Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Stephen and Lucy talk about what it’s really like to advertise in the open hardware world. From running social media ads to trying out print campaigns, they share what worked, what didn’t, and what they learned along the way.They touch on things like figuring out who your audience actually is, why selling machines like the Lumen pick and place takes patience, and how good messaging and customer feedback make all the difference. Instead of chasing quick wins, they dig into how brand awareness can matter more than immediate sales.You’ll hear them cover:Marketing vs. advertising and why the difference mattersHow to understand what customers need (and how to show you can solve it)The tricky part of measuring ad resultsSocial media, search ads, sponsorships, and where they fitExamples of ad campaigns that hit the mark, and ones that missed---Join the conversation and share your thoughts at hardware.cafe.Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To learn more about what we do, visit Opulo.io.To see everything else we do, including social media, visit Opulo.start.page.O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Stephen and Lucy talk about the role education plays in engineering and open hardware. They share their own experiences, what they gained from pursuing degrees, what they learned outside of school, and how both shaped their careers.They get into the cost of formal education, the value of personal projects, and the lessons that only come from real-world work. Join them as they explore when a degree is necessary and when practical experience can be just as powerful.You’ll hear:The ups and downs of earning an engineering degreeHow different educational paths influenced their careersWhy side projects matter for learning and growthWays to balance classroom learning with hands-on experienceThoughts on job hunting with or without a degree---Join the conversation and share your thoughts at hardware.cafe.Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.io.To see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.page.O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Thea and Lucy talk about what collaboration really looks like in open source hardware. They share how they each found their way into the open source world, with stories ranging from building Nerf blasters to creating massive community-driven projects, like Nox or the LumenPnP.The conversation touches on different ways people come together to build projects, why documentation matters, and how simple things like clear expectations or a quick thank-you can make a huge difference for contributors. They also highlight a few projects, such as Arduino and QMK (open source keyboard software), that demonstrate what strong communities can achieve.In this episode you’ll hear about:What collaboration means in open source hardwarePersonal stories from the teamLessons from successful projects like Nox, Arduino, and QMKHow to encourage community contributionsWhy documentation and recognition keep projects thrivingCheck out the episode and join the conversation at hardware.cafeDo you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Stephen and Lucy explore the complex world of product certification, an essential yet often intimidating part of bringing hardware to market. They discuss the details of obtaining certifications like FCC and CE, sharing their experiences and insights from the certification process of the Lumen PMP V4. Addressing the challenges of navigating regulatory requirements, they emphasize the importance of understanding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and cover the various tests involved, such as radiated emissions and immunity.Key topics include:The significance of certificationUnderstanding the costs and time involved in the certification processInsights into the various types of testing: emissions, immunity, and ESDStrategies for preparing your product for certificationThe role of open source communities in enhancing product design and compliancePractical advice for navigating the certification landscapeDon't forget to check out https://hardware.cafe and contribute what you know! Be a part of something that will truly help small businesses around the world.Mentioned in the episode:Sparkfun blog post: https://web.archive.org/web/20200114052820/https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/398Stephen's Certification YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCjFhsOvi2I Blog post about the certification process: https://hardware.cafe/lumen-certs/----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we explore the concept of the "bus test", a critical measure of an organization's knowledge sharing and resilience to sudden, unexpected change. Join Stephen and Lucy as they discuss the implications of team members being suddenly unavailable and how to prepare for such scenarios. Drawing from personal experiences and recent challenges, they explore the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), cross-training, and documentation in ensuring that a company can thrive even in the absence of key personnel.Key topics include:Defining the bus test and its relevance in startupsThe role of SOPs in maintaining operational continuityCross-training team members to reduce reliance on individualsStrategies for effective knowledge management and documentationReal-world examples from experiences at OpuloBrad Feld - Three Machines - Blog Post: https://feld.com/archives/2017/01/the-three-machines/ ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we explore the influential media that has shaped our journeys as engineers and entrepreneurs. Join Stephen and Thea as they dive into the books, documentaries, and creators that have left a lasting impact on their careers. From the lessons learned in the world of open source hardware to the entrepreneurial spirit ignited by unexpected sources, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.If you would like the links to these recommendations, our YouTube link to this episode has all of them in the Description: https://youtu.be/INYg_2RSEPo Stephen’s Inspiration▶️ YouTube Video: Stephen Hawes Flamethrower▶️ YouTube Video: Everett Bradford Flame ThrowerThea’s Recommendation📚 Book: Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and SoftwareStephen’s Recommendation▶️ YouTube Series: Crash Course: Computer Science▶️ YouTube Channel: Ben EaterThea’s Recommendation📚 Book: Schiit HappenedStephen’s Recommendation📝 Blog Post: Strategy Letter I: Ben and Jerry’s vs. Amazon📚 Book: The Hardware Hacker by Bunnie HuangThea’s Inspiration👨‍🍳 Person: Gordon Ramsay▶️ YouTube Video: Gordon Ramsay trained by Marco Pierre White▶️ YouTube Video: Gordon Ramsay makes the perfect scrambled eggsStephen’s Recommendation🎥 Documentary Series: Developing Hell: Launching HadesThea’s Recommendation🎥 Documentary Series: Double Fine PsychOdyssey📺 TV Show: Mayday: Air DisastersStephen’s Recommendation🎬 Movie: The Social Network (IMDb)Thea’s Recommendation📺 TV Show: Silicon ValleyStephen’s Recommendation🎬 Movie: Print the Legend🎮 Creator: Freddie Wong: RocketJump YouTube, VGHS Wiki, and Dungeons and Daddies PodcastStephen’s Lightning Round🎙️ Podcast: Seth Godin - Startup School🎙️ Podcast: StartUp by Gimlet (Wikipedia)📝 Blog: Brad Feld - Three Machines📚 Book: The Dip – Seth Godin📚 Book: Death by Meeting📚 Book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance📚 Book: The Lean Startup📚 Book: The Mom Test📚 Book: Deep Work📚 Book: Crossing the Chasm📚 Book: PrimalbrandingThea’s Lightning Round📺 TV Show: Halt and Catch Fire📚 Book: Game Programming Patterns📚 Book: Crafting Interpreters📚 Book: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution▶️ YouTube: Tantacrul (Martin Keary)▶️ YouTube: KazeN64📚 Book: Game Feel by Steve Swink▶️ YouTube: Coding Secrets▶️ YouTube: 3blue1brown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we tackle the daunting yet exhilarating journey of starting a hardware company. Join Stephen and Lucian as they share their insights and experiences, breaking down the essential steps to kickstart your venture. From embracing failure to navigating imposter syndrome, this episode is packed with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.We discuss:The importance of accepting failure as part of the learning processStrategies for overcoming imposter syndromeThe significance of understanding your motivation and reward structureHow to balance work and life while managing the stresses of entrepreneurshipThe value of community and networking with fellow entrepreneursPractical tips for executing your ideas and staying flexible amidst challengesWhether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this episode will inspire you to take action and embrace the journey of building something meaningful.Sources for links mentioned in this episode:https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dip----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the OHM Podcast, We explore the critical phases of product development: Engineering Validation Test (EVT), Design Validation Test (DVT), and Production Validation Test (PVT). We discuss the importance of each phase in transforming a bare-bones concept into a market-ready product and emphasize the need for structured validation processes to ensure that products meet their intended specifications and can be effectively mass-produced.Join us as we delve into:The significance of product validation and the role of the Product Requirement Document (PRD)The differences and objectives of EVT, DVT, and PVTHow empirical testing and user feedback shape product developmentInsights into managing engineering teams and collaboration across disciplinesReal-world examples from their experiences at Form Labs and OpuloSources:----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License)Ad song:Forever Young - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we dive into keeping sales up while managing production demands. This is an "unofficial part 2" to the last episode, where we discuss keeping up with orders. From the importance of understanding your customer demographics to the delicate balance of marketing channels, we share our experiences and lessons learned along the way. Whether you're a startup or an established business, this episode offers valuable tips on effectively stoking the fire of your sales pipeline.Join us as we discuss:Identifying your target customer and their needsThe effectiveness of ads versus organic social mediaHow to leverage customer feedback to improve salesStrategies for nurturing existing customers and encouraging referrals----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keeping up with orders is an underrepresented problem that has been intrinsically tricky for us to solve. We cover everything from keeping lead times down and managing orders in the queue to avoiding stockouts and using stock management tools. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of manufacturing, and we have spent significant time figuring out what works best. We hope you enjoy!Note: To find out more about the FTC rule that was mentioned: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/business-guide-ftcs-mail-internet-or-telephone-order-merchandise-ruleNote: Link to the speedrunning site that was mentioned: https://one.livesplit.org/----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License)Ad song:Forever Young - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Stephen and Lucian as they wrap up this year by giving a year-end review of the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2024. From Prusa closing their source to FreeCAD 1.0 squeaking in at the last minute, they cover quite a bit while enjoying the memories.We can't thank all of you enough for a very successful 2024, and we look forward to seeing you all in the new year. Happy Holidays!Here is the link to the blog post about licensing mentioned in this episode: https://www.opulo.io/blogs/news/fewer-restrictions-updating-lumenpnp-licensing ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Managing a print farm may seem like it shouldn't be that complicated. It is tricky in ways you wouldn't expect, and it certainly comes with some life lessons!From choosing the right printer to optimizing filament and settings, we share our journey and lessons learned in building an efficient 3D printing farm.Whether you're running a single 3D printer or managing a fleet, this episode is packed with practical advice to save you time, money, and frustration.YouTube video about the print farm manager Stephen made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHku1zc3RQs----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License)Ad song:Forever Young - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Stephen and Lucian on an exciting episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast as they chat with Bar Smith, the innovative mind behind the Maslow CNC. We hope you enjoy this talk about the world of open-source hardware and community building as Bar shares his journey from a random thought to creating a revolutionary CNC router, the Maslow 4.1.You will learn about the struggles of developing a large-format CNC router that allows anyone access to fabrication tools while keeping everything open-source. Plus, you'll discover how Bar's unique approach to open-source development and community engagement has shaped the evolution of the Maslow project.Whether you're a maker, an entrepreneur, or just curious about open hardware, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of collaboration and innovation.Don't miss the chance to support Bar's latest Kickstarter for the Maslow 4.1, a testament to the ongoing journey of making CNC technology accessible to everyone. Click HERE for the Kickstarter link and be part of this exciting project!----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writing documentation is like a Greek tragedy, where you are both the best and worst person to write your own docs. In this episode, Stephen and Lucian dive deep into the art of creating effective documentation for open hardware products.Join us as we explore the balance between text and images, the downsides of video documentation, and the ever-evolving nature of keeping your docs up-to-date. Whether you're a seasoned doc writer or just getting started, you'll find valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your documentation process.Mentioned in this episode:Bill Hader - "when they tell you what's wrong they're usually right, when they tell you how to fix it they're usually wrong"Googles Style Guide Thea Flowers beautiful example of great documentation----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surprisingly, there are many other reasons why an event can benefit a company besides selling units at your booth. From making industry connections to gauging what your customer demographic wants, it can be a great place to gather data that could help you shape your company's direction. In this episode, Stephen and Lucian tell you about the trade show that opened their eyes to the fact that people wanted the LumenPnP for something we were not even considering, leading to a whole new branch of customers and a significant increase in sales. Sit back and relax as we discuss the good and bad aspects of events in this episode of the OHM Podcast!----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License)Ad song:Forever Young - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Packaging requires considering what you might need in the future, which is not as easy as you think. You don't want to bottleneck your future products because they won't fit in the packaging, nor do you want to buy all new packaging for every change you make. You'd be surprised by some of the design choices made in the name of packaging. Did I forget to mention that a horse kicked, bit, and stomped a LumenPnP? You never know what your packaging might go up against.YouTube video we did about packaging a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku4Wvu6LsrU----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finding the right way to offer customer support can be tricky. You can't run everything yourself forever if you intend to continue your growth. There are so many ways this can go wrong, so make sure to take the time to plan this out as best as possible before you dive in.In this episode, we will dive deep into how we handled building our support team and the hurdles that came with it.----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License)Ad song:Forever Young - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's here! The LumenPnP V4 is finally here, and we wanted to share some of our design decisions and explain why we made some of the choices we did. From wants to necessity, it wasn't easy. It took years of feedback, but we couldn't be happier with what has come from all of it. We wouldn't be where we are without the help of our community and the hard work they put into this as well. Thank you!To learn more about the brand new LumenPnP V4.0: Opulo.io ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You did it! You worked hard to prepare everything for launch day, but now it is time to put it all into action. Take what you have learned from the last two episodes and prepare for one of the most fun and stressful days you will ever have. Stephen and Lucian have experienced their fair share of ups and downs with different launch days and are ready to share their best practices with you. If you thought the hard work stopped here, guess again.----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License)Ad song:Forever Young - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we gear up for launch day, listen to the conclusion of Preparing for Launch. (If you haven't listened to Part 1, we highly recommend doing so before diving into this episode!) Stephen and Lucian will cover topics like internal work instructions, setting up your PLM software, press kits, and so much more. This is really fun to talk about because we are also in the middle of this right now. It's been fun and quite meta. We hope you enjoy this episode!Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you!To find out more about what we do, check out Opulo.ioTo see everything else we do, including social media, check out Opulo.start.pageO.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!Intro song:Complicate Ya - Otis McDonald (Creative Commons Attribution License) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.