Fwd: twitter / board redesign - need CHEAP FAB manufacturing
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spanner888
Aug 28, 2012, 10:59:11 AM8/28/12
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Hi all
The mchck board was demonstrated to XCJ when Mitch Altman was here earlier this year.
I believe that their goals creating and selling a $5 uP board and their approach - not out to be commercial - would really be another huge step in helping to open up making to a lot more people worldwide.
If you look at their web site & git repo you can see that they have worked really hard on the sourcing side and got the component price way done ... but they have not yet found the 'right' manufacturer.
So does anyone know a place that can help them manufacture the
boards cheaply - need to be quite a bit cheaper than SeeedStudio
prices! Simon did talk to a number of companies while he was ih
Shanzhen & Shanghai earlier this year.
You do not have to reply publicly, and if you wish, I can pass the info direct to Simon, or provide his contact details to you.
-------- Original Message --------
The mchck board was demonstrated to XCJ when Mitch Altman was here earlier this year.
I believe that their goals creating and selling a $5 uP board and their approach - not out to be commercial - would really be another huge step in helping to open up making to a lot more people worldwide.
If you look at their web site & git repo you can see that they have worked really hard on the sourcing side and got the component price way done ... but they have not yet found the 'right' manufacturer.
You do not have to reply publicly, and if you wish, I can pass the info direct to Simon, or provide his contact details to you.
-------- Original Message --------
| Subject: | twitter / board redesign |
|---|---|
| Date: | Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:29:43 +0200 |
| From: | Simon Schubert <2...@0x2c.org> |
| To: | ne...@mchck.org |
Hi, you probably noticed the flurry of activity: I'm finishing up the R3 board design, and it is looking real good. If you want to stay more in the loop, you can also follow the project on twitter @MCHCK <https://twitter.com/MCHCK>. Also, while you're following, why don't you retweet the introduction (or write one yourself) so that the word about the MC HCK slowly spreads... I've managed to come up with an arrangement around a SOT-23-5 footprint that will allow the use of all kinds of voltage regulators: LDO, step-down, and step-up! On the quote front, I'm still trying to get a correct quote for the current BOM, and we're looking into alternative assembly houses. If you can suggest a fab, please let us know. cheers, simon
nihaopaul
Aug 28, 2012, 10:59:46 AM8/28/12
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Shenzhen supplier we use is much cheaper than seeed bit seeed is a business
spanner888
Aug 28, 2012, 11:07:45 AM8/28/12
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Surely the Shenzhen supplier is also a
business - just not retail.
Anyway the point is do you think they would be capable making and assembling the PCBs and would they be interested in making several thousand (I think the initial batch is in the low 1,000s).
On 28/08/12 22:59, nihaopaul wrote:
Anyway the point is do you think they would be capable making and assembling the PCBs and would they be interested in making several thousand (I think the initial batch is in the low 1,000s).
On 28/08/12 22:59, nihaopaul wrote:
Shenzhen supplier
sun sunny
Aug 28, 2012, 12:26:06 PM8/28/12
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i could find you one if the total cost for soldering is above 500 rmb (each soldering point is about 0.01, only for smt ,others are 0.03 for each soldering point ), pcb board in an mass production cost nearly nothing in china
2012/8/28 spanner888 <spann...@usabledevices.com>
Simon Schubert
Aug 29, 2012, 5:08:01 AM8/29/12
to xinch...@googlegroups.com
Hi Sunny,
Spencer pointed me to this thread, so here I am :)
We're planning on manufacturing at least 10k units initially. The board itself is quite small: 50x19mm, 2mm thickness (for USB), and there are only 13 components on it (one TQFP48). So far the biggest cost item is the microcontroller we use - it is about 50% of the total manufacturing cost.
For more details, have a look at <http://mchkc.org>, or ask me directly.
Thanks!
simon
sun sunny
Aug 29, 2012, 6:20:43 AM8/29/12
to xinch...@googlegroups.com
are you guys going to print out the kick starters vusb board?
2012/8/29 Simon Schubert <2...@0x2c.org>
sun sunny
Aug 29, 2012, 6:21:46 AM8/29/12
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can not open your website ,might be blocked ? why tpqf48 , what type of controller you are going to use?
Paul Adams
Aug 29, 2012, 6:22:21 AM8/29/12
to xinch...@googlegroups.com, sun sunny
mchkc.org = doesn't exist
On Wed Aug 29 18:21:46 2012, sun sunny wrote:
> can not open your website ,might be blocked ? why tpqf48 , what type
> of controller you are going to use?
>
>
> 2012/8/29 sun sunny <sunnyl...@gmail.com
> <mailto:sunnyl...@gmail.com>>
On Wed Aug 29 18:21:46 2012, sun sunny wrote:
> can not open your website ,might be blocked ? why tpqf48 , what type
> of controller you are going to use?
>
>
> 2012/8/29 sun sunny <sunnyl...@gmail.com
>
> are you guys going to print out the kick starters vusb board?
>
>
> 2012/8/29 Simon Schubert <2...@0x2c.org <mailto:2...@0x2c.org>>
> are you guys going to print out the kick starters vusb board?
>
>
>
> Hi Sunny,
>
> Spencer pointed me to this thread, so here I am :)
>
> We're planning on manufacturing at least 10k units initially.
> The board itself is quite small: 50x19mm, 2mm thickness (for
> USB), and there are only 13 components on it (one TQFP48). So
> far the biggest cost item is the microcontroller we use - it
> is about 50% of the total manufacturing cost.
>
> For more details, have a look at <http://mchkc.org>, or ask me
> directly.
>
> Thanks!
> simon
>
>
> On Tuesday, August 28, 2012 6:26:08 PM UTC+2, sun sunny wrote:
>
> i could find you one if the total cost for soldering is
> above 500 rmb (each soldering point is about 0.01, only
> for smt ,others are 0.03 for each soldering point ), pcb
> board in an mass production cost nearly nothing in china
>
> 2012/8/28 spanner888 <spann...@usabledevices.com>
>
> Surely the Shenzhen supplier is also a business - just
> not retail.
>
> Anyway the point is do you think they would be capable
> *making* and *assembling* the PCBs and would they be
> Hi Sunny,
>
> Spencer pointed me to this thread, so here I am :)
>
> We're planning on manufacturing at least 10k units initially.
> The board itself is quite small: 50x19mm, 2mm thickness (for
> USB), and there are only 13 components on it (one TQFP48). So
> far the biggest cost item is the microcontroller we use - it
> is about 50% of the total manufacturing cost.
>
> For more details, have a look at <http://mchkc.org>, or ask me
> directly.
>
> Thanks!
> simon
>
>
> On Tuesday, August 28, 2012 6:26:08 PM UTC+2, sun sunny wrote:
>
> i could find you one if the total cost for soldering is
> above 500 rmb (each soldering point is about 0.01, only
> for smt ,others are 0.03 for each soldering point ), pcb
> board in an mass production cost nearly nothing in china
>
> 2012/8/28 spanner888 <spann...@usabledevices.com>
>
> Surely the Shenzhen supplier is also a business - just
> not retail.
>
> Anyway the point is do you think they would be capable
spanner888
Aug 29, 2012, 8:23:40 AM8/29/12
to xinch...@googlegroups.com, Simon Schubert
<http://mchck.org>
- there is a lot of info there + they have more on their mailing
list
+ thanks to everyone for helping!
+ thanks to everyone for helping!
Simon Schubert
Aug 29, 2012, 9:12:08 AM8/29/12
to xinch...@googlegroups.com, spanner888
Woops, sorry for the typo.
it is http://mchck.org or https://github.com/corecode/mchck/wiki (same
thing)
The MC HCK is a project similar to the VUSB kick starter project.
However, our goal is to use a more powerful ARM processor, together with
hardware USB and enough code and data flash memory.
The board is also packed with optional footprints the user can populate
later, in case they need a specific functionality. For example, the
default configuration is:
- ARM core at 50MHz, 32KB code flash, 4KB data flash, native full-speed
USB, 12-bit ADC, integrated temperature sensor, etc.
- one LED
- reset button for programming via USB
- board edge used as USB connector
All that's really basic, but it already allows you to stick on a coin
battery and run for months.
Now these are the options the users can put on later by themselves (on
the same board, no expansion "shield" needed!):
- micro-USB connector (if you want to use a cable)
- or just cut the USB tab and solder USB to header pins if you want to
integrate it somewhere where there already is USB
- voltage regulator: can use any of LDO, step-up, step-down (SOT-23-5
footprint)
- 32kHz RTC crystal
- ferrite bead for better analog performance
- SOIC-8 SPI flash (exists up to 8MB)
- LiPo battery charger (add diode for automatic power switching between
usb and lipo)
Of course you can also combine them. For example, you could use the
LiPo charger together with a photovoltaic cell, and then run the system
off a step-down converter (to save energy), while logging data to a SPI
flash IC. All without buying more boards!
The board is also designed so that it can be used as a hardware
programmer/debugger for another MC HCK. You just use one row of male
header pins and push both boards on the pins (no soldering necessary).
This is a bit advanced use for people who know and want to use proper
debuggers (openocd).
I hope this short description gave you some idea about our goals and
made you excited about the project. If you are, follow us on twitter
@MCHCK <https://twitter.com/MCHCK>, join us on IRC #mchck@freenode, or
join our mailing list <https://0x2c.org/mailman/listinfo/nerds>.
Thanks!
simon
On 08/29/2012 02:23 PM, spanner888 wrote:
> <http://mchck.org <http://mchkc.org>> - there is a lot of info there +
it is http://mchck.org or https://github.com/corecode/mchck/wiki (same
thing)
The MC HCK is a project similar to the VUSB kick starter project.
However, our goal is to use a more powerful ARM processor, together with
hardware USB and enough code and data flash memory.
The board is also packed with optional footprints the user can populate
later, in case they need a specific functionality. For example, the
default configuration is:
- ARM core at 50MHz, 32KB code flash, 4KB data flash, native full-speed
USB, 12-bit ADC, integrated temperature sensor, etc.
- one LED
- reset button for programming via USB
- board edge used as USB connector
All that's really basic, but it already allows you to stick on a coin
battery and run for months.
Now these are the options the users can put on later by themselves (on
the same board, no expansion "shield" needed!):
- micro-USB connector (if you want to use a cable)
- or just cut the USB tab and solder USB to header pins if you want to
integrate it somewhere where there already is USB
- voltage regulator: can use any of LDO, step-up, step-down (SOT-23-5
footprint)
- 32kHz RTC crystal
- ferrite bead for better analog performance
- SOIC-8 SPI flash (exists up to 8MB)
- LiPo battery charger (add diode for automatic power switching between
usb and lipo)
Of course you can also combine them. For example, you could use the
LiPo charger together with a photovoltaic cell, and then run the system
off a step-down converter (to save energy), while logging data to a SPI
flash IC. All without buying more boards!
The board is also designed so that it can be used as a hardware
programmer/debugger for another MC HCK. You just use one row of male
header pins and push both boards on the pins (no soldering necessary).
This is a bit advanced use for people who know and want to use proper
debuggers (openocd).
I hope this short description gave you some idea about our goals and
made you excited about the project. If you are, follow us on twitter
@MCHCK <https://twitter.com/MCHCK>, join us on IRC #mchck@freenode, or
join our mailing list <https://0x2c.org/mailman/listinfo/nerds>.
Thanks!
simon
On 08/29/2012 02:23 PM, spanner888 wrote:
> <http://mchck.org <http://mchkc.org>> - there is a lot of info there +
> they have more on their mailing list
>
> + thanks to everyone for helping!
>
>
>
> On 29/08/12 18:21, sun sunny wrote:
>> can not open your website ,might be blocked ? why tpqf48 , what type
>> of controller you are going to use?
>>
>>
>> 2012/8/29 sun sunny <sunnyl...@gmail.com
>> <mailto:sunnyl...@gmail.com>>
>
> + thanks to everyone for helping!
>
>
>
> On 29/08/12 18:21, sun sunny wrote:
>> can not open your website ,might be blocked ? why tpqf48 , what type
>> of controller you are going to use?
>>
>>
>> 2012/8/29 sun sunny <sunnyl...@gmail.com
>>
>> are you guys going to print out the kick starters vusb board?
>>
>>
>> 2012/8/29 Simon Schubert <2...@0x2c.org <mailto:2...@0x2c.org>>
>> are you guys going to print out the kick starters vusb board?
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Sunny,
>>
>> Spencer pointed me to this thread, so here I am :)
>>
>> We're planning on manufacturing at least 10k units initially.
>> The board itself is quite small: 50x19mm, 2mm thickness (for
>> USB), and there are only 13 components on it (one TQFP48).
>> So far the biggest cost item is the microcontroller we use -
>> it is about 50% of the total manufacturing cost.
>>
>> For more details, have a look at <http://mchkc.org>, or ask
>> me directly.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> simon
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, August 28, 2012 6:26:08 PM UTC+2, sun sunny wrote:
>>
>> i could find you one if the total cost for soldering is
>> above 500 rmb (each soldering point is about 0.01, only
>> for smt ,others are 0.03 for each soldering point ), pcb
>> board in an mass production cost nearly nothing in china
>>
>> 2012/8/28 spanner888 <spann...@usabledevices.com>
>>
>> Surely the Shenzhen supplier is also a business -
>> just not retail.
>>
>> Anyway the point is do you think they would be
>> capable *making* and *assembling* the PCBs and would
>> Hi Sunny,
>>
>> Spencer pointed me to this thread, so here I am :)
>>
>> We're planning on manufacturing at least 10k units initially.
>> The board itself is quite small: 50x19mm, 2mm thickness (for
>> USB), and there are only 13 components on it (one TQFP48).
>> So far the biggest cost item is the microcontroller we use -
>> it is about 50% of the total manufacturing cost.
>>
>> For more details, have a look at <http://mchkc.org>, or ask
>> me directly.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> simon
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, August 28, 2012 6:26:08 PM UTC+2, sun sunny wrote:
>>
>> i could find you one if the total cost for soldering is
>> above 500 rmb (each soldering point is about 0.01, only
>> for smt ,others are 0.03 for each soldering point ), pcb
>> board in an mass production cost nearly nothing in china
>>
>> 2012/8/28 spanner888 <spann...@usabledevices.com>
>>
>> Surely the Shenzhen supplier is also a business -
>> just not retail.
>>
>> Anyway the point is do you think they would be
sun sunny
Aug 29, 2012, 11:27:34 AM8/29/12
to xinch...@googlegroups.com
that is actually what i wanna to produce , i ve designed an atmega8 version and going to persuade the investor tomorrow
( a small amount ,only 2000 rmb ), it is really welcome if you want to produce that amount of boards in shengzhen, the price for each board will be unbelievably low ,i can introduce you one if you want ,quality ensured along with a fair price
2012/8/29 Simon Schubert <2...@0x2c.org>
sun sunny
Aug 29, 2012, 11:30:26 AM8/29/12
to xinch...@googlegroups.com
we could actually compensate each other , another thing i want to mention is that you should use gold immersion to ensure the quality of the data from usb
2012/8/29 sun sunny <sunnyl...@gmail.com>
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