… Everything else can be done dirt cheap. I don't think chinese are the best way to learn product design but they are pretty darn good at saving every last penny (or yuan in their case). I found it illuminating to study some of the devices of chinese origin (as opposed to ones that are only manufactured in China).
Original discussionTaking over a Dead IoT Company191 source comments · at importBring your own experience to the conversation.
You would be surprised at how often people with no experience try to build a physical mass market product that nothing more than an RPi in a box. And they often go under because the BOM is too high and the software is garbage.
Full originalEven the wooden enclosure could be done for significantly less. It's effectively a picture frame. There are plenty of standard box frame profiles they are very similar to what they have built. If it was me, I would have explored working with a picture frame company for final assembly, many are used to "assembling" products with extra components (think of stuff on Etsy). The frames are simply cut with a framing guillotine and stapled together. My estimate would be frame (including custom cut back panel), and final assembly would be in the region of $10-$15 at a US/UK framers. (Excluding electrical BOM)
Full originalUsed to work on an iptv set top box user interface (html+js on opera embedded) back in the days. BOM for the board designed in my country... 150$. Chinese manufacturer proposed a redesign 100% compatible with the same features... BOM at 15$ IIRC
Full originalRespect different perspectives. Share concrete experiences.
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