I'm developing a bit of software for a microcontroller, and I need help designing a pcb layout for prototyping (I have a list of components I want to be included on the board, like a certain mcu / screen / buttons etc..).
But I also want a design for a casing to go around the device.
So my question is, how would you go about freelancing this task out, when there's both electronic + casing to be considered in the design?
(This is totally out of my realm of expertise)

 

Depends somewhat on what you are looking for. If you just using it for prototyping, there are plenty of individuals who could do this (I could, but not interested). If you need something ready to mass manufacture, that is a whole different story.

 

Depends somewhat on what you are looking for. If you just using it for prototyping, there are plenty of individuals who could do this (I could, but not interested). If you need something ready to mass manufacture, that is a whole different story.

It's just for prototyping, so I can test the software out on a physical device, and also to just generally have a rough design of the final product. Is it normal to find someone to design the hardware + casing?

 

I'm developing a bit of software for a microcontroller, and I need help designing a pcb layout for prototyping (I have a list of components I want to be included on the board, like a certain mcu / screen / buttons etc..).

When you say 'help' do you mean you want assistance to design the PCB or want a turnkey job? If the latter, are you doing the circuit design and supplying a fully documented and tested schematic, or do you need 'help' there too? Or do you have a tested set-up using off-the-shelf modules you simply want to copy to a PCB?

Are you planning to solder the PCB components yourself or have it manufacturered and assembled?

How many boards do you want? There are minimum batch sizes for both PCB manufacture and Assembly.

So my question is, how would you go about freelancing this task out, when there's both electronic + casing to be considered in the design?
(This is totally out of my realm of expertise)

What's your likely budget?

As already said, there are many here who could do this (myself included) and on websites such as Fiverr or Air tasker (but from various references here I wouldn't recommend either of them).

 

Is it normal to find someone to design the hardware + casing?

Yes, freelance ( $ ->$ $ $ ) or design house ( $ $ -> $ $ $ $ ), depending on quality, manufacturing readiness, and a whole host of other caveats.

 

When you say 'help' do you mean you want assistance to design the PCB or want a turnkey job? If the latter, are you doing the circuit design and supplying a fully documented and tested schematic, or do you need 'help' there too? Or do you have a tested set-up using off-the-shelf modules you simply want to copy to a PCB?

Are you planning to solder the PCB components yourself or have it manufacturered and assembled?

How many boards do you want? There are minimum batch sizes for both PCB manufacture and Assembly.


What's your likely budget?

As already said, there are many here who could do this (myself included) and on websites such as Fiverr or Air tasker (but from various references here I wouldn't recommend either of them).

I need help actually designing the pcb. I have a selection of components which I want to connect to a pcb (like an oled screen, mcu, etc..), and I also have a general idea of the size / button layout, which the pcb would need to be designed around.

As for the assembly / soldering, I'd need help there too. But I'm assuming this is a later step, and currently I'm just thinking about the design itself.

Because this is a prototype, I'd only need a couple of boards (I guess the minimum that could be manufactured).

 

I need help actually designing the pcb. I have a selection of components which I want to connect to a pcb (like an oled screen, mcu, etc..), and I also have a general idea of the size / button layout, which the pcb would need to be designed around.

But do you have a working schematic (circuit diagram) that shows exactly how the parts are wired together ie which pin on chip 1 goes to which pin on chip 2, plus all component values and types, etc. You can't design a PCB without that info.

Because this is a prototype, I'd only need a couple of boards (I guess the minimum that could be manufactured).

Minimum is usually 5. But the physical PCB is arguably the smallest cost.

 

But do you have a working schematic (circuit diagram) that shows exactly how the parts are wired together plus all component values and types, etc. You can't design a PCB without that info.


Minimum is usually 5. But the physical PCB is arguably the smallest cost.

I do not have a circuit diagram, I'd need someone to help me with that also

 

I do not have a circuit diagram, I'd need someone to help me with that also

Have you ever built something of this nature before?

 

Have you ever built something of this nature before?

Nope, I'm just a software developer, but I need a custom device for a program I'm working on

 

Nope, I'm just a software developer, but I need a custom device for a program I'm working on

Assuming all the components are fairly common, you could buy the individual development boards for each component and wire them together to develop the software on. No PCB needed initially and you know it works when you come to lay out the real PCB.

 

Since you do not have much relevant experience, I hope you have lots of money.

 

...I have a list of components I want to be included on the board, like a certain mcu / screen / buttons etc...

why don't you share it?
btw. who came up with that list? how do you know the parts on that list are fit for this job?

 

why don't you share it?
btw. who came up with that list? how do you know the parts on that list are fit for this job?

I ended up just finding someone one fiverr to design the pcb for me.

Mainly these 2 components:
-Esp32 - ESPRESSIF ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8
-TFT Display - HS HS280S030RX

Additional components:
C3 Port - For charging the battery and uploading software via arduino ide
16340 Battery - Have this be rechargeable

I had a few requests for the designer, like include an NFC controller, speakers, buttons / joystick etc.. Which they recommended some things.

 

did you consider CYD? it includes ESP32 and touchscreen, different display sizes exist and it is low cost

 

I ended up just finding someone one fiverr to design the pcb for me.

Mainly these 2 components:
-Esp32 - ESPRESSIF ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8
-TFT Display - HS HS280S030RX

Additional components:
C3 Port - For charging the battery and uploading software via arduino ide
16340 Battery - Have this be rechargeable

I had a few requests for the designer, like include an NFC controller, speakers, buttons / joystick etc.. Which they recommended some things.

Hmm, we've seen several 'Fiverr' designs on AAC in the past that haven't delivered - post schematic and gerber files for a once-over.

 

Irving is right. Any design is likely to have some revisions. As a software developer you know how many iterations it takes to write something that works well. But in software you just make an edit and life is good. With hardware it is a bit different. Every time there is a bug, you need order new boards... this costs time and money. Someone experienced with products you plan on using is more likely to get it right and tell you what your description/requirements are missing. that is what you want. because someone else may not dwell on it and will simply connect things exactly the way you specify without much of a thought. and it does not take much to have something wrong. If you are born with soldering iron, not big deal, most of booboos can be patched up. But if you are not... you may want a second opinion before releasing design to some PCB fab house. the next question is... are you getting just PCBs or also PCBA? who is going to solder parts?

 

Especially one done in under a week. Not saying it can't be done (I've burnt the midnight oil many times), but I'd not trust it without a good deep review.

 

Hmm, we've seen several 'Fiverr' designs on AAC in the past that haven't delivered - post schematic and gerber files for a once-over.

It got complete today.
I don't mind posting here, as this is just a prototype, so anyone can tell me if there's something wrong with it.
This some of the files which they sent me

 

It got complete today.
I don't mind posting here, as this is just a prototype, so anyone can tell me if there's something wrong with it.
This some of the files which they sent me

I would have them fix up the schematic to make it human- readable.
It's drawn to generate a netlist for PCB layout- but that is only 50% of it's job- the other half is to COMMUNICATE the design to human readers.

Draw it so logical signal flow and connectivity is obvious- use net names where it makes sense, but not for everything.

The designer just plopped the parts down and started adding net names- instead of wires that lead the eye through effortlessly.