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How to turn your Arduino prototype into a real world product?
Once you have the full schematic circuit designed for your product, the next step is to turn it into a real world Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Although you’ll also be able to access the PCB layout file for the Arduino and any shields, you will most likely need to completely redesign the PCB.
What’s the best way to prototype a product?
If money isn’t in short supply, the quickest way to develop a new product, is to prototype early and often. Make sure you visit John’s website, Predictable Designs, and get his free cheat sheet – 18 Steps to Market for Your New Electronic Product.
Can a Arduino be used in a commercial product?
Using the Arduino core and libraries for the firmware of a commercial product does not require you to release the source code for the firmware. The LGPL does, however, require you to make available object files that allow for the relinking of the firmware against updated versions of the Arduino core and libraries.
Can a commercial Arduino board be open source?
Physically embedding an Arduino board inside a commercial product does not require you to disclose or open-source any information about its design. Deriving the design of a commercial product from the Eagle files for an Arduino board requires you to release the modified files under the same Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license.
Do you need to redesign the PCB for Arduino?
Although you’ll also be able to access the PCB layout file for the Arduino and any shields, you will most likely need to completely redesign the PCB. That is unless you don’t care about the physical size of your PCB. Regardless, having a PCB layout to use as a reference will be a great help.
What kind of chip does an Arduino use?
Other Arduinos use a specialized USB-to-serial chip from FTDI. So if your product doesn’t require USB data communication (USB power/charging is different), then you can just eliminate U3 which greatly simplifies the design.
What makes Arduino an open source hardware platform?
The beauty of an open-source hardware platform like Arduino is that you can easily access the full circuit schematic. Most shields are going to communicate with the microcontroller via one of the following serial interfaces: UART, I2C, or SPI.
What do you need to make Arduino proof of concept?
Apart from the PCB, you will need a solder stencil if your components are surface mounted. The stencil is used to apply the solder paste on your circuit. The components are then placed (manually or with a pick and place machine) on your board and it goes in the oven where the past melts on the pads of your components.