My background- I am an industrial plc programmer. I am familiar with Java, python, mysql, Motorola assembly, and a over 12 ladder logic/ human machine interfaces in the industrial enviornment. In my free time I enjoy microcontrollers, and it is a passion. I made a control system out of an avr 1284p (arduino) on a breadboard with around 12 different inputs and outputs for my senior thesis(garden control system). I just love to tear apart old printers and try to build useful items. I also have a 3D printer and am working on photo transfer pcb making. I want to tinker in my free time like Mr. Wozniak and create something small and repeatable that people may be willing to buy. I want to prototype boards, send them to fab houses and sell the result.
My question- I know arduino down to the hardware but that is my limit. I do not want to buy boards I want to buy chips and components. I was looking into arm and pic but got overwhelmed quickly. I worry about communities for help, open sources for design, and cost of replication. So far I can do all of this with arduino but with the limits of the 1284p chip I don't want to reach a dead end. For someone who has years of experience, what bread crumbs would you give me to follow and what things should I avoid? Oh, and most of my designs will be making something move or do... like an aquaponics ecosystem built in a tank with measurement and feeding devices, or similar applications.
My question- I know arduino down to the hardware but that is my limit. I do not want to buy boards I want to buy chips and components. I was looking into arm and pic but got overwhelmed quickly. I worry about communities for help, open sources for design, and cost of replication. So far I can do all of this with arduino but with the limits of the 1284p chip I don't want to reach a dead end. For someone who has years of experience, what bread crumbs would you give me to follow and what things should I avoid? Oh, and most of my designs will be making something move or do... like an aquaponics ecosystem built in a tank with measurement and feeding devices, or similar applications.