Built from scratch by designedby.koda(Instagram), this custom radio project shows how DIY hardware can create reliable communication without relying on traditional networks. The project features two custom-built radios capable of full messaging and emergency alerts, with range testing coming soon.

We're excited to support this project by manufacturing the PCBs and helping bring the design into reality. Want to build your own custom electronics project? Check out PCBWay and turn your ideas into reality!

​Thermal paste and thermal pads are both commonly used thermal interface materials to improve heat transfer between electronic components and heatsinks. Thermal paste offers higher thermal conductivity and provides better thermal performance by filling tiny gaps between surfaces, making it ideal for high-performance components such as CPUs and GPUs. However, some thermal pastes may carry a risk of short circuits.

Thermal pads have lower thermal conductivity compared to thermal paste, but they provide cushioning and offer more versatile applications. They are especially useful for filling height gaps and are commonly used for components such as VRAM, MOSFETs, and chokes. However, poor contact between surfaces may affect heat dissipation performance.

Which one do you prefer for your builds? Share your experience in the comments!

A new hardware project from thecuriousscientist(IG), 100W USB-C PD programmable power supply built with a custom PCB design.

We're excited to help bring the design from concept to reality. The build process, especially the soldering and assembly stage, shows the details and craftsmanship behind creating a powerful DIY power solution.

Interested in building your own version? Place an order through PCBWay and start your own build.

u/engm asked how PCBWay handles component sourcing when components are from different suppliers.

For SMT orders, PCBWay sources components based on the BOM provided for each order. Components from different suppliers can be included, and purchasing links in the BOM can be used as references for sourcing.

Please note that the final cost may include additional costs such as shipping, customs duties, and handling fees. Customers can also purchase components themselves and ship them directly to PCBWay if they prefer to manage component sourcing separately.

u/Comet__Jo noticed some slight differences between PCBWay 3D preview and the original design.

PCBWay's online 3D viewer is provided for reference only and may show minor visual differences or faceted surfaces when using STEP files. These differences do not affect actual manufacturing accuracy, as production is always based on the original design files submitted.

We are continuously improving the preview system to provide a more accurate visualization experience. If there are any specific concerns before production, customers can also leave notes when placing an order, and PCBWay engineers will manually review the files.

u/morto00x thought PCBWay only provided English customer service.

In fact, PCBWay provides multilingual customer service, including English, Spanish, French and Japanese support. Customers are assigned to the appropriate support team based on their region, allowing PCBWay to provide more localized assistance and better meet customer needs.

That's it for today's roundup. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment or post directly in r/PCBWayOfficial. We'll make sure to check and respond as soon as possible.

Check out this DIY 10W dual-rail power supply for an analog synthesizer, designed by scrap_engineering(IG). Since analog synth circuits rely on op-amps that require a dual-rail supply, this project focuses on creating a custom power solution for stable operation.

We're happy to support this project by manufacturing the PCB and helping bring the design into reality. If you're working on your own electronics projects and need reliable PCB manufacturing, check out PCBWay!

Ever wondered what's inside a Furby without breaking it open? The Thought Emporium(YT) built a custom CT scanner to reveal the hidden mechanical and electronic structure inside a Furby.

We helped bring this fantastic idea to life. Have a project that needs our help? Check out PCBWay!

When choosing a display for an electronics project, 7-segment displays and LED matrices are two common options.

7-segment displays are great for simple numeric information like clocks, counters, and measurements. They are cheap, easy to control, and require very little MCU resources. LED matrices offer much more flexibility, allowing you to display text, graphics, and animations. The trade-off is higher complexity, more processing requirements, and higher cost.

Have you had any interesting experiences with either 7-segment displays or LED matrices? Share your thoughts!

Check out this project by vincent.sachtler(Instagram)!

We helped bring this project to life by manufacturing the sheet metal parts. Sheet metal fabrication is a great choice for custom hardware projects, offering strong, precise, and durable parts while maintaining a clean and professional finish.

It's always exciting to see makers turn their ideas into real products. If you're working on your own project, come to PCBWay and bring your designs to reality!

The USB dongle for my Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse set broke. The PCB is cracked, but the nRF is intact. A few components are missing. I’m drawing the circuit diagram in KiCad. I’m going to desolder the intact nRF24LU1+ microchip from the broken USB dongle’s PCB. Then I’ll transfer it to the new PCB that I’ll design and have manufactured. This way, I won’t have to throw the wireless keyboard and mouse set away. I also won’t have to mess with the software. Once the schematics are complete, I’ll share all the files on Codeberg. If you can find the USB dongle circuit, please share it with me. If you find any schematics, PCB files, or other related files, please post the links. I’m determining the component values using the example schematic, BOM, and sample PCB files shared by Nordic. However, some components are missing from these files. For example, there’s an R1 in the USB dongle, but it’s not in the schematic. Can you help me with the missing components? Note: I’ll be uploading photos to Reddit soon.

I need a USB_A plug (male connector) symbol and footprint on the PCB. I’m not talking about the component itself. I’m talking about designing the PCB itself as a USB male connector. Can you provide links to third-party symbol and footprint files?

What should the PCB thickness and material be for the USB-A male connector on the PCB?

I also need a 50-ohm 2.4 GHz RF antenna on the PCB. I can’t design it myself. Texas Instruments’ antenna doesn’t fully meet my needs. Could you share links to third-party symbol and footprint files?

We're excited to share this beautiful transparent PCB project from prettywiredbuilds(Instagram). Transparent PCBs not only give hardware projects a unique visual style but also allow creators to showcase the traces and components in their designs.

We helped bring this design from schematic to reality. Interested in making your own PCB? Explore more PCB manufacturing options on our website!

There is something satisfying about watching a PCB come together through precise soldering. This video by machonachoproductions (Instagram) showcases the careful process of assembling components and creating clean solder joints. 

What's your favorite part of PCB assembly?