon Cube and Eagle Part Libraries.

  Type: Podcasts

• If There is a Bug, You Can Fix It

  Stephen and Parker have Kwabena of OpenMV as a guest on this week's podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• Dissolving Energon Cubes

  Stephen and Parker chat about updates to the SSPS and FX Dev board.

  Type: Podcasts

• Modular Toilet Humor

  Stephen and Parker talk about progress on the part libraries, modular cell phones, toilet humor, and college dev tools.

  Type: Podcasts

• You won’t believe this ONE WEIRD Engineering trick

  Parker and Stephen talk about the Analog board of the SSPS and clickbait engineering article titles.

  Type: Podcasts

• Embedded Brewing with Arduinos

  Parker and Stephen talk about Stephen's Brewing Rig and designing the new PinHeck Pinball System.

  Type: Podcasts

• Erroneous Enclosures of Enormous Energy

  Parker and Stephen talk about an Audio Amp for Spooky Pinball based off the LM1875.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Macro Hour Mashup

  Today's podcast is special as Stephen and Parker have a Co-Podcast with The Amp Hour's Chris Gammell.

  Type: Podcasts

• Ghost Hunting with Centex Paranormal

  On this episode, Michael Lyons of Centex Paranormal visits Parker and Stephen at MacroFab.

  Type: Podcasts

• Surgical Synthesizers

  On this episode, Parker and Stephen talk about EFM8 MCUs and Hotwheel Capacitors.

  Type: Podcasts

• Cloud Net

  On this episode, Parker and Stephen talk about IoT Security Certifications and Arduinos...lots of Arduinos.

  Type: Podcasts

• Banned Arduinos and Tuning Software By Ear

  On this episode, Parker and Stephen talk about if the Arduino platform is right for students learning engineering.

  Type: Podcasts

• Trey German Returns and Automatic Game Overs

  On this episode, Trey German returns to talk about his paramotor flight monitoring hardware.

  Type: Podcasts

• Maniacal Moving

  On this episode, Stephen and Parker talk about MacroFab moving to a new location.

  Type: Podcasts

• Update on the MacroDuino and FX DEV Board

  On this episode, Stephen gives an update on the FX Dev board and Parker talks about his MacroDuino project.

  Type: Podcasts

• Houston Maker Faire 2016

  On this episode, Parker and Stephen talk about the Houston Maker Faire and the FX Dev Board.

  Type: Podcasts

• Two Brothers of MacroFab

  On this episode, Parker and Stephen have guests Brandon and Justin Knight of MacroFab.

  Type: Podcasts

• Jeep Radio Hacking with a Side of Synth

  On this episode, Parker and Stephen talk about Parker's Jeep radio and Stephen has an update to the Brewing Rig.

  Type: Podcasts

• Drive By DNA Destruction

  On this episode, Parker and Stephen talk about nuclear batteries and FCC/CE pre-compliance experiences.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: Improving Flight Simulation

  This featured circuit board contains ICs, which convert ARINC 429 data to a format that can be read by an attached Teensy micro-controller.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: QWERTY Keyboard Badge for Hackaday

  This is the newest revision of the Basic Badge. It has a full QWERTY keyboard, beautiful color screen, and a speaker with 3-voice audio.

  Type: Blog

• Zero Sum Resistor Arrays

  On this episode, Stephen and Parker continue on the Jeep Bluetooth mod and ask about zero ohm resistors.

  Type: Podcasts

• First Annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special

  On this episode, Josh joins Parker and Stephen as they dissect the technology behind the Star Wars Universe.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: High Performance Audio DAC

  MacroFab Red Hot PCB features the ApplePi DAC, an ultra-high performance audio I2S DAC hat for the Raspberry P that eliminates the need for pre-amplifiers.

  Type: Blog

• Missing Audio

  This episode suffered from a recording glitch so only half the audio exists. Sorry :(

  Type: Podcasts

• I.O.H. Internet of Howitzers

  On this Episode, Parker and Stephen discuss android powered artillery, flip-pins, and Amazon Alexa always listening...

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: Touch Sensors for Musical Instruments

  This week's Red Hot PCB comes from our customer, Vindor Music. They are building affordable electric saxophones for anyone with a desire to learn.

  Type: Blog

• Blinding LEDs and Bypass Capacitors of Another Kind

  On this Episode, Parker gets blinded by LEDs and Stephen learns Eagle! Also bypass caps free of charge.

  Type: Podcasts

• MacroFab Now Offers 10-Day Turnaround

  We are excited to launch a 10-day Prototype turnaround service. This service will benefit teams that quickly iterate on designs.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Dual Preamp Piano Amplifier

  This Red Hot PCB showcases a dual preamp and 40 watt power amplifier designed for vintage Wurlitzer 200 SST keyboards. It features a tremolo circuit.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: A Drum Machine in Your Pocket

  This week’s Red Hot PCB is a pocket drum machine that comes from Curious Sound Objects.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Microcontroller Powered Electonic Neuron Simulators

  This week's PCB is part of a biological neural network that are designed to understand the basics of the nervous system.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: RF digitizer focused in mezzanine for FPGA boards

  This week's PCB from our assembly is an FMC250, and is a form factor for FPGA boards. It has four 16-bit channels up to 250 MS/s sampling rate.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Illuminating Bike Light Control

  This week's Red Hot PCB is a remote that controls the LEDs on a bicycle's tail light system and also the bike helmet!

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Low-Noise Preamps for Signal Conditioning

  This week's PCB are part of low-noise preamps that provide signal conditioning for test equipment.

  Type: Blog

• The FX Development Board has landed!

  On this Episode, Stephen launches the FX Development Board and Parker finally settles on conference room names!

  Type: Podcasts

• SXSW Conference 2018 Technology Roundup

  SXSW Conference 2018 is here! Check out some of MacroFab's suggestions for informational sessions to attend in the Technology sector.

  Type: Blog

• No Flex Allowed

  On this Episode, Stephen and Parker talk about binned LEDs and what to look out for with mounting holes on PCBs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Maintaining Your Kickstarter Product to Ensure Success

  Electronic Kickstarter fulfillment is key. You'll want a manufacturer who manages and fulfills your Kickstarter inventory via cloud-based platform.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Handheld Augmented Reality

  This week's Red Hot PCB explores the live view of a real world environment, augmented reality.

  Type: Blog

• Anti Fitbits

  On this Episode, Parker and Stephen talk about silkscreen markings on diodes and tracking beer drinking.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: UWB Radio Carrier

  This UWB radio carrier enables autonomous flight of a drone using 3D localization.

  Type: Blog

• Aditya and Mijael of Kinetic with “The Device”

  On this Episode, Parker and Stephen have guests Aditya Bansal and Mijael Damian of Kinetic.

  Type: Podcasts

• RESULTS: MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED Sponsored by Mouser Electronics

  Howdy everyone! We're announcing the contest results for the 2018 MacroFab Design Contest.

  Type: Blog

• Stay Hydrated While Gaming

  On this Episode, Stephen and Parker talk about Capacitor Part Markings and some tough semiconductors.

  Type: Podcasts

• Trimming PCB Assembly Time: Three Tips for Startups

  Here are three things to look for in a manufacturer for your Startup's PCB assembly: instant PCB quotes, turn-key manufacturing, and a cloud platform.

  Type: Blog

• Unnecessary Engineering

  Stephen and Parker talk about thyristors, fancy pwm filters, and milkshakes.

  Type: Podcasts

• Cool PCB Mondays: Macetech’s RGB Shades

  MacroFab Blog - These awesome boards just came through our PCB Assembly! They are from Macetech and are a prototype for their WiFi RGB Shades.

  Type: Blog

• Making Services for Maker Communities

  We are on the cusp of a new world of electronics development, where no longer are large markets and huge financial investments prerequisites to ideas

  Type: Blog

• PCBA Hardware for Edge Computing: Why It’s On The Rise

  Distributed enterprises are pushing computing technology to the edge. Discover the why and how of edge devices.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• A Holistic Approach to Electronics Manufacturing Services

  One of the primary reasons why we started MacroFab was that we found that electronics manufacturing partners who were both interested in, and capable of,

  Type: Blog

• FT_Prog and Programming the FT230X

  I mentioned FT-Prog in my last blog post. FT-Prog is a utility to program the EEPROM on FTDI devices.

  Type: Blog

• Should Your Business Follow Apple Out of China?

  Apple’s pivot from its manufacturing in China spread this weekend. The Supply Chain Heat Map shows U.S. manufacturing orders from China are down 40%.

  Type: Blog

• USB UART Interface on the Cheap

  With USB interfaces on microcontroller devices a USB connection always adds significant cost to the design.

  Type: Blog

• Real-Time Manufacturing Updates in Your Inbox

  Wouldn’t it be great if you knew what was happening with your order the second it happened?

  Type: Blog

• Gotta Look Pro

  It is National Engineers Week and Stephen spills the beans on his Audio Amplifier Past.

  Type: Podcasts

• Controlling USB Bus Voltage with the FT230X

  The FT230X supports controlling a P-Channel mosfet for high side power control.

  Type: Blog

• Mr. Williams, Your Book Changed My Life

  Al Williams joins Parker and Stephen to discuss writing for Hackaday, Ham Radio, and obscure CPUs.

  Type: Podcasts

• DIP Sockets and a More Manageable Manufacturing Process

  Use this handy workaround to ensure DIP sockets and other through-hole parts have all the necessary information for placement and BOM.

  Type: Blog

• Tungsten I-Beams

  Patrick Renner and Kelly O'Brien discuss the boundary between Art and Engineering with MEP.

  Type: Podcasts

• New House Parts up Component Availability 04/2015

  MacroFab announces our new house parts list. These parts can reduce your design cost and ensure component availability for manufacture.

  Type: Blog

• Grass Fed PCBs

  Stephen and Parker discuss PCB surface finishes, custom work benches, and bit errors from outer space.

  Type: Podcasts

• Welcome Crowd Supply

  Creating, running, and fulfilling a successful crowdfunding campaign has proven to be a challenge for both novice entrepreneurs and established compan

  Type: Blog

• It’s a She, Right?

  Stephen and Parker talk with JOSH the mastermind behind the audio of the podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• Make Better Component Buying Decisions

  Making the correct component decisions for your product can be challenging.

  Type: Blog

• Introducing Version 2 of the MacroFab Cloud API

  In November, we released our integrated inventory and fulfillment features, bringing the promise of easy, single-vendor, delivery from prototype to cu

  Type: Blog

• What’s on the Board?

  whats-on-the-board

  Type: Blog

• Internet of Teddies

  Stephen and Parker talk about teddy bears, Raspberry Pi LVDS, and relays that last till the end of time.

  Type: Podcasts

• Integrate Manufacturing, Inventory, and Fulfillment

  Getting your product manufactured is the first step in creating happy customers, but what to do now that you've got hundreds, or even thousands of pro

  Type: Blog

• Yo Ho Ho and a Technological Bottle of Rum

  Parker and Stephen talk about the RPI3 CM project and Stephen throws down a design challenge!

  Type: Podcasts

• HEBI Robotics with Dave Rollinson

  Stephen and Parker talk with Dave Rollinson of HEBI Robotics.

  Type: Podcasts

• Stanford Student Space Initiative Project Interview

  Stephen and Parker talk with Sasha and Paige about high altitude balloons and the ValBal project.

  Type: Podcasts

• Partnering With Techstars

  When we started MacroFab in 2013, we knew that electronics manufacturing was a challenge for many new hardware start-ups: Parker and I were coming fro

  Type: Blog

• Fiducials are Fun!

  Fiducials, also known as fids or fiducial marks, let pick and place machines know the orientation of your circuit board. Read why this is important now.

  Type: Blog

• Self Driving Cars With Josh Hartung From Polysync

  Parker and Stephen have Josh from PolySync on the podcast to talk about self driving cars.

  Type: Podcasts

• New Bill of Materials Features – March 2016

  Today, we rolled out a few new features and enhancements that you've asked us for over the past few months. With each major software update we try to

  Type: Blog

• Cooking with Gears with MacroFab

  Parker and Stephen go over the design entrees for Stephen's design challenge!

  Type: Podcasts

• Top 3 Reasons to Choose Integrated Fulfillment

  For most Kickstarter creators and small businesses, the best option is a cloud manufacturing company that also offers integrated fulfillment.

  Type: Blog

• Don’t Get Analyticized

  Parker and Stephen talk about Stephen's Voltage Standard and in store Analytics.

  Type: Podcasts

• Sonic Massage

  More compressor IoT work, calibrating the space echo, and Stephen "plays" his synth.

  Type: Podcasts

• PCB Prototyping – The Hard Way and the Easy Way

  Cloud-based manufacturing is revolutionizing PCB prototyping, making ordering your boards almost as easy as ordering a pizza.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Supports Your Favorite EDA Tools like Altium, PADS, etc

  When it comes to the EDA world, there are as many ways to get manufacturing data out as there are tools. To make matters more difficult, many tools do

  Type: Blog

• Incognito Mode

  Zapp and HyR0n of AND!XOR talk about #BadgeLife and Defcon.

  Type: Podcasts

• Now With Multi-Layer and PCB Customization!

  We're pleased to announce our next big feature release: support for multi-layer boards and customized PCB options. With this software update, you now

  Type: Blog

• Bits Flying In

  Stephen learns that MIDI tutorials that are online only cover the basics and Parker has haunting vias.

  Type: Podcasts

• How Manufacturing APIs Enable Frictionless Fulfillment

  If you want to take the friction out of getting your products to customers, look for an integrated fulfillment partner that uses manufacturing APIs.

  Type: Blog

• Go from Idea to Delivery with Turnkey PCB Manufacturing Services

  With turnkey PCB manufacturing services, you can put 100% of your efforts into your business or project. You design it and we’ll take it from there.

  Type: Blog

• Manufacturing Companies Shift from Archaic to Agile

  Manufacturing companies will continue to become more aligned with the needs of today’s new crop of inventors by removing the friction from the process.

  Type: Blog

• Cloud Manufacturing FAQs

  Benefits of cloud manufacturing include scalability, visibility, and quick turn around. Find out more from a leading electronics cloud manufacturer.

  Type: Blog

• Wrong Variants

  Stephen gets his Synth's envelope working and Parker starts looking into Class D Amplifiers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Fire Sticks

  Parker talks about his serialized RGB LED modules for pinball and Stephen's Synth under goes surgery.

  Type: Podcasts

• Introducing Parts Consignment for PCB Manufacturing

  MacroFab offers parts consignment to give our customers additional ways to manage their BOM. Read more about this in our short blog.

  Type: Blog

• Top 10 Advantages of On-Demand Manufacturing

  On-demand manufacturing has a lot going for it. What can this technology do for your small business sourcing?

  Type: Blog

• Joe Grand: The Origin Story

  Guest Joe Grand aka "Kingpin" discusses the beginnings of DEF CON electronic badges.

  Type: Podcasts

• PCB Assembly Reengineered for Today’s Developers

  You can finally find a PCB assembly service that has been built from the ground up to reduce costs and speed production timelines.

  Type: Blog

• Reverse Biasing Opamps

  Parker learns Python and OpenCV and Stephen gets silly with transformers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Not Your Father’s PCB Prototype Company

  We set out to create a different type of PCB prototype company. We believe that there are genius thinkers among us and we want to make sure they succeed.

  Type: Blog

• Does the Simulation Match the Reality?

  Guests Ben Heckendorn and Chris Kraft discuss Spooky Pinball and the beginnings of 3D printers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Top 3 Reasons to Choose Cloud-Based PCB Assembly

  Software supports the entire PCB assembly cycle delivering big advantages for designers including, lower costs, faster service, and greater transparency.

  Type: Blog

• The Greek Tragedy of ADCs

  Battery less Cellphones, Raspberry Pi Compute Modules, ENOBs, and a 100W USB Type C eval board!

  Type: Podcasts

• 5 Myths About Hardware Prototyping - Busted

  Contrary to what you may have heard, hardware prototyping can be reasonably priced, fast, and easy for even inexperienced designers.

  Type: Blog

• The Top 8 Manufacturing Blogs to Follow

  "In addition to keeping an eye on our pages, there are quite a few other manufacturing blogs we can recommend. Here are eight great sites to follow.

  Type: Blog

• Unlocking Your Startup Success: PCBA Prototyping Made in America

  If you are new to the world of manufacturing and you need a PCBA prototype for your new business venture, you might have questions.

  Type: Blog

• How Crowdfunding Has Changed the Manufacturing Industry

  Crowdfunding has created strong demand for low volume manufacturing, made in America, with quick turn -around times, and reasonable prices.

  Type: Blog

• The IdeaFab Podcast

  Guests Scott and Eric of The Idea Tank Podcast join Parker and Stephen.

  Type: Podcasts

• No Guru Here

  Parker and Stephen talk about roomba spy machines and counterfeit USB RS-232 cables.

  Type: Podcasts

• Dueling OpAmp Inputs

  Stephen makes a peristaltic pump and Parker hacks his Jeeps turn signals for LEDs!

  Type: Podcasts

• Lessons to Learn from Lean Manufacturing

  The principles of Lean manufacturing offer helpful guidance for any type of commercial endeavor, no matter how big or small.

  Type: Blog

• The Brick That Shall Not Be Named: A Joe Broms Story

  Guest Joseph Broms talks about his experience in prototyping and designing his product ProtoBricks.

  Type: Podcasts

• What Books, Music and Prototyping Manufacturing Share

  The same forces that democratized book and music publishing are now at play in the world of prototyping manufacturing.

  Type: Blog

• New MacroFab House Parts – Pin Headers (Sept. 2016)

  We've expanded our House Parts to include single row pin headers.

  Type: Blog

• Answers to 9 Common Questions about PCB Assembly

  Fortunately for today’s inventors, there has been a move away from the old PCB assembly approach to a new more flexible and responsive model.

  Type: Blog

• Printed Circuit Board Manufacturers Are Changing the Game

  Printed circuit board manufacturers have changed the way they operate to embrace modern and innovative approaches like the products they manufacture.

  Type: Blog

• From Garage to Global: The Startup Guide to PCBA Manufacturing

  When do you know your startup's tech idea is ready for manufacture? And what are the steps to get you to a finished design?

  Type: Blog

• How to Get Your First PCB Prototype Manufactured

  There’s a first time for everything, but first times can be tough. To help, we’ve put together this guide on getting from idea to PCB prototype.

  Type: Blog

• What are Wearables, and Where Did the “Best” Ones Go?

  Life after Google Glass and the rise of Snap. While it is too early to predict what form wearable technology will take, the possibilities are endless.

  Type: Blog

• Eddie Samuels and Comma.ai

  Guest Eddie Samuels joins Parker and Stephen to talk about Comma.ai and low noise regulators.

  Type: Podcasts

• 7 Ways to Set Yourself Up for PCB Design Success

  The 7 best ways we've found to cut your PCB design time, reduce spins, and make life a lot easier on yourself. Enjoy and happy designing.

  Type: Blog

• Make Electrons Flow Right?

  Stephen finishes his Synth and jams some tunes!

  Type: Podcasts

• The Internet of Things Brings a New Era of Manufacturing

  A new age is about to dawn for the manufacturing industry. Technologies related to the Internet of Things are paving the way for smart manufacturing.

  Type: Blog

• PCB Assembly – Infrequently Asked Questions

  If you want to get the most out of your relationship, these are some questions that you really should ask every PCB assembly partner you consider.

  Type: Blog

• The 6 Stages of Turnkey PCB Manufacturing

  Modern manufacturing partners need to provide more than PCB manufacturing. That’s why the best partners offer turnkey PCB manufacturing in 6 steps.

  Type: Blog

• The One Man Entertainment Machine

  John Adams joins Parker and Stephen to discuss IoT Security, Crappy IoT Devices, and WS2812B LEDs.

  Type: Podcasts

• New Product Fulfillment Workflow

  We’ve made some changes to the Product Fulfillment workflow.

  Type: Blog

• The 8 Wastes of Lean Manufacturing and How to Fight Them

  There’s no way to eliminate all waste, but Lean manufacturing tools and techniques can keep it to a minimum. Read our 8 Wastes of Lean MFG Blog now.

  Type: Blog

• New Build Planning Tool for Products

  Introducing MacroFab's new build planning tool for products.

  Type: Blog

• Introducing the Dashboard

  The new MacroFab dashboard enables you to quickly find out the status of PCB manufacturing, inventory, and fulfillment requests.

  Type: Blog

• 3D Printed PCBs Are On the Horizon

  The electronics manufacturing industry will soon be able to leverage 3D printing to change the way that products are built, tested, & delivered

  Type: Blog

• Simplifying the PCB Ordering Process

  We’re always looking for new ways to make the PCB ordering process more efficient. Our system automatically analyzes the silkscreen, paste data, and....

  Type: Blog

• Hungry Hungry Op Amps

  Parker and Stephen just talk about Projects... Just Projects for 30 minutes.

  Type: Podcasts

• Cool PCB Monday: RIT's Bipedal Robot

  This week’s featured board comes from Matt, a BS/MS student in Electrical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester.

  Type: Blog

• Space Engineers VS Caffeinated Chipmunks

  Parker and Stephen talk about fixing Motorcycles, new podcast gear, and fatbergs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Don’t Try This At Home

  Annika O'Brien joins Parker and Stephen in the MacroFab Variety Hour Podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• Requesting Returns is Now Easier Than Ever

  We simplified the return process by building in an easy way to report issues and request returns within the MacroFab platform.

  Type: Blog

• Join Us at SXSW Interactive 2017

  We're attending the 4th annual Hardware House at WeWork Austin.

  Type: Blog

• Liquid Hot “Magma”

  Stephen and Parker talk about secret evil engineering lairs and LEDs that are as bright as the sun!

  Type: Podcasts

• TLDR; Life

  Stephen finishes his project and Parker starts hacking his Jeep's wiring harness.

  Type: Podcasts

• What Will Happen in Manufacturing in 2017? Our Predictions.

  During 2017, new technologies and ways of working will transform how products are brought to market and expand the ability to innovate.

  Type: Blog

• Quick Guide to Distributed Manufacturing

  Distributed manufacturing decentralizes the materials and methods of fabrication by replacing much of the material supply chain with digital information.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Hardware & Electronics Engineering Meetup

  Our first meetup was a huge success! Looking forward to hosting these on the last Wednesday of every month.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Additive Robotics Motor Control

  This week's featured PCB comes from Additive Robotics. It is an integrated interface for brushless DC (BLDC) motors.

  Type: Blog

• Randomly Determined

  Parker butt splices his Jeep's wiring harness and Stephen brews some prison wine.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: Fuzz Effects Pedals from FranaFX

  This week’s Red Hot PCB is part of an effects pedal from Frana Effects and will be used to function a Fuzz pedal. Rock on!

  Type: Blog

• Development Board Guilt

  Chris Gammell of Contextual Electronics and The Amp Hour join Parker and Stephen for a second time!

  Type: Podcasts

• An Ampersand Made Me A Hero

  Mike Williams and Kaylan Smith join Parker and Stephen to talk about developer life at MacroFab.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB of the Week: Bucknell University

  Red Hot PCB of the Week: Bucknell University helping students understand that seemingly simple systems on the outside can be quite complex on the inside.

  Type: Blog

• Through Hole on Cruise Control

  Stephen gives his thoughts on high volume through hole soldering.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: Specdrums Drumstick

  Red Hot PCB: Specdrums drumstick - an electronic device that will transform colors into sound by tapping on them.

  Type: Blog

• AND!XOR DEFCON 25 Indie Badge

  This week’s sizzling, red hot PCB goes to AND!XOR’s DEFCON 25 Indie Badge

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Passive ICs

  This week's Red Hot PCB features passive ICs, 4 15-pin D-Sub connectors and LEDs for an academic experiment that will track the movement of rats.

  Type: Blog

• Glue A Penny On It

  Parker and Stephen talk about the kind of solder they like, fluxes, and AliOS.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: Burning Man LED’s

  This week's Red Hot PCB comes from Eran and is an LED controller for Burning Man, bicycle lights or feather boas!

  Type: Blog

• Al Williams and the Field Programmable Gate Arrays

  Al Williams returns to talk about FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) and how to get started.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: FDR Design for Window Sensors

  This week's featured PCB is fresh out of our assembly line and will be installed into windows to capture information about their wear and tear.

  Type: Blog

• Putting English on Electrons

  Mike Williams co-hosts the podcast for the first time, IoT devices shutting down, and Tesla's new Truck

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: OpenMV Anniversary Gift

  Red Hot PCB: This cool MiniMe is an anniversary gift for the designer's wife and has an LED heart. She's one lucky lady!

  Type: Blog

• I Expect You To be Bored Mr. Bond

  Arduino power usage, IoT Toilet paper, and the aftermath of the Science Museum project.

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: Compressor Engineering’s Vent Flow Analysis Tool

  This week's Red Hot PCB comes from Compressor Engineering (CECO) a Houston based company that specializes in compressor parts and repair.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Mapping technology for indoor environments

  These beautiful boards from our assembly line are part of a product that simplifies indoor mapping and location to ID opportunities to reduce costs.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Milestone – 1,000th Panel

  The production of our 1,000th job is the latest in our team's recent achievements. Each job or panel can contain orders for 20 or more customers.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Smart Motion Control Products

  This week's Red Hot PCB, out of our assembly line, is called Precedent Motion, from a company called Precedent Engineering and will be a smart version

  Type: Blog

• The One They Talk About Football Fields For a Long Time

  If American Football is a game of inches, the tolerance of the field, markings, and measuring devices must be lower than that.... right?

  Type: Podcasts

• Red Hot PCB: Cellular Data Acquisition Technology

  This weeks Red Hot PCB features a design by Metiric that can monitor different materials used in building envelopes

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Update: Hurricane Harvey

  This post will be updated to notify everyone of our current status as it develops, related to Hurricane Harvey. Updated 8/31

  Type: Blog

• The Next Electronics Manufacturing Revolution

  Contract electronics manufacturing is experiencing a revolution driven by cloud software targeting the low and mid-volume segments of the market.

  Type: Blog

• Updates to MacroFab’s Bill Of Materials (BOM) Interface

  We’ve added usability enhancements, and simplified the BOM screen for a more streamlined experience and greater performance.

  Type: Blog

• Announcing Updates to the MacroFab PCB and Placement Interfaces

  We’ve made the manufacturing approval process more seamless with updates to our PCB and Placement screens.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Launches Easier PCB Instant Quote Interface

  MacroFab announces the launch of our easier PCB Assembly Instant Quote Interface. Get quotes when you want them through our platform.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Expands Production Services Into Mexico

  MacroFab expands manufacturing services to Mexico, offering customers streamlined international production at globally competitive prices.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Robotic Neuroscience Technology

  This driver board for the iRat just came out of our assembly line. It's a tool for robotic neuroscience studies at the University of Queensland.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: BTE Heat Sensor Arrays

  This week's Red Hot PCB features a sensory data board designed by BTE Technologies whose mission is to enhance a healthier work environment.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Liquid Level Monitors

  This weeks Red Hot PCB features Dixon Bayco's monitor boards that measure hazardous liquids to maintain safety operations within chemical facilities."

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Lunar Pioneering

  This weeks Red Hot PCB was developed by Astrobotics for their goal to send payloads to the moon using planetary drones!

  Type: Blog

• The Internet of Mothers

  Agustin Pelaez and Cameron Klotz of Ubidots talk about what is IoT and how to start an IoT Project.

  Type: Podcasts

• MacroFab PCBA Platform Now Has Faster Turnaround and Online Updates

  We are excited to launch updates to our platform, including high volume production pricing, 10-day turnaroun, and a sharper, more intuitive interface.

  Type: Blog

• Second Annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special

  Parker and Stephen are joined by Taylor Smith as they talk about Star Wars data storage and Rogue One.

  Type: Podcasts

• CEO Chris Church Speaks at HYPE Event

  Houston Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs HYPE event brought together young professionals and entrepreneurs to engage in the diverse Houston communit

  Type: Blog

• Moses Parting the Sea of Traces

  Parker and Stephen discuss using PCB materials for enclosures, distance sensing, and EDA tool updates.

  Type: Podcasts

• February 2018 Platform Updates

  We’ve been making a lot of changes to maximize your experience in our platform. Here's what's new!

  Type: Blog

• Component Market Shortages: Passives MLCCs

  Increased demand for passives, especially MLCCs, has resulted in market shortages. Find out more in MacroFab's short market review.

  Type: Blog

• The Q&A Episode

  Iris, Parker, and Stephen answer submitted questions from our listeners!

  Type: Podcasts

• Playing the New Doom

  Stephen and Parker talk about the DSO138 Oscilloscope and when external pullups should be used on MCUs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Our Trip to MakeHarvard 2018

  We proudly sponsored MakeHarvard 2018 - the first engineering hackathon at Harvard University. Here's a recap of the event.

  Type: Blog

• 8 Bit Rupee Wallets

  Stephen brings up alternative uses for assembly layers in PCB design and Parker uses OctoPrint!

  Type: Podcasts

• Announcing the MF Employee of Q3 2017!

  Announcing our MF employee of Q3. Our quarterly employee awards spotlight team members that are helping us grow.

  Type: Blog

• The Current Source with Derek Brodeur

  Guest Derek Brodeur discusses YouTube, Doppler Shift, Growing Microchips, and Doritos Dust.

  Type: Podcasts

• Apples and Astronauts

  Toaster controllers, Hexa Precision, I2S Audio DACs, and Bagels.

  Type: Podcasts

• Community Dice

  Parker talks about his latest engineering article and the Raspberry Pi CM PCB, and Stephen brings up geometry!

  Type: Podcasts

• MacroRoundup for Week 14 of 2018

  MacroFab Roundup #18 features articles on FUZE Bluetooth, ceramic capacitors, choosing bypass capacitors, as well as MF platform updates and event info.

  Type: Blog

• Announcing MF Employee of Q4 2017!

  Announcing MF employee of Q4! Employee of the quarter shows off our team and spotlights hard working individuals helping us grow.

  Type: Blog

• John Teel of Predictable Designs

  Guest John Teel talks about how to make new hardware projects more predictable for manufacturing.

  Type: Podcasts

• Orthogonal for Mutual Conductance

  Stephen melts his brewery's SSR, Parker fixes his PCM5122 DAC, and Adventures in Autorouting.

  Type: Podcasts

• Crazy Transistor Contraptions

  Parker reveals the results of the PCM5122 DAC testing and Stephens suffers the midi woes.

  Type: Podcasts

• Arduino, The Gateway Drug To #BadgeLife

  AND!XOR comes to Texas to talk about #Badgelife, the craziness of DEFCON, and their new badge design.

  Type: Podcasts

• Dangling Transformers

  Stephen shows off his ribbon microphone created from scratch and Parker reveals the future of the PinHeck REV8 Platform.

  Type: Podcasts

• Logic Commander

  Slow/soft Start devices and circuits, Shark Fin sound effects, and Belt Buckle Badge Designs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Bruce Hamby and Owning Your Product

  Bruce doles out plenty of legal advice on owning your brand, owning your technology and establishing your FTO.

  Type: Podcasts

• Put All Your Power On Blue

  Stephen learns how to draw designs in Fusion 360 and Parker gets his PCM5122 DAC to talk to an Arduino.

  Type: Podcasts

• Chasing Oscillations

  Stephen hunts oscillations in the Serengeti while Parker watches out for danger noodles.

  Type: Podcasts

• From A Current Perspective

  Parker talks about revitalizing old projects, Stephen discusses all pass filters, and side entry into SMT pads.

  Type: Podcasts

• Standard-ish

  Stephen hacks an oscilloscope into a dynamic signal analyzer and Parker gets some verilog code to compile.

  Type: Podcasts

• Trey German Strikes Back

  Trey German is back! Military vehicles, free lance engineering, and flying make for an interesting podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• Battlestar Gallactic Grounds

  Parker tries out the new Eagle 9 and Stephen fixes Jerry's Amp and talks about PCB ground configurations.

  Type: Podcasts

• Tell Me How People Hurt You

  Parker and Stephen hang out and chat with Elecia White and Christopher White of the Embedded.FM podcast!

  Type: Podcasts

• Learn How to Cut PCB Fabrication Costs for Kickstarter Projects

  Good, fast and cheap. Getting all three is impossible for many products, but when it comes to Kickstarter PCB fabrication, you really can have them all.

  Type: Blog

• Choosing the Right PCBA Manufacturer for Your Tech Startup

  When it comes to Startup manufacturing, here are some key questions to ask about prototyping, inventory management, house parts, and more.

  Type: Blog

• On Art & Creating PCBs

  MacroFab Software Developer Kaylan Smith discusses how she went from fine arts to software development and PCB workflow and just how connected they are.

  Type: Blog

• Mastery of Skills and Wonder

  Parker and Stephen chat about the recent Nintendo Switch hack and Stephen moving to Colorado.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Magic of MacroFam

  Our Director of Operations delves into how he got into electronics manufacturing and why working at the Fab is where we bring the magic, every day.

  Type: Blog

• Red Hot PCB: Four Port USB Charger

  MacroFab Red Hot PCB features a 4 port USB charger allowing any USB-A compatible device to charge up to 2.7a. Charger includes LED wattmeter.

  Type: Blog

• Choose Your Own Adventure Level Shifter

  Parker and Stephen examine an interesting mute circuit Stephen designed for his amplifier and the SN74LVC8T245.

  Type: Podcasts

• Brandon Satrom and the LANoT

  Parker talks with Brandon Satrom of Particle about the future of IoT and then design and prototype an IoT device.

  Type: Podcasts

• Announcing MF Employee of Q1 2018!

  Announcing MacroFab's Q1 Employee of the Quarter! We appreciate our team and want the world to know it. Find out more about Jerry in this short blog.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Discount - Get $50 Off of Your Next MacroFab Order

  Between now and June 30, 2018, the first 500 customers to place a quote of $700 or more will get a discount of $50 off of their order. Learn more.

  Type: Blog

• Jiggling Jumper Cables

  Stephen is back! He calls in from Colorado to talk about his new occupation and how to read temperature thermistors.

  Type: Podcasts

• Decoding Tariff Impacts on US Electronics Manufacturing

  Tariffs being implemented by the US government in July of 2018 will add an overall expected cost of 3% to electronic assemblies made in the USA.

  Type: Blog

• The Many Hats of Startup Life

  Taylor discusses guiding customers through timelines and milestones to organization, planning and oversight of the High Volume Production Department.

  Type: Blog

• A Passion for Electronics Manufacturing

  Our Engineering Tech, Ramon Torres shares his story about how he got into electronics and why he loves working at MacroFab.

  Type: Blog

• Top 6 Mistakes to Avoid in High Volume Electronics Manufacturing

  High volume electronics manufacturing requires careful planning and organization. Here are the top six stumbling blocks to timely production.

  Type: Blog

• Step by Step Guide to go from Prototype to Production with MacroFab

  Go from finalizing your PCB prototype to design validation testing all the way to mass production. Read our guide to know expectations at each stage.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Blink an LED Design Contest - Sponsored by Mouser

  Welcome to the MacroFab 'Blink an LED' Challenge, sponsored Mouser Electronics. This design contest is all about blinking an LED or LEDs.

  Type: Blog

• Expanded PCB Layer Options. Introducing 10, 12, 14, & 16 Layer

  Support for 10 to 16 layer PCBs have landed at MacroFab! Learn more about options for different PCB layers and try out the service today.

  Type: Blog

• Letting The Loaf Out

  Parker breaks down a Ford Climate Controlled Seat Module and Stephen has scope creep in his uTracer project.

  Type: Podcasts

• Platform Updates: XLSX BoM and Dashboard Updates

  Our team continuously collaborates to roll out improvements that will give you the best manufacturing experience possible.

  Type: Blog

• The Open Source Episode with Robert Keim

  Robert Keim joins Parker and Stephen to talk about Open Source Information and its impact on the EE community.

  Type: Podcasts

• PCB Options: Custom PCB Board Thickness

  MacroFab's Manufacturing Platform Enables Custom PCB Board Thickness. Read our short blog on how to create custom board thicknesses.

  Type: Blog

• Space Engineering

  Stephen picks an enclosure for the uTracer project and Parker gets a new Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

  Type: Podcasts

• Eliminating Fear of a Bad Prototype with Pre-Order Checklists

  Here is a pre-order checklist for prototytypes to go through while preparing for manufacturing. Order with confidence with these tips!

  Type: Blog

• Tariff Impacts with Chris Church

  Chris Church talks about the potential impact on the Electronic Manufacturing industry by the latest Tariffs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Git on the Darwin Wagon

  Parker discusses his MEP SAO and finding unobtainium connectors for the Jeep while Stephen looks for version control.

  Type: Podcasts

• Trebuchet VS Opamps

  Stephen and Parker reminisce about building trebuchets and break down the A/C control module electrical schematic.

  Type: Podcasts

• Particle Spectra: Parker’s recap of the conference

  Parker attended Particle's first ever Spectra Conference. Here's a recap of what he learned at the 2018 IoT event.

  Type: Blog

• Free Form Jazz Welding

  Parker talks LED patterns on the MEP SAO, Stephen uses a CNC machine, and RadioShack returns?

  Type: Podcasts

• Best of 2018: MacroFab Edition

  With 2018 coming to a close, lets take a look back and pull some highlights what MacroFab has done this year.

  Type: Blog

• Scott Swaaley and MAKESafe Tools

  Scott Swaaley joins Parker and Stephen to talk about power electronics, induction motors, and rewiring tall ships.

  Type: Podcasts

• Does not respond after opening LOUD?

  Stephen and Parker announce the MacroFab Design Contest and discuss learning about FPGAs and the uTracer.

  Type: Podcasts

• Smaller Prototypes Possible with New Standard DRC Specs

  Here at MacroFab, we are always striving to improve our service and capabilities we offer. Today we announce smaller Standard DRC Specifications!

  Type: Blog

• Tales From an Electrical Engineer - Ideas on Mechanical Design

  Parker modifies car parts and assembles the Thermal Detonator and Stephen starts working with STM32 microcontrollers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Pre-FAB Checklist: Considerations for PCBA Mass Production

  Scaling you PCBA into mass production can be challenging. We have tips and tricks to ease the transition from prototype forward.

  Type: Blog

• Injection Molded Enclosure Design with John Teel

  John Teel of Predictable Designs returns to the podcast to discuss designing for Injection Molded Enclosures for MFG.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Hamster That Chirps

  Parker opens the Wagon's chime module and Stephen finishes his uTracer project!

  Type: Podcasts

• Classy NASCAR Badgelife

  Stephen creates a new blog and starts documenting his projects and Parker pitches a SDR based car radio.

  Type: Podcasts

• Age-Old Rivals: Engineering and Purchasing

  Traditional manufacturing methods can put engineering and purchasing on separate battling sides.

  Type: Blog

• Platform Update: New Order Experience

  Experience a new checkout process that gives you fewer steps to purchase; an updated address book and even greater transparency.

  Type: Blog

• Proper Prototyping Practices for Product Development

  Proper prototyping for product development can help your NPI get to market faster. Here are some guidelines to help ease this process.

  Type: Blog

• Vector Simulations for Samsung Capacitors

  Parker makes small progress on the SDR Wagon Project and Stephen officially launches his new blog Analogeng.com.

  Type: Podcasts

• MacroFab Design Contest: Blink an LED – MEP Favorite

  Parker and Stephen discuss and choose the winner of the contest for the MEP Favorite Category!

  Type: Podcasts

• Breaking Bad Taps

  Stephen and Parker discuss removing broken taps and what to do about old forgotten projects.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Genesis of My Bill Of Materials

  Parker gets strangled by Raspberry Pi and SDR cables and Stephen gets his Vox in a Box power supply ordered.

  Type: Podcasts

• It Depends – An In Depth Look at MLCCs with James Lewis

  James Lewis aka the Bald Engineer joins Parker and Stephen on a leap into the deep end on Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs)

  Type: Podcasts

• Supply Chain Conspiracy Securities

  Misha Govshteyn and Chris Church join Parker and Stephen to discuss supply chain hardware and software security.

  Type: Podcasts

• System-In-Package Platforms

  Gene Frantz and Erik Welsh of Octavo Systems join the MEP to discuss how SiP components can benefit hardware designers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Espress-ify? Designing Products Around the ESP-32 Platform.

  Zapp and Hyr0n of AND!XOR join Cr4bf04m and Bl1tz to talk about Badge Engineering and the Espressif ESP-32.

  Type: Podcasts

• Third Anniversary of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast!

  We're celebrating three years of the MacroFab Electronics Podcasting. Over 300,000 downloads and 158 episodes.

  Type: Blog

• The Vox in a Box Roxs

  Stephen gives an in depth update to his Vox in a Box project! 100 Watts of Class D amplification!

  Type: Podcasts

• The TechHOUNDS

  Derek Fronek and John Waidner discuss the FIRST FRC group the TechHOUNDS.

  Type: Podcasts

• 2018 Review: MacroFab Platform Sees Record Growth

  MacroFab experienced a record-breaking year in 2018, marked by aggressive growth in bookings and revenue.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Names Misha Govshteyn as CEO

  MacroFab, a Houston-based electronics manufacturer is excited to announce that board member, Misha Govshteyn has moved into a new role as Chief Executive O

  Type: Blog

• Chinese Tariffs Impact Update: May 13th, 2019

  Today, May 10th, 2019, the United States Trade Representative has increased the import duties on Section 301 Tariff: List 3, covering Chinese Tariffs.

  Type: Blog

• Charlyn Gonda on the Lowering of the Hardware-Software Fence

  Charlyn Gonda joins the MEP to discuss the shrinking divide between the software and hardware worlds.

  Type: Podcasts

• Quarterly Supply Chain Update: Q2 2019

  MacroFab's update on the electronic component industry's manufacturing production capacity in regards to passive components and MOSFETS for Q2 19

  Type: Blog

• Myth vs. Fact about PCB Assembly

  Let’s examine the myths and facts about PCB Assembly and what to consider when switching your electronics contract manufacturer to MacroFab.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Announcement – 44% Price Reduction On Production PCBs

  Great news - we are reducing prices on PCBs for production orders by an average of 44%!

  Type: Blog

• Solving Procurement Challenges for Your PCB Assembly

  Curious how to resolve issues you may be having with your PCB assembly process? Read our guide to see how MacroFab can help!

  Type: Blog

• A Unique Perspective on Feature Creeping

  Parker talks about his Embedded System Design process and Stephen explains his 20 band EQ design!

  Type: Podcasts

• Via in Pad PCB Design

  We will discuss the differences between via in pad and traditional vias, when should you use via in pad, and how to design for it.

  Type: Blog

• PEE-can Verse puh-KAHN – Scaling up Electronics with KINETIC

  Matt and Jeff of KINETIC join the podcast to discuss scaling up manufacturing of their IoT wearable.

  Type: Podcasts

• Connector Confusion

  Stephen continues his march into madness with his 20 band EQ amplifier design.

  Type: Podcasts

• Design PCBAs For Power Safety: Dealing with High Voltages

  Do you have to deal with budget constraints or an aggressive timeline for you product? Read this guide to ensure you can still design for power safety!

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Useless Design Contest - Sponsored by Mouser

  Welcome to the MacroFab 'Useless Machine' Challenge, sponsored Mouser Electronics.

  Type: Blog

• Why Did You Get Fired By Your Electronics CM?

  It may be hard to get the full attention of your CM thus it is important to recognize if your CM wants your business or might they ‘fire you’.

  Type: Blog

• How to Choose a Contract Manufacturer

  How to Choose Your Contract Manufacturer: Innovative Tools Allow Engineers to Improve Delivery, Quality and Time. Read now!

  Type: Blog

• Faster Lead Times, More Elastic Factory Capacity Announced

  We have big news at MacroFab including Faster Lead Times and Elastic Factory Capacity. Read more.

  Type: Blog

• Platform Update: Improved KiCad Support

  Our latest update makes KiCad easier than ever before to use. Find out how to use MacroFab's Cloud Manufacturing Service with KiCad.

  Type: Blog

• MaaS is Changing the Face of Manufacturing

  Manufacturing as a Service (MaaS) is changing pcba manufacturing the same way SaaS companies changed their industry. But what is it exactly?

  Type: Blog

• Engineering Designs for Reduced Costs

  The competitive landscape for electronics systems dictates that new engineering designs must be differentiated in performance from other similar systems.

  Type: Blog

• An Improved Process for Electronic Supplier Selection

  Selecting a supplier that satisfies the objectives of both procurement and engineering dept is one of the most important decision of a products life.

  Type: Blog

• Introduction to EMC Compliance in PCB Design

  People new to the FCC and CE compliance process may find it daunting and cumbersome. This article is an excellent introduction to EMC compliance.

  Type: Blog

• House Part Change Notice: MF-LED-3228-RGB

  The original part we use for the MF-LED-3228-RGB has been marked obsolete by the manufacturer. We have a new part to replace it.

  Type: Blog

• Strategic Sourcing & Production Planning

  A dedicated strategy for strategic sourcing and planning will compound the efficiency for running your back-end operations starting with a common platform.

  Type: Blog

• Don’t Let AI Brew Your Beer

  Parker and Stephen discuss Chat GPT-3, a language processing AI system, and what it can mean for engineers and society.

  Type: Podcasts

• EMS 2.0 Digital Electronics Manufacturing Transformation

  If you’re a supply chain professional, engineer or business owner this webinar will show you how you can access an agile digital platform that brings the

  Type: Blog

• Why Mesh Networking Matters – Brandon Satrom

  Brandon Satrom is back to discuss the future of connected devices with Particle Mesh Networking.

  Type: Podcasts

• Top 10 Causes of Magic Smoke

  Magic smoke is produced by severe electrical over-stress of your circuits and components. Here are the main causes, and how to avoid them.

  Type: Blog

• Third Annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special

  On this episode, Josh Rozier joins Parker and Stephen to discuss if the "Force" is a force and Parsecs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Why You Need Elastic Manufacturing Capacity for PCBA Mfg

  Joanne Moretti and Philip Stoten explore elastic capacity in manufacturing and how AI-driven smart software can further enhance this elasticity.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Useless Design Contest Results - Sponsored by Mouser

  Today we have the contest results for the MacroFab Design Contest: Useless Machine Sponsored by Mouser Electronics! Thank you to our judges for there time!

  Type: Blog

• Manufacturing-as-a-Service is Good for US Factories

  Manufacturing as a Service promises buyers faster quoting, frictionless purchasing and competitive pricing, but what’s in it for the manufacturers?

  Type: Blog

• Coronavirus Manufacturing Update

  Long term impact of the coronavirus is a moving target. Please continue to visit this page to get the latest updates as we learn more.

  Type: Blog

• Is China Still the Best Answer for Electronics Manufacturing?

  New N. American manufacturing solutions are helping resolve issues and mitigate supply chain risks. Do you still need Chinese electronics manufacturing?

  Type: Blog

• Recap of Hardware Startups Survey

  A recent hardware startup survey from Hardware Club produced some interesting insights from entrepreneurial founders across the globe.

  Type: Blog

• Is Chinese Manufacturing Still the Most Affordable Option?

  The assumption Chinese manufacturing is the most cost-effective choice for labor is dated. The new choice is actually right next door.

  Type: Blog

• Reasons Why Electronics Manufacturing in North America is Growing

  Electronics manufacturing has been relegated overseas due to old-school business practices. But economic realities are moving it back to North America.

  Type: Blog

• Top 10 Reasons Your Production Build Could Fail

  After designing and prototyping a system for proof of operation across all variances, the last milestone is to execute a successful production build.

  Type: Blog

• Webinar Recap: Building Supply Chain Resiliency

  On May 12, we talked with Fictiv CEO, Dave Evans during a webinar hosted by industry journalist Philip Stoten about building supply chain resilience.

  Type: Blog

• Digital Manufacturing Fosters Creative Solutions

  We highlight two cases where companies used our factory network distribution to manage the challenges surrounding manufacturing in a global pandemic.

  Type: Blog

• Recover From Supply Chain Disruptions By Planning Ahead

  Learn how to diversify your electronics supply chain through advanced planning. This short blog post will help you plan out a long-term strategy.

  Type: Blog

• Supply Chain Management for Electronics Manufacturing

  Choreograph with your team and CM to achieve smooth electronics logistics planning. Our short blog will provide you tips and tricks.

  Type: Blog

• Procurement Strategies for Reduced Costs

  There are several procurement strategies that exist to reduce the recurring full factory costs (FFC) associated with manufacturing technical systems.

  Type: Blog

• Supply Chain Security in 2021

  The SuperMicro story--whether you believe it or not--is a warning that supply chain security is imperative. Are you prepared for a security attack?

  Type: Blog

• Webinar Recap: DFM Beyond the Digital Domain

  We co-hosted a webinar with Autodesk to discuss design for manufacturing practices that can eliminate multiple board re-spins and reduce design revisions.

  Type: Blog

• Discrete Atomic Luffa Control

  Ben and Chris come on the podcast to talk about the latest in 3D printing and humble luffas.

  Type: Podcasts

• Supply Chain Critical Components

  A single key supply chain component shortage puts manufacturing in a line-down situation.

  Type: Blog

• Reclaiming Audio Equipment with Cliff Schecht

  Cliff Schecht of Reclaimed Audio discusses what it takes to repair and restore vintage audio gear.

  Type: Podcasts

• Void Copper Donuts

  Parker wraps up his Wagon Chime Module and looks at USB Power Switches and Stephen covers his EQ build.

  Type: Podcasts

• Avoiding Electronics Supply Chain Delays in Q1

  We may be heading back to the future: Supply chain delays in 2021 are starting to look a lot like 2018. Find out how to minimize the impact now.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab in 2020 and Beyond

  We hold a strong belief that manufacturing should work as a cloud resource.

  Type: Blog

• Impact of Lunar New Year and COVID Vaccines on PCBA Lead Times

  As the holiday season quickly approaches, we wanted to provide an update on what you can expect through the end of 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021.

  Type: Blog

• Are you ready to Tango?

  Stephen looks to resurrect the ribbon microphone project and of course Parker scope creeps it.

  Type: Podcasts

• Power Hungry Venti-Q

  The Venti-Q gets nears completion, USB Type-C example circuit completed, and EE interview topics.

  Type: Podcasts

• Jason Cerundolo of Reclaimer Labs

  Jason Cerundolo joins Parker and Stephen to discuss testing and evaluation of the USB Type-C PD spec.

  Type: Podcasts

• Big Mattress is Coming For You

  Come celebrate the third anniversary of the MEP as Parker and Stephen discuss a potential video game.

  Type: Podcasts

• Al Williams and the One Instruction Wonder

  Al Williams returns to the podcast to discuss FPGA documentation and meat balloons.

  Type: Podcasts

• Kalashinikaze: The Right to Fly Arms

  Parker gives an update on his Prop Dev Stick Type-C and Stephen designs a tonestack based on the LND150.

  Type: Podcasts

• Electric Vehicle Charging and Cat Safety

  Christopher Howell of OpenEVSE discusses open source electric vehicle charging stations and J1772.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Golden Integrated Circuit

  Parker finds his lithium charger IC and Stephen works on the 2nd longest running project on the MEP!

  Type: Podcasts

• PCBA Signal Integrity Problems: Ten Factors to Consider

  It is difficult to protect each key signal from all noise intrusions, but this must be done to design an effective PCB assembly.

  Type: Blog

• Can Your Business Afford a Delayed PCBA Product Launch?

  Don't let poor collaboration cost you market share and revenue.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Surfing for Science: Phil Bresnahan of Smartfin

  Phil Bresnahan of Smartfin joins the podcast to discuss the research of ocean data collection sensors.

  Type: Podcasts

• Dillon Nichols – Simplified Home Automation

  Dillon Nichols comes on the podcast to discuss his home automation techniques and projects.

  Type: Podcasts

• Ken and Chip Gracey of Parallax Inc

  Ken and Chip Gracey of Parallax Inc discuss the journey of Integrated Circuit Development.

  Type: Podcasts

• Ben Heck and the PinoTaur

  Benjamin Heckendorn rejoins the podcast to discuss Pinball Hardware and Text Adventure Games.

  Type: Podcasts

• Kevin Beller of Seymour Duncan

  Kevin Beller discusses his history with Seymour Duncan and how an engineer sells a creative idea.

  Type: Podcasts

• Is “I’m an Engineer” a Valid Defense?

  Parker takes a look at some potential high temperature smart LEDs and Stephen rebuilds an amplifier.

  Type: Podcasts

• Start Getting Crusty

  I/O expanders verse cheap shift registers, leaking electronics, and better datasheets.

  Type: Podcasts

• Mayonnaise Drone (And Other War Crimes)

  Danny Rankin of University of Colorado Boulder joins the podcast to discuss the Atlas Institute.

  Type: Podcasts

• Triode Mode Tariffs

  Parker and Stephen talk about the Chinese Tariff increase and 3D printing out of phase music recording.

  Type: Podcasts

• Sidecreeping Gyrations

  Parker explains the DOOM SAO and Stephen implements a Gyrator for the MacroAmp!

  Type: Podcasts

• Apply Inspiration Here

  Josh Rozier returns to talk about designing and building custom audio transformers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Are Projects Really Useless?

  Parker and Stephen discuss the new MacroFab Engineering Podcast Design Contest: Useless Machines. Thanks Mouser!

  Type: Podcasts

• Some Impedance or Whatever – Nick Chelyapov with Bitty

  Nick Chelyapov joins Parker and Stephen to get nitty gritty with the Bitty, the pocket drum machine.

  Type: Podcasts

• Seventh Annual Star Wars Christmas Special

  Will the Rebel Codebreakers be able to emerge victorious against the Empire, or will they succumb to the overwhelming power of the Empire? Tune in!

  Type: Podcasts

• Leeroy Jenkins Transistor

  Parker gets test results from his APA-102C experiments and Stephen wraps up REV2 of the MacroAmp!

  Type: Podcasts

• Little Shop of Transformer Horror

  Josh Rozier starts his design of a power transformer, the DOOM SAO gets more code, and the MacroAmp is 90% done!

  Type: Podcasts

• Mach 3 Cheeseburgers

  Mach 3 Cheeseburgers, Simulations for the PinoTaur mosfet drivers, and more on this episode of the MacroFab Podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• Chrissy Meyer and Personal Errata Datasheets

  Chrissy Meyer’s invests in deeply technical teams that are solving problems in robotics, hardware, industrial automation, AI, and machine learning.

  Type: Podcasts

• Greg Paulsen: Pizza is the Way to an Engineer’s Heart

  Greg Paulsen is the leader of the Application Engineering team at Xometry and plays a vital role in vetting new technologies and materials.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Wireless Research Center

  Gerard Hayes and Shruthi Soora discuss the mission of The Wireless Research Center and FCC Pre-Cert Testing.

  Type: Podcasts

• Feel the Hum

  Zapp Brannigan returns on the podcast to discuss the latest in AND!XOR #Badgelife Design Elements!

  Type: Podcasts

• Like a Satellite Out of Hell

  Parker and Stephen gear up for DefCon 27 and discuss how custom transformers can change design philosophy.

  Type: Podcasts

• A Joe Grand MFG Adventure: What You are Designed to Do

  The KINGPIN returns after two years to discuss off-shore versus on-shore manufacturing, Tariffs and Chinese Customs, and Defcon Badge designs.

  Type: Podcasts

• So You Want To Eat Electrons?

  Stephen's non analog projects starts! He is designing a Fermentation Controller for brewing. There is also a proposed Community project!

  Type: Podcasts

• Removing the Waterworld from Product Development

  Mike Geyer of Fictiv joins Parker and Stephen to discuss the State of Hardware Report, Tariff Engineering, the Production Gap, and Lean Manufacturing.

  Type: Podcasts

• Design Contest – Useless Machines Wrap Up

  The Useless Machine contest has just closed. Thank you Mouser for sponsoring our contest and our judges! The Podcast Favorite gets chosen!

  Type: Podcasts

• Not Even My Final Form: Jeff Garoon on Industrial Design

  Jeff Garoon joins Parker and Stephen to discuss the design, testing, and regulations of creating low volume Industrial IoT devices.

  Type: Podcasts

• Sealed Tigersharks

  Stephen's finally upgrades his toolkit to include a Digital Logic Analyzer and Parker repairs a Tigershark. Don't worry it's not a real shark.

  Type: Podcasts

• Fork Lift Adventures Narrated by Daniel Hienzsch

  Daniel Hienzsch of Rheingold Heavy and Manufacturing Reports joins Parker and Stephen to discuss PCB manufacturing and low cost vendor choices.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Fourth Rule of Robotics

  Parker's repair of the Tigershark seems to be working fine and Stephen learns how to read a Digital Datasheet. Also, only 8 more episodes before 200!

  Type: Podcasts

• Robots Have Fall Damage

  Matthew Prater joins Parker and Stephen to discuss his student's innovation projects and antimatter positrons.

  Type: Podcasts

• Adult Supervision Not Required – Tilt 5 With Jeri

  Jeri Ellsworth joins the podcast to discuss the development of Augmented Reality technology and the process of bringing consumer devices to market.

  Type: Podcasts

• Mach 5 Sandpaper – MIT Rocket Team

  Charlie Garcia and Luka Govedič come onto the podcast to discuss being rocket scientists and the MIT Rocket Team's History, Goals, and Future.

  Type: Podcasts

• Foamy Power Factors – Electrolytic Capacitors with KEMET

  Ivan Quiroz and Suzana Jankuloska of KEMET join the podcast to discuss the inner workings of Electrolytic Capacitors and reading Datasheets.

  Type: Podcasts

• Designing in Color – Greg Paulsen on 3D Printing

  Greg Paulsen of Xometry rejoins the podcast to discuss the specifications, designing for scale, and design considerations for 3D Printing technologies.

  Type: Podcasts

• Digital Razorblades

  It has been a couple weeks since a Parker and Stephen episode but they didn't get any electronic projects done! Somehow 1 hour of audio still exists.

  Type: Podcasts

• High Voltage Gyrators and KiCad Plugins

  Stephen and Parker discuss Equalizers for High Voltage signal paths and ultra rare Atari 2600 Hardware. Also, what is the Apple H1 Chip?

  Type: Podcasts

• Rotary Alarm System

  Do not adjust your podcast broadcast device. What you are hearing is a rotary alarm system. This siren denotes the beginning of episode 200!

  Type: Podcasts

• The Wheels Are Finally Off

  How easy is it to make a retro gaming console? Stephen breaks down his design and build criteria that involves no custom PCBs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Not Into The Meat Loaf

  Where do your electrical components manufactured? Parker explores the mysteries of Country Of Origins for components and Stephen Ti Webenches a SMPS.

  Type: Podcasts

• Lizard Brain Information – David Gunness of Fulcrum Acoustic

  David Gunness of Fulcrum Acoustic joins the podcast to discuss Passive Cardioid Technology, Coaxial Speakers, and manufacturing with wood.

  Type: Podcasts

• Fourth Annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special

  Josh Rozier and Hyr0n join Parker and Stephen to talk about the latest Star Wars lore, technology, and media! Star Wars HeathKits and The Mandalorian.

  Type: Podcasts

• Disgusting Surge

  Lets bring in the new 2020 year with a MacroFab platform update for PCB Specifications and Hellhound preamps! Thanks to all our listeners and guests!

  Type: Podcasts

• The Analog State of Amazon Brand Names

  Stephen learns to read erased IC part numbers, buys an Amazon Resistor Kits, and discusses Analog Comparators while Parker unbends tubing to bend it.

  Type: Podcasts

• Beating Dragons with Quarters

  Parker's pinball platform, PinoTaur Revision 2, goes into testing and Stephen continues his journey to simulate the known analog universe.

  Type: Podcasts

• Brian Kaczynski with Second Sound

  Brian Kaczynski of Second Sound joins the podcast to discuss Frequency Detection, Integrated Circuit layout, and buying yourself more bits with code.

  Type: Podcasts

• A Bad User Experience

  How do you remove flux and what to watch out for when you are cleaning your PCB assemblies? Parker and Stephen go in depth on this episode of the MEP.

  Type: Podcasts

• Valentina Toll Villagra and Kyle Dumont with Allspice.io

  Kyle Dumont and Valentina Toll Villagra join the podcast to discuss Allspice.io and the future of git design workflow for hardware engineers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Credit Card Vigilantes – Skim Reaper

  Patrick Traynor and Christian Peeters join Parker and Stephen to discuss detecting Credit Card Skimming devices and the Skim Reaper device.

  Type: Podcasts

• The End of Electronics Manufacturing?!

  Chris Church returns to the podcast to discuss the recent outbreak of COVID-19 or Coronavirus in China and how it is impacting Electronics MFGing.

  Type: Podcasts

• My CNC Will Melt In Your Mouth

  Learning Autodesk Fusion, Braze it 420, and Stephen's CNC machine rise from its disassembled grave on this weeks episode of the podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• It is Probably Safe

  Stephen's rebuild of the CNC is getting close to being completed but first he needs to modify his gantry carriage for the new water cooled spindle!

  Type: Podcasts

• Just Another Meatloaf Title

  Why are all Python PDF creator modules just terrible to work with? Does anyone have one they like? Help me. Oh and Stephen's CNC machine is moving!

  Type: Podcasts

• I’d Buy That For Five Dollars

  Stephen solves his VFD EMC problem and surfaces the spill board on the CNC machine. Parker starts working on Zebra Printers and learning ZPL and JS.

  Type: Podcasts

• Like Old Cheese

  What separates good documentation from bad and which kind of application notes do you like? Also, Ancient Chinese Semiconductor 7-segment drivers!

  Type: Podcasts

• Virtual Earth Mixers

  Datasheets are usually an engineer's friend. However, Stephen finds that his rotary switch's datasheets do not match the physical device.

  Type: Podcasts

• Blinky is 90% of Your Project

  Is Molex or JST the new Xerox for Electrical Engineers? Stephen explores this while trying to find that elusive JST style battery connector.

  Type: Podcasts

• ThunderOhm Style

  Josh Rozier returns for the 5th time on the podcast which might be some kind of record. This time Josh talks about his beginnings in laying out PCBs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Turning It On – New Design Checklists with James Lewis

  James Lewis is back to discuss testing and validating your new PCB Assembly design and what to look for in electronic lab equipment.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Inverted Success Funnel – IdeaFab

  The IdeaTank hosts, Scott Hansen and Eric Benzenhoefer, are back to share their million dollar ideas for free! Totally free. No strings attached.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Normal Chaos

  Stephen adventures into thermal testing of oscillators and analog circuits while Parker gets greasy with timing chains on the Wagon.

  Type: Podcasts

• Clipping and Clamping OpAmps

  Are rules of thumb obsolete? Validate your thumbs on this episode of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast while Parker discusses progress on the brewery!

  Type: Podcasts

• Chickens and Tea leaves, Al’s Simulation Recipe

  Al Williams returns to the podcast for the fourth time! This time to discuss the importance of circuit simulation and what it can teach engineers.

  Type: Podcasts

• Ultrasonic Beer Science – Eli Hughes of Tzero

  Eli Hughes of Tzero Brew joins the podcast to discuss the research and development of the Ultrasonic Tzero Fermentation Sensor.

  Type: Podcasts

• Weapons of Mathewson Destruction

  William Mathewson of WMD joins Parker and Stephen to discuss what is was like starting a hardware manufacturing business and is hardware hard?

  Type: Podcasts

• Get Cute This Weekend

  The Brewery LIVES! Parker turns on his electric brewery for the first time! Tips and tricks about homebrewing on this episode of the MacroFab Podcast!

  Type: Podcasts

• We Are All Idiots Together On This Planet

  What is your EDA Tool workflow? Where do you start with a new design? When is it O.K. to rely on another part footprint? Are JEDEC standards fine?

  Type: Podcasts

• Throw The Bacon Across The Stage

  Danny Rankin, an instructor at the University of Colorado Boulder, returns to the podcast to discuss education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Type: Podcasts

• Chonky Motherboards

  Parker discusses his latest project. An electronic device to ensure his pet cat does not become a chonker. A lawd its processing!

  Type: Podcasts

• Good Enough for a Bagel

  The bagel pin is back! Parker and Stephen discuss if it is possible to make the Cat Feeder Unreminder with the famous bagel pin IC, the PT8A2514APE.

  Type: Podcasts

• Bashing LEDs

  One week from start to finish on a product? Stephen explains his latest project at WMD for improving testing and calibration routines, the Sub Volt!

  Type: Podcasts

• Solar Freaking Cat Feeders

  Parker's Cat Feeder Unreminder now has a parts list! Listen as Parker explains his electrical component choices and Stephen discusses CNC upgrades.

  Type: Podcasts

• Excited Electrons

  Is lead forming components a lost art? What specifications of a solar panel is important for an embedded system? Find out more on this weeks episode!

  Type: Podcasts

• Ice Cream Solder Paste Equipotential

  High voltage and low current measuring got you down? Stephen looks into how he is going to measure the specifications for his tubes.

  Type: Podcasts

• Better Encryption than Zoom, Firmware Stacks with AND!XOR

  Hyr0n and Zapp are back! This time to discuss Firmware Stacks, Real Time Operating Systems, and more #Badgelife shenanigans.

  Type: Podcasts

• Frictionless Spherical Cow Transformers

  Need to find a transformer for your product design? Stephen goes through the process of getting a custom transformer manufactured for a new product!

  Type: Podcasts

• Disturbed Solder Accuracy

  Do you get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside you when you find that exact electrical part you are looking for? If so, come listen to this podcast!

  Type: Podcasts

• Failing to Electrocute the Chicken

  The history banana connectors with Stephen! Then Parker brings up Elon Musk's Neuralink Implant for happy pigs and why projects take forever.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Heartbeat of Cats and LEDs

  How do you know if an electrical component is inexpensive? When it says "Cost Effective" as a main bullet point on the datasheet!

  Type: Podcasts

• Schematics and Connectors, Name a More Iconic Duo…

  Stephen deeps dives into schematics and connectors this week by asking what is the best way to draw symbols for connectors on schematics? Net Names!

  Type: Podcasts

• Comic-Con for Engineers – Chris Carter

  Chris Carter joins Parker and Stephen to discuss Design for Manufacturing for PCB Assemblies. Part one of a series of podcasts!

  Type: Podcasts

• K-Factoring a Gumbo

  Stephen finally gets a license for the Eagle EDA Tool but not for the reasons you would expect! Also, sheet metal design and IoT device security!

  Type: Podcasts

• Doing Something Magical

  Will graphene allow us to transcend to the next level of existence with free energy? Parker and Stephen discuss limitless power and the iPhone 12.

  Type: Podcasts

• To Bake an Apple Pie

  There is a new regulatory stamp in town now. Brexit has spurred the formation of the UKCA mark to replace the CE mark in the Queen's land.

  Type: Podcasts

• Keeping The Spirit Costs Extra

  Revitalizing older products for next gen manufacturing can be tough. Does updating the design alter the spirit of the original? Oh and Tariffs.

  Type: Podcasts

• How Soft Are Your Diodes?

  Parker's pinball controller has gone gold! Revision 3 is being fabricated! Stephen then explores the softness factor of diodes and the SSPS returns?

  Type: Podcasts

• Artisan Sudo Toasters

  Stephen debarks into the cold void that is linux. Will he survive the frozen sudo tundra? Adventures in Rapsberry Pis and Wiring Hardness designs!

  Type: Podcasts

• Loopholes or Equivalent

  Is this the coolest* electrical engineering podcast ever? Parker and Stephen think so. Synth Repair, floating IC pins, and wiring harness drawings.

  Type: Podcasts

• Kicking Troglodytes Off The Stage

  PCB serial numbering? Parker and Stephen cover their thoughts on applying a unique identifier to PCBs in production for inventory and testing control.

  Type: Podcasts

• Benjamin Jordan of Autodesk

  Senior Product Manager for ECAD in Autodesk Fusion 360, Ben Jordan, joins Stephen and Parker to discus the future of ECAD, Eagle, Autodesk, and PCBs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Ridiculous Relay Ratings

  On this episode, Parker sifts through marketing gimmicks for component ratings and Stephen discusses dual rail power supply designs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Fifth Annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special – Neo Jedi

  On this episode, Josh Rozier joins to discuss Star Wars. Is the force a glitch in the Matrix? How much energy does it take to vaporize a Jawa?

  Type: Podcasts

• Color Clashing Chip Consolidation

  What is the worst thing about the Analog Devices and Linear Technologies merger? The incompatible color schemes of course.

  Type: Podcasts

• Viciously Different Creams

  Does anyone actually use the metric sizing for chip components? The ole' 0603 metric and 0201 imperial chip component switcheroo on this episode.

  Type: Podcasts

• Chainsaws, Wasps, Doom, and Gloom

  COVID-19 Conspiracies! How will the governments liquid electronic vaccine protect you from the virus. Also, LNY supply chain disruptions and tariffs.

  Type: Podcasts

• Troncrete

  Are engineers the non-believers of the world? Can Solar Freaking Roadways convert Stephen and Parker to be believers in a Tron like future?

  Type: Podcasts

• A Couple Months Ago…

  Meta data for electronic components? Stephen talks about categorizing components to make it easier to get to that part that you really need.

  Type: Podcasts

• Critical Path Components

  Designing a new product but worried about all these component shortages and increasing lead times? This week, Parker discusses designing around this.

  Type: Podcasts

• Flex PCB Primers

  Stephen gives the MEP an introduction on Flex and Rigid-Flex PCB assemblies while Parker looks at an automotive Analog Devices application note.

  Type: Podcasts

• Hoarders Edition

  This week on the MacroFab Hoarders Podcast, Chris Carter returns to discuss Supply Chain Safety for different levels of project scopes.

  Type: Podcasts

• Electronic Wear Items

  Chip and component shortages continue! This week's episode covers Ford and GM automotive supply chain problems and EMMC wear chips for Tesla cars.

  Type: Podcasts

• NuFuel and Gas Classic

  Parker and Stephen discover new EDA tool features in both Eagle and Diptrace! The Auto industry is now waking up to a new tech order of the world.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Expert

  Design for Testing means enabling your product to be tested easier or quicker. But what about the documentation and implementation of the testing?

  Type: Podcasts

• Honey, I Shrunk The Parts

  Components for PCB Assembly are getting unimaginably smaller. What PCB design specifications do you consider when using the smallest of components.

  Type: Podcasts

• Avoid The Extremes

  Controlling PCB costs of your next product is all about avoiding the extremes of the manufacturing specifications. Don't let your EDA tool fool you!

  Type: Podcasts

• Illuminati Moment

  Is there a statue of limitations on open source hardware projects? This week, Stephen and Parker dive into what open source means for both of them.

  Type: Podcasts

• Radio Frequency Eyeballs

  A light at the end of the Supply Chain tunnel? IC manufacturers are spinning up new fabs in the United States but are they going to solve the crisis?

  Type: Podcasts

• The Right to Repair

  What is the Right to Repair and what could be the impacts for electrical engineers, designers, contract manufactures and component suppliers.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Digital Mattress

  Hyron and Zapp from the AND!XOR group joins the podcast this week to continue the discussion on the Right to Repair and Non Fungible Tokens.

  Type: Podcasts

• Beating the Heat

  The PinoTaur has reached production status but not without supply chain issues..OF COURSE! Bonus discussion about thermal management for PCBA.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Pinch Load

  What are the common Design Rule Check errors that Parker and Stephen see as Contract Manufacturers? Are these DRC errors the ones that you run into?

  Type: Podcasts

• Log Stepping Revision Control

  How do you record and implement bodges and changes to your PCB layout? All at once or as you find them in your design? Parker and Stephen discuss.

  Type: Podcasts

• Skippy Documentation

  Are Stephen's LM338 regulators fake? Parker uses X-Ray vision to find out the answer! This and an Adventure in Plastic Injection Molding this week.

  Type: Podcasts

• Bunch of Nibbles

  Measuring clock drift. What is a good way to automate measuring this? This and more in this project update heavy podcast episode!

  Type: Podcasts

• Design With Manufacturing – Altium and MacroFab

  Ted Pawela, Altium's Chief Ecosystem Officer, joins the podcast with Chris Church to discuss Altium's participation in MacroFab's recent fundraising.

  Type: Podcasts

• Resume and Interview Tricks for Engineers

  Need to brush up that resume or are you a fresh engineer graduate looking for your first job? This podcast episode is full of stuff you wanna hear!

  Type: Podcasts

• Don’t Worry About It

  Right to Repair is going global and Stephen might have solved his injection molded component's void by tweaking the mold design.

  Type: Podcasts

• Through Hole Manufacturing

  Through hole assembly for PCBs might be great for low volume prototypes but how do you scale up that process? What design considerations are needed?

  Type: Podcasts

• When Print(); Just Works

  The print function of a programming language. Used by engineers everywhere as a universal debugging tool. Is there a better way maybe... but nah.

  Type: Podcasts

• You Adapt. You Overcome. You Put in a Pull Request.

  A custom, open source, DIY multimeter? Parker and Stephen go down the rabbit hole of putting down design requirements and what open source means.

  Type: Podcasts

• Real Engineering for a Real Engineer

  A decade after graduating college, Stephen finally did a differential equation for his job! That is some real engineering I tell you what.

  Type: Podcasts

• Let The Robots Do It

  Is grinding out math problems just busy work? Is the current state of Math class curriculum hampering the real life deployment of engineering skills?

  Type: Podcasts

• FTC “Nixing The Fix” Report

  Earlier this year the FTC released a report on the current status quo of repairing manufactured items. Stephen and Parker break down this report!

  Type: Podcasts

• Biased For Arduino

  On this episode, Stephen talks about his new bias test system hardware and software. The bias test system is a purpose built test hardware system!

  Type: Podcasts

• We Have Clearance, Clarence

  On this episode, there are some AND!XOR hints for DC29 and we discuss the difference between PCB DRC specifications for clearance and creepage.

  Type: Podcasts

• Snicker Bar Integrated Components

  Texas Instrument SOIC package oddities? Has Stephen unearthed some counterfeit components or is it just a new manufacturing process from TI?

  Type: Podcasts

• Avoiding Bean Counters

  Leaded verse non-leaded surface mount packages? What should engineers choose when designing a product? We go deep into a PCBA cost comparison!

  Type: Podcasts

• Vaporized Copper Stiction

  Stephen starts to finialize the hardware of his tube amp bias test system and Parker looks into Jiva Materials, a new type of PCB substrate.

  Type: Podcasts

• Scott Hinson of Pecan Street Inc.

  Scott Hinson of Pecan Street Inc. joins Parker and Stephen to discuss the most important of topics. Is its Pa-kawn or Pee-can?

  Type: Podcasts

• Tom Anderson, the Gold Ear Sympathetic

  Tom Anderson joins Parker and Stephen to discuss metrology and how taking measurements relate to electrical engineering and product design.

  Type: Podcasts

• Twisted Pairs

  Ethernet vs USB? Which is better for communicating and automating test equipment and devices? Is it easy to implement Ethernet on an embedded system?

  Type: Podcasts

• Design For Everything

  DFM, DFT, DFA? What does it all mean to product designers and engineers? Stephen and Parker cover what Designing For really means.

  Type: Podcasts

• IdeaFab – Does This Podcast Change The World?

  No, but come listen to Scott and Eric of the Ideatank Podcast and your hosts Parker and Stephen talk about ideas that can possibly do so!

  Type: Podcasts

• Modern College Education with Derek Fronek

  Derek Fronek is a current engineering student at Purdue University. We dive into how education has changed with COVID and a decade of automation.

  Type: Podcasts

• Has Open Source Hardware Run Its Course?

  Ben Heckendorn and Chris Kraft rejoin the podcast to discuss if Open Source Hardware has run its course or is the dream still alive in our souls.

  Type: Podcasts

• The Social Media Nightmare

  This week's topics are: Porsche's Synthetic Gasoline, Record Chip Manufacturing Sales for the year 2022, and the Raspberry_Pi Social Media Firestorm.

  Type: Podcasts

• SMD vs NSMD: Best Practices for BGA Pad Creation

  SMD vs NSMD: Should you use a solder mask-defined pad or a non-solder mask-defined pad?

  Type: Blog

• Our Factory Network

  Take advantage of faster lead times for PCB assembly and full system integration through our network of more than 70 factories ready to take your job

  Type: Page

• Supply Chain for PCB

  Keep your projects on track with MacroFab’s strategic sourcing options and scalable North American manufacturing network.

  Type: Page

• Bypass Caps: Decouple Your Way to Cleaner Power

  We discuss bypass capacitors and their role in preventing noise and voltage glitches on power supply rails.

  Type: Blog

• Getting started with Tag-Connect on an AVR MCU

  An AVR MCU example board using the Tag-Connect TC2030 cable for programming.

  Type: Blog

• Six PCBA Design Trends to Watch in 2023

  Engineers must continually seek out new options and keep up with market changes. Take note of these six trends within the electronics industry.

  Type: Blog

• Smashing Text in Eagle’s Symbol Editor

  By default Eagle does not allow you to change the font on symbols for parts. Here's a quick ULP script that copies the pin names on the symbol.

  Type: Blog

• Plated Slots: Stop Fitting Square Pegs in Round Holes

  Plated slots are non-circular in shape and can accept pins with less open space to solder. Find out when you should use them over plated through-holes.

  Type: Blog

• Datasheet Lore

  What lore have you discovered in component datasheets? On this episode, Parker talks about how he picks electrical components and risk management.

  Type: Podcasts

• Adding external Part Libraries, DRCs, and CAM files to Diptrace

  This article will discuss the process of adding part libraries and DRC rule files to Diptrace.

  Type: Blog

• Adding External Libraries, DRCs or CAM Files to Eagle

  This article will discuss the process of adding part libraries and DRC rule files to KiCad.

  Type: Blog

• Mounting holes and what to watch out for.

  Mounting holes are useful for attaching PCBs to enclosures and other flat surfaces. Here are some things to watch out for when using them.

  Type: Blog

• Cloud Manufacturing: The Future of the Electronics Industry?

  Cloud Manufacturing adds agility to the electronics industry, keeping production lean and costs low while increasing flexibility.

  Type: Blog

• PCB Cutouts, Slots, Routes, and Border Files: Revisited

  Did you know that MacroFab's PCB Assembly supports plated and non-plated PCB cut outs, slots, and routes? Our blog offers many visual examples.

  Type: Blog

• How to Design and Build a Programming Fixture

  Develop and build a programming fixture or jig. This is a great way to simplify testing. Our short blog offers up lots of examples.

  Type: Blog

• Designing for Pogo Pin Programming Cables

  An introduction into pogo pin programming cables and their usefulness in prototyping and low volume manufacturing using Tag-Connect cables.

  Type: Blog

• Escaping BGAs - Methods of Routing Traces from BGA Footprints

  In this post we will discuss methods of routing traces from BGA footprints and how to determine the necessary layer count of your board.

  Type: Blog

• Fixture Code and Final Testing: PCM5122 Audio DAC

  This is the completed fixture with the 3D printed standoff attached.

  Type: Blog

• Getting Blinky going for EFM8.

  The last article and this one should be able to get a EFM8 project up and running with the bare minimal hardware and code.

  Type: Blog

• Handling Silkscreen Over Component Pads

  Silkscreen over component pads can lead to solder flow issues and result in a bad joint. Find out how to avoid this issue

  Type: Blog

• High-Speed Routing Design: Tips for Engineers

  Minimize undesirable parasitic effects occurring with high-speed signals.

  Type: Blog

• Electronics Nearshoring: Beyond Overseas Manufacturing Vulnerabilities

  It’s taken more than two years for supply chains to go back to normal, and even now, some industries continue to struggle as zero-COVID policies continue.

  Type: Blog

• Picking the Right Trace Width

  When picking trace widths to route a PCB, there are rules and guidelines to inform the value of the trace width.

  Type: Blog

• Lowering Manufacturing Costs with Custom Enclosures

  Cutting costs on a final product with off-the-shelf custom enclosures and design considerations, including plastic vs. metal, customization, and more.

  Type: Blog

• Setting Up Production Testing for the PCM5122 Audio DAC

  Production testing set up for PCM5122 Audio DAC featuring pogo pins, I2C Audio, manufacturing jigs, surface mounted fixtures, and more.

  Type: Blog

• Via Tenting for PCB Design

  Lead EE Parker discusses part selection when it comes to via tenting and non tented via tenting, which is a type of solder mask on surface mounted PCBs.

  Type: Blog

• How to use the Part Attribute feature in Eagle

  How to use Part Attribute in Eagle. Take advantage of the Part Attribute system in Eagle for easier labeling.

  Type: Blog

• Impedance Control – What it means and how MacroFab helps you solve it

  Trace impedance is the sum of all the resistance and reactance components of an electrical signal path. Know when impedance control is vital for PCBAs.

  Type: Blog

• How to Integrate the Arduino Platform Into Your Product

  Prototyping with Arduino? Learn how to integrate the Arduino Platform into your next product directly with all the key parts explained.

  Type: Blog

• Different Programming Methods for PCBAs

  We cover the different ways of programming PCB assemblies during production. Learn the pros and cons of each method in this short blog.

  Type: Blog

• Power Control for Your Product: Starting and Stopping Electrons

  The advance of IoT devices & light weight embedded OS environments have created a need for more intricate ways to shutdown your devices.

  Type: Blog

• The Footprint Files – Diodes

  Designing footprint files for diodes requires clear orientation marks. Learn what to do and when you can break footprint rules in this blog post.

  Type: Blog

• The Footprint Files – Electrolytic Capacitors

  Marking electrolytic capacitors correctly & understanding capacitor symbols on your PCB to help avoid issues with manufacturing.

  Type: Blog

• Update to the USB Micro Connector for Eagle EDA Tool

  Today we have an update to our MicroUSB-RIGHT connector in the Eagle MF-Connectors Library. We changed the footprint to reduce DRC errors!

  Type: Blog

• Using a Silicon Labs EFM8 IC for your hardware project

  This article will cover the hardware aspect of using the EFM8 series of microcontrollers from Silicon Labs.

  Type: Blog

• Test results of the PCM5122 Audio DACs

  The PCM5122 Audio DAC that Parker designed gets tested to see which passive part load our will go to production!

  Type: Blog

• The Case for PCBAs Made in America

  Companies looking to increase the agility, productivity, and resilience of their electronics supply chains can do so with local and regional vendors.

  Type: Blog

• Current Conscience Comparator

  How low can the power consumption of the Cat Feeder Unreminder go? Parker and Stephen discuss leakage current on this episode of the podcast!

  Type: Podcasts

• Nearshoring Electronics Manufacturing: Shifting Global Value Chains

  In a world where disasters occur more frequently and cause more damage, businesses are rethinking how to make global value chains robust.

  Type: Blog

• Is it Time to Reshore Electronics Manufacturing to the USA?

  We’ll cover three ways organizations can obtain production capacity in the US and why working with CMs is the most cost- effective way to reshore.

  Type: Blog

• PCBA Design: Five Tips to Clean Up Your Layout

  Before sending your final design files to the CM for PCB manufacturing, check out these useful tips and final steps.

  Type: Blog

• MacroFab Secures $42M in Growth Financing from Foundry, Edison Partners and BMW i Ventures

  Funding increases total raised to $82M; accelerates transition to cloud manufacturing for supply chain nearshoring, resilience & agility.

  Type: News

• The Ultimate PCBA Development Guide: Part I

  Taking an idea from conception to production is easy with our step-by-step guide. This manual provides the most important information you should know.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Cold Welding This Podcast Together

  Will this podcast hold together? Or will the tig welder that Stephen is modifying tear the podcast apart at the seams? Only 555 timers can save us!

  Type: Podcasts

• It is 2023, Why Does Footprint Design Still Suck?

  Why is there such a disconnect between component datasheet drawings and EDA footprint layout tools? Stephen and Parker dive into this on this podcast.

  Type: Podcasts

• Trade War Impact on PCBA Supply Chains: Regional Alternatives

  Trade wars and ongoing COVID-related issues continue to lead North American electronics manufacturers to look for regional alternatives for PCB assembly.

  Type: Blog

• Why Are Companies Reshoring Electronics Production?

  In this post, we’ll cover the three leading reasons why companies are reshoring electronics production.

  Type: Blog

• The Ultimate PCBA Development Guide: Part II

  Build better habits and achieve better results by reexamining the complicated process of designing and manufacturing PCBAs.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• The Electronics Industry's Counterfeit Parts Problem

  The global trade in counterfeit is worth up to $1 trillion annually, with electronics accounting for a significant portion of that figure.

  Type: Blog

• How Nearshoring is Helping Electronics Manufacturing Go Digital

  Nearshoring may play a crucial role in the speed and effectiveness of a business’s technological innovations.

  Type: Blog

• Breadboarding for Success

  This week we are talking about Breadboards. Is breadboarding a circuit or design still applicable in today's SMT component dominated world?

  Type: Podcasts

• Should You Reshore Your Electronics Manufacturing?

  Inside, you'll find five helpful graphs that will give you a clear understanding of the current trends and advantages of reshoring.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• The DRC is Your Friend

  Using a DRC (design rule check) will automatically review design decisions and flag issues. This can save time and headaches.

  Type: Blog

• Five Steps to Successful Electronics Reshoring

  When reshoring is planned carefully and approached correctly, it can be seamless. To that end, here are the five steps to reshoring a successful project.

  Type: Blog

• Supporting American PCB Act of 2022: An Overview

  The Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act aims to provide incentives and funding for domestic PCB manufacturing and research.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Product of Many Imaginations

  MacroFab's Misha Govshteyn and Chris Church check in with Parker and Stephen to give his take on supply chains, nearshoring and reshoring.

  Type: Podcasts

• Let’s Segway into the Next Topic

  AI and ChatGPT have been in the news about how it will change world views or will it be relegated, making sure NPCs in video games don’t repeat dialog?

  Type: Podcasts

• Super Simple Power Supply “SSPS” Design (Part 2)

  In the last SSPS design blog post we discussed using the OPA541 high powered opamp in the output section of the SSPS.

  Type: Blog

• Super Simple Power Supply “SSPS” Design (Part 1)

  After adding feature after feature that we would like to see in a power supply, the initial design ended up being anything from simple.

  Type: Blog

• Super Simple Power Supply “SSPS” Design (Part 3)

  We've created the first functioning prototype of the super simple power supply and will see some initial performance tests.

  Type: Blog

• Will the Electronics Supply Chain Normalize in 2023?

  Except for uncertainty, almost nothing is guaranteed in 2023. Here’s what we do know.

  Type: Blog

• The Next-Gen Power Grid: Designing Systems for the Future

  Technological advancements now allow us to rethink our approach to energy, with myriad benefits for individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Events

  MacroFab events, tradeshows and more to learn how our people and services can help solve your engineering and supply chain problems.

  Type: Page

• Global Semiconductor Markets: North America’s Growing Role

  The global semiconductor industry is poised for a decade of expansion and is expected to be worth $1 trillion by 2030, up from $600 billion in 2021.

  Type: Blog

• Preparing for Economic Volatility in the Electronics Industry

  In times of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever for OEMs to adopt resilient practices to weather the coming storm.

  Type: Blog

• Reshoring Reduces Electronics Manufacturing Waste

  Each type of waste can inflate business expenses and make a negative impact on your company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reputation.

  Type: Blog

• Votronics Final Comments About Working With MacroFab

  Learn more about the benefits of working with MacroFab from our current factory partner. Don't miss out on this winning partnership.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics Success Story with MacroFab

  Here's how MacroFab collaborated with a skilled factory partner to successfully complete a challenging project.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics Recommendation on MacroFab

  Votronics Premier, our current factory partner, rates us 12 out of 10 on our recommendation value.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics Favorite MacroFab Platform Feature

  Learn why one of our factory partners loves our CAM and modeling data, and why he feels MacroFab's work instructions make his company's job easier.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics and the MacroFab Platform Impact

  In this video, factory partner Clint Cooley explains how their MacroFab factory partnership enables them to scale, grow, and work efficiently.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics Describes Their Experience with MacroFab

  Listen to current factory partner Clint Cooley describe his revolutionary experience with MacroFab.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics on Partnering with MacroFab

  Hear current factory partner Clint Cooley explain why partnering with MacroFab improves business performance for small PCBA manufacturers.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics on the MacroFab Business Model

  Factory partner Cint Cooley feels the MacroFab dashboard leads to better products for customers and better job understanding for factory partners.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics on How MacroFab Exceeded Expectations

  Find out how MacroFab project managers helped one factory partner achieve a superb project result and exceed customer expectations.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics on Achievments with the MacroFab Platform

  Type: Videos

• Votronics On What Sold You on Getting on the MacroFab Platform

  Discover how a MacroFab factory partnership empowered one company to expand its technical capabilities, improve its workforce, and purchase new equipment.

  Type: Videos

• Votronics on What Makes MacroFab Superior?

  Votronics Premier factory partner Clint Cooley discusses how the MacroFab partner program has helped his company.

  Type: Videos

• PCBA Product Lifecycle Management with the MacroFab Platform

  Sales engineer Francisco Luna explains how the MacroFab platform provides engineers with flexibility and faster design, tool, and process validation.

  Type: Videos

• Risk Mitigation Tips for Electronics Supply Chain Professionals

  Prevent your electronics production from stalling in today's supply chain environment with a step-by-step process to minimize supply chain risk.

  Type: Videos

• What Can Engineers Do to Prepare Their PCBA BoM?

  Sales engineer Francisco Luna explains the MacroFab platform and the required files to begin the order process.

  Type: Videos

• Electrical Engineers' Current Production Challenges

  Francisco Luna discusses the top issues that can derail PCBA projects, including supply chain issues that lead engineers to redesign products.

  Type: Videos

• Tips for Engineers to Combat Electronic Component Supply Chain Issues

  The MacroFab technology platform provides superior visibility and flexibility to solve today's most common supply chain issues.

  Type: Videos

• What is the MacroFab Platform?

  MacroFab offers instant feedback on your BoM and component availability so that you can get an accurate quote faster.

  Type: Videos

• When Silos Work for EMS Design (and When to Break Them Down)

  While silos work for farm products, they don’t always work for electronics manufacturing. Companies have been working to break down the silo mentality.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Laser Cutting Tolerancing

  They may be known for being electrical engineers but on this episode, Parker and Stephen dig into the more mechanical aspects of their current projects

  Type: Podcasts

• TinyML: What is It and Why Does It Matter

  Tiny Machine Learning combines reduced and optimized machine learning applications that require hardware, system, and software components.

  Type: Blog

• The Challenges of RF Design for PCBAs

  High-speed RF signals, for use in radios, need special attention to higher-order electrical engineering principles.

  Type: Blog

• Optimizing Diode Functionality: Forward and Reverse Bias

  It is crucial to understand the differences between forward bias and reverse bias operations to choose the best diode for a particular application.

  Type: Blog

• Global Headwinds Confront the APAC Electronics Industry

  Exports from mainland China, Japan, and South Korea have softened in recent years. Global electronics exports from these countries showed no growth.

  Type: Blog

• What Makes Electronics Manufacturing in Mexico so Attractive?

  Nearshoring to Mexico is an ideal choice for most North-American companies that need volume PCBA manufacturing.

  Type: Blog

• Why Should You Use Rigid-Flex PCB Assembly?

  Rigid-flex PCBs use both rigid and flexible substrates, enabling the electronic engineer to connect multiple layers of flexible and printed subcircuits.

  Type: Blog

• Domestic Fabs Won’t Solve Chip Shortage For Everyone

  Even though the CHIPS Act will funnel tens of billions of dollars into semiconductor factory construction, new domestic fabs won’t solve every problem.

  Type: Blog

• Counterfeit PCBA Parts in Electronics Manufacturing

  Discussion on PCBA parts and the impact on electronic builds. MacroFab has managed a zero percent failure rate for nonconformity or counterfeit parts.

  Type: Videos

• Why Cheap Open-Market Parts Can Be Risky

  Cody Endlich, MacroFab’s head of strategic sourcing, explains why working with a trusted partner can be key to success in open-market component purchases.

  Type: Videos

• The Truth About Counterfeits

  MacroFab's head of strategic sourcing Cody Endlich explains how counterfeiters create fake parts, and the risks they pose to your business and your builds.

  Type: Videos

• The Real Cost of Counterfeit PCBA Parts

  MacroFab's head of strategic sourcing Cody Endlich discusses counterfeit part avoidance, and the risks those parts pose to the economy and American jobs.

  Type: Videos

• Vapor Wave Reflow

  How do you shop for automated electronic assembly machines that cost upwards of a quarter million dollars?

  Type: Podcasts

• How to Build a Chip Factory - Reshoring American Electronics

  As a result of the recently passed CHIPS Act, a new generation of domestic chip factories will flourish from New York to Texas.

  Type: Blog

• Making American Electronics Post-Pandemic: Reshoring is Key

  This infographic provides information on the various reasons why companies worldwide are reconsidering their supply chains.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• PCB Prototyping

  Manage your PCB design, find components, receive real-time quotes, and order custom printed circuit board assemblies completely online.

  Type: Page

• The Thermal Hum of the Universe

  Relay manufactures hate this one simple trick that makes your “sealed” relays last longer! Except TE connectivity who has an note about this relay feature.

  Type: Podcasts

• Should You Manufacture PCBAs in the US, Mexico, or China

  Transportation expenses, geopolitical factors, and the narrowing labor cost have caused companies to consider moving operations to North America.

  Type: Blog

• Electronics Made in America? You Need Workers First

  Reshoring offers a solution to persistent problems of instability, lending companies the resilience needed to succeed now and into the future.

  Type: Blog

• Why Industrial Robotics is Experiencing Steady Growth

  Despite the challenges posed by global supply chains, sales of new robots still grew slightly at 0.5%, with 384,000 units shipped globally in 2020.

  Type: Blog

• The Yeti Job Hunt

  Stephen is on the hunt for the next step in his electrical engineering career and shares the shifts in the industry and what employers are looking for.

  Type: Podcasts

• Manufacturing Made Easy

  Streamlined Electronics Manufacturing Starts Here: Bring your products to market faster with improved quality and efficiency. Get started today!

  Type: Page

• Why the Future of Electronics is Moving Away from Silicon Microchips

  With technological advances and changing market trends, there has been a growing movement towards silicon carbide (SiC) and system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs.

  Type: Blog

• Making Money the Hard Way

  The US Mint Denver produces 30 million coins a day. Denes, the tooling department manager, discusses with us how production at this scale functions.

  Type: Podcasts

• 8 Tactics Every Electronics Business Needs

  No matter what type of business you run, the following eight tactics will help reduce electronic supply chain risk today and into the future.

  Type: Blog

• Reshoring Electronics

  By reshoring your electronics manufacturing to the US, you can start enjoying the cost benefits that come with local production.

  Type: Page

• Surviving the Warehousing Squeeze

  The warehousing crunch has put a strain on electronics companies that rely on quick delivery of electronic components or PCBAs, especially from overseas.

  Type: Blog

• Economic Implications of Reshoring

  Maximizing profits and efficiency by focusing on fully landed costs of goods, not just the lowest price to manufacture.

  Type: Reshoring Electronics

• Reshoring is Easier Than You Think

  Get instant access to an extensive network of trusted manufacturing partners without the hassle of back-and-forth vetting and negotiations.

  Type: Reshoring Electronics

• Riley Hall - Can Fictiv Make Beef Flags?

  This week, Riley Hall of Fictiv joins the podcast to discuss how Fictiv connects engineers and designers to job and machining shops.

  Type: Podcasts

• Get $250 Back

  For a limited time only, we are offering new customers a rebate on their first MacroFab order. Some restrictions apply.

  Type: Page

• May the Fab Be With You

  Type: Page

• How to Maximize PCBA Design Efficiency with Reduced Redesign

  This webinar is a valuable opportunity for electronics engineers and designers to gain insights and ask questions from industry experts.

  Type: Webinars

• Power Tool Manufacturer Case Study

  When a world-renowned power tool company realized its manufacturer had deprioritized jobs, MacroFab offered them more flexible manufacturing options.

  Type: Case Studies

• Reshoring Conversion

  Type: Page

• Supply Chain Challenges Persist for Electronics Companies

  We'll delve deeper into the supply chain challenges facing electronics companies and explore the impact on the quality outcomes of their products.

  Type: Blog

• Platform Update: MacroFab Expands Digital Manufacturing Platform

  This expansion will accommodate the changing business needs for OEMs with improved tools and a flexible set of options for every stage of production.

  Type: Blog

• The POD-Ganizer

  Stephen gets an upgrade in his electronics lab with a new multimeter, A Fluke 87V! We break down Stephen’s old meter vs the new Fluke.

  Type: Podcasts

• Risk Management Strategies for Smaller Electronics Companies

  Discover ways to minimize potential risks and protect your business from unforeseen events.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• Last Year's Freight Problems In The Electronics Industry

  The cost of shipping containers by maritime freight increased by 500% from pre-pandemic levels and the cost of shipping bulk commodities by sea tripled.

  Type: Blog

• Full Stack Manufacturing - David and Joel of Teenage Engineering

  Joel and David of Teenage Engineering discuss how Teenage Engineering was formed and how their unique view of design influences the manufacturing process.

  Type: Podcasts

• What’s Changing in US Electronics Manufacturing

  In the coming years, reshoring may be the key to maintaining the US economy's stability.

  Type: Blog

• Brandon Sander of Inheritance Machining

  Brandon Sander of Inheritance Machining joins to discuss restoring old machining tools, drafting manufacturing plans by hand and more.

  Type: Podcasts

• Contract Manufacturing

  Type: Page

• From Zero to Hero in Python

  Python software language, more and more electrical engineering jobs are requiring this as a skill set but is it just snake oil?

  Type: Podcasts

• Overview of PCBA Manufacturing Processes and Technologies

  We’ll provide you with an introduction to each step and explain its significance in the larger PCB manufacturing and assembly process.

  Type: Blog

• Starting From The Beginning

  When did you start listening to the podcast? Have a favorite episode? Let Stephen and Parker know which is your favorite.

  Type: Podcasts

• Checklist: Do You Know How to Spot Counterfeit Parts?

  Worried about counterfeit electronic parts infiltrating your supply chain? Counterfeit parts can compromise security and reliability of electronic systems.

  Type: eBooks & Guides

• The MacroFab Advantage

  Choose MacroFab for a stress-free, reliable, and professional prototyping experience.

  Type: Page

• Countdown to Hype

  Consider your product in an environment that will actively destroy the semiconductors. We'll dip our toes into Radiation exposure for electronics!

  Type: Podcasts

• PCBA Mass Production

  Realize your most ambitious product ideas through scalable, on-demand production without sacrificing quality or price.

  Type: Page

• Crawfish Conundrum

  We discuss the different seasoning, boil and soak times, and building an inexpensive boil pot from materials and supplies Stephen already has.

  Type: Podcasts

• Companies Bring Electronics Production Home From Asia

  Lately, numerous companies have begun reassessing their global value chains and moving electronics production closer to home.

  Type: Blog

• Component Obsolescence Management Begins at Design

  Reasons for component obsolescence, best practices for managing it effectively, and some of the benefits of partnering with a supply chain expert.

  Type: Blog

• Taking Pictures with Magnetic Flux

  Two major topics this week! Major Box Truck updates and a flashback when Parker was introduced to digital photography through the Sony MVC-FD5.

  Type: Podcasts

• How the Electronics Industry is Responding to Inflation

  Even as news of economic uncertainty remains top of mind, the electronics industry remains more stable than one might expect.

  Type: Blog

• Hardware Startups

  MacroFab empowers electronics startups to overcome challenges and achieve their goals faster.

  Type: Page

• The Simplest SMT Component… In The World

  Stephen’s CNC steps closer to being completed! Parker receives a newsletter that has the simplest SMT component in the world.

  Type: Podcasts

• Turnkey PCBA Prototyping

  Rev up your design game, iterate faster, and build better products within one comprehensive technology platform.

  Type: Page

• Electronics Manufacturing Platform

  Upgrade your electronics manufacturing process by leveraging a technology platform offering differentiated services from prototyping to mass production.

  Type: Page

• Integrated Supply Chain Services

  With unparalleled supply chain transparency, seamless collaboration, and risk mitigation, you have control of the electronics manufacturing process.

  Type: Page

• Box-Build Assembly

  Providing design assistance and customer support services that let you focus on your goals.

  Type: Page

• PCB Assembly

  Keep everything under control with one electronics manufacturing solution designed to manage and optimize every stage of your production .

  Type: Page

• 5 Things High-Performing Electronics Teams Do Differently

  Optimal team performance in the electronics industry is essential, and clear communication is the cornerstone in new electronics development.

  Type: Blog

• Bil Herd - Back Into the Storm

  Bil Herd led the hardware design for the Commodore C128 and Plus4 Series of computers in the 1980’s and currently co-hosts a weekly webcast.

  Type: Podcasts