Arduino: From prototype to production
A great choice for startups and makers
If you ask an electronic engineer if it is a good idea to use an Arduino in a real project, he will answer you with a NO. But, assuming you are not an electronic engineer (but you have some knowledge of electronics) and you have a great idea or if you work in a startup, then using an Arduino in a project will be perfect because it would be very easy to turn your prototype into a final product.
As you know, exists many Arduino boards, but which could be perfect in this case? The short answer is Arduino Micro because it has two versions, with and without headers. Use Arduino Micro with headers for your prototype because it’s more comfortable do connections in a protoboard, and use Arduino Micro without header for your final product because you will need to weld some cables and sensors.
Some of its main characteristics are:
- Based on the ATmega32U4
- 20 digital input/output pins
- 16 MHz crystal oscillator
- Micro USB connection
- Reset button
Create prototypes with these microcontroller are very easy to program and cheapest for small and medium projects, but what about their advantages and disadvantages? here mention some examples.
Advantages:
- Quick to market
- Low cost accessories
- Compatibility with many sensors
- Large code base to drop from
- Large community
- Many tutorials
Disadvantages:
- It’s not a professional image
- Expensive manufacturing (for large projects)
Tips
Now that we know what we are going to use as the brain in our project, it is also necessary to know some of the most important tools that will help us to create our prototype, such as:
- FreeCAD: This software will help us with CAD design, like a case for the Arduino
- A 3D printer: to print our product (you can find some cheap ones on Amazon)
- Adafruit store: It’s an open-source hardware company
Conclusion
Arduino a great platform for makers and startups, use it if you consider it’s the best option for your project.
And remember that if you want to market it, need to you need to follow the regulations and laws of your country or locality (yes, they could be a headache).
Good luck!
