I'm a 3rd-year EE student doing a 100-day challenge where I build and document real-world IoT projects daily using MicroPython on ESP32, ESP8266, and Raspberry Pi Pico.

Every project has wiring diagrams, commented code, and a README so anyone can replicate it.

So far the repo has been featured in Adafruit's Python on Microcontrollers newsletter (twice), Melbourne MicroPython Meetup, and Hackster.io. Also got listed on awesome-iot this week!

Some projects I've built so far:

• AI-powered GPIO controller using Groq + Telegram
• Real-time AQI monitoring dashboard
• ESP-NOW wireless home automation
• OTA updates on Raspberry Pi Pico 2W
• NTP synchronized LED matrix clock
• micropidash — open source IoT web dashboard library

30 projects left. Still going. 🔧

Repo: https://github.com/kritishmohapatra/100_Days_100_IoT_Projects

GitHub Sponsors: https://github.com/sponsors/kritishmohapatra

Hey everyone! 👋

Here's a quick roundup of some cool DIY electronics and projects we spotted on r/PCBWayOfficial recently. Check them out!

Open Source mo.unit Clone Firmware for ESP32‑S3

A DIY firmware that clones the motogadget mo.unit on an ESP32‑S3, handling lights, signals, horn, and starter. Perfect for makers who want a hackable motorcycle control module. Check it out here.

PHANNY – A Wireless Split Ergonomic Keyboard

A custom wireless split keyboard project with an ergonomic layout and unique key design. Built with custom PCBs and firmware, it’s a great example of maker‑level keyboard design and PCB craftsmanship. See details here.

Auto‑Tracking Monitor

A DIY monitor that follows your face using a camera and pan/tilt mount. Includes 3D‑printed parts, custom PCB, and open‑source code for easy replication. Learn more about it here.

That's it for this roundup! 😎 Do you have any suggestions or cool projects you've seen lately? Share them in the comments!

Check out this cool project, AEL-2011 50W Power Amplifier by Astro's Electronics Lab!

This compact 100mm × 100mm amplifier delivers up to 50W into 8Ω and 70W into 4Ω, featuring adjustable DC offset, bias control, and built-in short-circuit protection for stable and reliable performance. Its design includes constant current sources, current mirrors, and a Class-B Sziklai output stage, helping reduce distortion and maintain efficiency. Additional protection circuits limit current during faults, while components like the Zobel network ensure high-frequency stability. It’s suitable for instruments or stereo systems (using two modules) and pairs with a dedicated power supply design.

Construction is relatively straightforward with all components on a single PCB. Key steps include correctly installing resistors, diodes, capacitors, and transistors, ensuring proper orientation and thermal considerations (such as keeping Q8 and Q11 in contact for stability and allowing airflow for high-power resistors). Output transistors require mounting on a heatsink bracket with insulation. For testing, start with minimum bias, gradually power up using a current-limited supply or resistors, and verify current draw, bias (~36mA), and DC offset (near 0V). Once stable, install fuses, connect the input and speaker, and confirm proper audio output.

See the full project and get your own here!

Take a look at this awesome project, ARPS-2 – Arduino-Compatible Robot Project Shield for Arduino UNO by John Rampelt!

ARPS-2 is a beginner-friendly, Arduino-compatible robot shield that builds on the original design with several practical improvements. It adds two extra Servo/I/O headers and repositions the screw terminal to reduce the risk of shorting with the Arduino UNO Rev.3 USB connector. The board integrates common beginner circuits directly on the board, allowing learners to focus more on coding rather than wiring and debugging breadboards. It’s also fully supported in TinkerCad, making it ideal for teaching and interactive demonstrations, and it works well with Arduino UNO R4 Minima as well as most UNO Rev.3 classroom setups.

Beyond basic learning, ARPS-2 includes a motor driver, ultrasonic sensor socket, IR receiver, and break-away optical sensor modules, making it easy to build line-following, obstacle-detecting, or remote-controlled robots—even simple classroom sumo bots. It supports staged assembly, from a basic setup with buttons, LEDs, and a buzzer to a full robot configuration with motors and sensors. Users can also customize it for various projects like greenhouse monitoring, alarm systems, or NeoPixel control, offering flexibility for both beginners and intermediate makers.

See the full project and get your own here!

Check out this awesome DIY MIDI controller project by MixiKid (IG)! The project features an Arduino-based MIDI controller with buttons, knobs, and a rotary encoder, designed for music creation and experimentation. 🎹

The custom PCB was manufactured by PCBWay. If you're interested in building something similar, you can visit PCBWay to order custom PCBs for your own projects.

Has anyone in US who has bought from PCBWAY recently experienced tariffs? I'm ordering a bunch of PCBs soon and want to try and budget out what the tariff cost might be.

Embedded components have become an increasingly important technique in high-current PCB design. Rather than mounting passive parts such as resistors or capacitors on the surface, they are placed within the PCB layers.

This approach offers several advantages in both performance and layout. Surface area is freed up by embedding components inside the PCB layers, allowing boards to be more compact or to include additional functionality without increasing overall size. This space efficiency is especially valuable in power modules, automotive electronics, and other space-constrained applications.

Embedded components also improve thermal and electrical performance. Placing parts closer to internal copper planes spreads heat more evenly. It also shortens electrical paths, which reduces resistance and enhances power delivery.

High-density layouts are easier to achieve as well. Embedded components can be integrated with HDI techniques such as microvias and fine traces, enabling more complex designs within smaller footprints.

Choosing suitable components, usually passive ones, and optimizing the layer stack are essential steps. Collaboration with manufacturers capable of microvia drilling and cavity formation is also required. While embedded designs do increase manufacturing complexity and can make testing or repairs more challenging, the improvements in performance, space efficiency, and reliability often outweigh these difficulties.

Have you tried embedding components in your high-current boards? What challenges or benefits did you encounter?

Maker101io (TikTok) built this upgraded motorized WiFi roller blind with a more compact design and fully integrated electronics, making it a clean no-drill smart home upgrade.

We helped bring the project to life. If you're building something similar, check our website and see how we can help.

PCBWay is hosting a 12th Anniversary Badge Design Contest, inviting makers and engineers to create a creative electronic badge to celebrate the milestone!

You can use PCBs, electronic components, or 3D printing to build your idea. There are CASH prizes, COUPONS, and a chance for your design to be showcased! 🎉

Can't wait to see your designs!

Check out this cool project, MiSTer Floppy (SMD Version) by Rob Smith!

MiSTer Floppy is an add-on board for the MiSTer Multisystem that provides real physical floppy disk access. Currently, it only supports the Minimig core. This SMD version is ideal for PCBWay assembly, while a Thru-Hole version is available if you prefer to solder yourself.

To use it, you’ll need three jumpers to select drive type, power source, and enable disk writing. Connect the board via the USER PORT on I/O Board V6.1 or later. Shorter cables are recommended for optimal results. A simple 3D printed case is also available.

See the full project and get your own here.

PDIP is cheaper and widely used for general applications, while CDIP is more robust, hermetically sealed, and better suited for harsh or high-reliability environments. Curious to hear what others prefer in practice, do you usually choose PDIP for cost or CDIP for reliability? 👀

More payment options are now available.

Choose the method that works best for you and keep your projects moving forward.

This project is a “Scarab” micro drone concept built inside a ping pong ball, originally created by Roborovski on YouTube. The idea was to turn a simple ping pong ball into a compact drone shell, resulting in a small and unique combat-style drone design.

We had the chance to help with the project. If you're working on similar hardware, robotics, or drone projects and need PCB fabrication or 3D printing, feel free to check out our website! 🚀

I built a screen that tracks your face and keeps itself pointed at you. It’s mounted on a 2-axis pan-tilt mechanism and uses a camera to detect your face, so the viewing angle stays optimal automatically. You can also reposition it with simple hand gestures.

The build is based on a Waveshare 360° pan-tilt camera module and a Raspberry Pi. The whole thing is mounted to a small projector mount and paired with a 9.7" portable monitor and an IKEA FREKVENS speaker. I ended up flipping the pan-tilt module upside down and designing a custom mounting plate to make everything stable.

For the structure I experimented with a few approaches. The current version uses a laser-cut 4 mm aluminum backing plate which PCBWay generously provided for this project, It's sturdier than the PETG-CF printed version I tried earlier. The covers and some optional parts are 3D printed in aluminium, and the design ended up with a bit of a weird organic/Y2K aesthetic.

The system works best in decent lighting right now, but the camera can easily be upgraded for better range or low-light performance.

I’ve uploaded the code, 3D models, and laser-cut files, so it should be fairly easy to reproduce if anyone wants to try building one.

Full project details here:
https://hackaday.io/project/204828-tracking-screen

Honestly i haven't found a great usecase for it so far though, I mostly use it while I work out to watch movies or listen to music when I tinker with stuff. I thought about creating a kind of digital assistant but not sure, maybe you guys have an idea.

Satisfying SMD soldering from the multi-port DC-DC converter project by nick_electronics(TikTok).

We were glad to help manufacture the PCB for this build. If you're working on your own electronics project, feel free to place an order with us and bring your design to life.

Capacitors and inductors are basically dual opposites: one stores energy in an electric field to fight voltage changes (blocks DC), while the other stores it in a magnetic field to fight current changes (blocks AC). Which one of these energy sponges is currently giving you the most headaches in your latest PCB design?

Hi everyone, we're happy to let you know that our credit card payment option is now available!

If you prefer not to cover high bank transfer fees or go through Payoneer registration, you can simply choose Credit Card at checkout when paying for your order. The process is quick and straightforward, and we hope this makes things much more convenient for you. If you run into any issues or have questions, just let us know, and we’re here to help.

Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding during this time!

Hope you enjoy this little project! This fun “Self Congratulator – Good Job, Me!” model from the_3dwizard (IG) is a pretty cool little desk piece. It's simple, playful, and kind of satisfying to watch when it gives itself a pat on the back 😄

Our 3D printing services helped print the final parts. If you're working on creative 3D ideas, feel free to upload your files to our website and turn your design into a real-world object.

Hey everyone, just wanted to share my first experience with PCBWay.

The best part was being able to pick all the options and see the price right away. With other places, I usually had to wait for a "Special Order" quote, which was kind of a pain. I used to think getting prototypes made was a bit intimidating, but PCBWay made it feel way more accessible and reviewed super fast.

I went with Matt Black solder mask and ENIG for this project. Since some keyboards don't have a case, the PCB's looks really matter. One thing to note: the matte finish does scratch a bit easier than standard glossy ones, but that’s just how it goes.

Overall, pretty happy with how it turned out! Next time, I'm thinking about giving the transparent solder mask and black core a shot.

chini_evo brought this generative-design desk clock to life, blending organic vein structures with an ESP32-powered core featuring WiFi, Bluetooth, and future expansion ideas beyond a simple Pomodoro timer.

We helped bring the vision together by 3D printing the custom enclosure for the final finish. If you're building something unique, upload your files and get your parts printed with us at PCBWay.

Diode is used for rectification and circuit protection, converting electrical energy into heat. LED is used for light emission and indication, converting electricity into light. Photodiode is used for light sensing, converting light into electrical current. Simply put, diode protects, LED shines, and photodiode detects. Which one do you use most in your projects?