Making a real world product

[AbhishekBK]

Hello guys,
I am a electronics hobbyist. Most of my knowledge comes from the internet and text books. Though I can get around circuit building and all, I have not much knowledge of the real world electronic projects are made.

Recently I came across an idea that I want to test the market for. So I was wondering what are the steps that can take a bread board/pcb project into a real word product. So here are my questions

1. Development boards and circuits are quite bulky, how are they miniaturised? Are there specially available "smaller" version components for putting into real world products? How are they mounted on the board?

2. How is the casing for the circuit done? Are there companies that make the casing for you? How are the casings designed?

3. If you are using an adapter as a power supply, and your ics are going to be kept quite close to the p\w supply, is there anything risk of induction and interference? How can we protect from that?

4. And finally, how are the products tested in the real world?

 

[ElectronWorks]

Here are your answers:

1. Development boards and circuits are quite bulky, how are they miniaturised? Are there specially available "smaller" version components for putting into real world products? How are they mounted on the board?

-Yes. Engineers tend to prototype with through hole components (components that stick through holes in the PCB). In production they use surface mount components (SMD = surface mount device) to make the device smaller. For prototype, this can be done by hand depending on how small the components are. For production, you need to go to a subcontract PCB assembly company. Just google 'PCB assembly' and it should point you in the right direction.


2. How is the casing for the circuit done? Are there companies that make the casing for you? How are the casings designed?

Google 'industrial design'. They are the guys that can make fancy coloured iPod like cases for you and advise you on what looks sexy

3. If you are using an adapter as a power supply, and your ics are going to be kept quite close to the p\w supply, is there anything risk of induction and interference? How can we protect from that?

Not really. A wall cube power supply tends to have quite good shielding and all the electronics are at the other end of the cable

4. And finally, how are the products tested in the real world?
You need to EMC test if you are going to sell into Europe. This is expensive though. Google is the first place to look

Bill Naylor

 

[AbhishekBK]

Thanks

Thanks for the great info