I religiously check the new product section of various DIY electronics shopping sites to see what new obscure parts people have discovered. These sites can be an inspiration or a source for quickly getting a proof of concept working. The problem comes when you expect these parts to be more…

As an engineer I am often asked to know what is going to happen before it even happens. Whether I like it or not, predicting the future is in my job description. Every new product needs to work for at least as long as it is under warranty. If the…

Focus on personal relationships to build trust in your new manufacturing partner. — When dealing with vendors it’s never just business. As structured and in-personal some interactions may feel, there is always a person on the other side of the proverbial table. A human being. Someone who has expectations and fears and a range of thoughts about how the interaction will proceed. Tending…

The shipping logistics after overseas manufacturing is a final but crucial step to a successful product — In the days of free shipping and overnight delivery, it is easy to forgot someone has the pay to make it all happen. Someone has to pay even more when it goes awry. This is a simple equation in the e-commerce world, because the seller has enough margin to absorb…