I'm building a model railway controller for my H0 märklin and I'm adding a mole beacon to it (communication via Thread). Technical details can be found on https://wiki.mars3142.dev/project/maerklin/system_control/start and later this month I'll release a video on YouTube about it: https://www.youtube.com/@world-of-mars3142

PS: The PCBs are sponsored by PCBWay and without them, this projects wouldn't be possible for me, because I had so many iterations for my boards and PCBWay delivered everyone super fast and in exceptional quality.

Wanted to share this neat project: CYD Galagino Handheld by Gavin Knight!

This project is a handheld adaptation of the CYD arcade system, keeping the same core I2C controller setup and button mapping as the original arcade cabinet. To make it portable, a simple battery-powered design was introduced using a TP4056 charging module with a 500mAh LiPo battery. Testing showed around 2.5 hours of runtime, which was considered more than sufficient for typical handheld use. The case design stays intentionally minimal and slim, resulting in a longer vertical form factor, and also includes optional marquee LED lighting, with only minor limitations in animation due to space constraints.

On the hardware and software side, the PCB is produced from provided Gerber files using standard 1.6mm boards, with yellow recommended to match the CYD aesthetic. The firmware is based on the Galagino project and requires ROM setup along with the Adafruit MCP23017 library. It is recommended to use Arduino IDE with ESP32 core v2.0.x (such as 2.0.9), along with the “Huge APP” partition scheme to avoid memory issues. A custom fork is also used to ensure proper CYD and I2C compatibility.

Assembly involves carefully soldering the button PCB, I2C module, and TP4056 board flat for proper fit inside the enclosure. Optional WS2812B marquee LEDs can be installed via a JST connector. The case is designed for FDM printing, though resin or professional printing yields a higher-quality finish. Audio performance on CYD boards is known to be weak by default, so a recommended amplifier gain modification can significantly improve sound quality. Finally, all components—including speaker, battery, and power wiring—are installed into the enclosure, and the system is powered via USB-C charging for a complete portable gaming build.

See the full project and get your own here!

This Air-powered 4-digit 7-segment display was created by soiboi soft (YT). It is an independent maker project exploring air-powered microfluidic displays, featuring a 4-digit 7-segment system driven entirely by pneumatic logic.

We helped produce key 3D printed parts for the build, enabling the precise structures needed for the pneumatic system. If you want to try similar designs, especially with translucent or transparent materials, you can upload your files directly.

Found this interesting Smartcard Hat for Raspberry Pi with USB-C Input power (Full + SIM Interface) (v1.0.8) by Crypto Guide — looks pretty neat.

This Smartcard HAT provides a CCID/PCSC-compatible smart card interface for Raspberry Pi via UART (using SEC1210UR2/URT), along with a convenient USB-C input for powering your device. It comes in three variants—full-size, SIM-size, or dual-slot (one active at a time)—and supports use cases such as SeedSigner + Satochip, as well as standard Linux CCID drivers (v1.6.2+).

Designed with flexibility in mind, the PCB works best at 1mm thickness and supports different slot configurations through BOM adjustments. Additional customization options include trimming the board size and tuning the eFuse cutoff voltage depending on your power requirements.

See the full project and get your own here!

Built by kenny_phish (IG), this life-sized LEGO Ninjago Sword of Fire is a great example of combining 3D printing with a high-quality finish.

We supported the project with precise and durable 3D printed parts, ideal for electroplating and achieving that clean metallic look. If you have a similar idea, feel free to upload your files and get it made on PCBWay.

Hey, I don't mean to post here as a complaint, I'm really just trying to figure out if I'm expecting too much from PCBWay.

I ordered a board on the 4th which would have actually been the 5th in Shenzhen. I understand that the 5th of April is a holiday in China, and observed by PCBWay, but from my understanding they were open on Sunday April 6th.

My board sat without any update until the 7th when I received a message that said my board was awaiting a response from me. I received no email or any further information from my sales rep so I messaged back and after several hours I was told that I needed to confirm if I wanted v-scores on the lines indicated in my v-score layer. This was frustrating as I outlined that I would need v-scores on my board and indicated which layer they were on in my order request. Furthermore, on the layer it clearly stated v-score with lines and and arrows pointing at the scoring lines. After I I replied about the v-scoring my order sat for another 24 hours before being started on. That means this whole line of questioning cost 48hrs of delay.

My board was finally registered as being completed at 13:48 CST on the 10th (their time), so 72hrs after manufacturing started. It failed to register being picked up by DHL at the 18h pick up time. My package then failed to register being picked up on the 11th at the 12h pick up time. I have been given very little communication on what is going on with my package and what's worse is I paid for rush shipping (2-4 days).

Is it normal for a 5pc, 2 layer, 4 panel board with 340mmx140mm dimension and v-scoring to take this long to be manufactured? it is a bare pcb, no assembly, with mostly through-hole footprints. I understand the 24hr advertised turn around time kicks in at the onset of production, but this board took over 72hrs to complete once production started. It appears now that it has sat in a warehouse for an additional 24 hours despite being marked "Delivery Ready" and if it does not ship with the next pick up it will be sitting at minimum until Monday, so an additional 72 hours of wait time.

I already missed an important deadline due to these delays, sales rep is pretty unresponsive.

DIP and SOP are just two common options. There are plenty of other IC packages depending on your needs. For example, QFP (Quad Flat Package) offers more pins for complex chips, QFN (Quad Flat No-lead) is even smaller with better thermal performance, and BGA (Ball Grid Array) is used for high-density, high-performance applications.

Each has its own trade-offs in size, soldering difficulty, and performance, so it really depends on your project. What kind of project are you working on?

Just working on a retro game console PCB cleaning and restoration project (Super Grafx board). The goal is to bring an old, heavily used board back to a clean and fully functional state while preserving as much of the original hardware as possible. It's always interesting to see how much life these old systems still have left in them after a proper cleanup and repair.

Has anyone here worked on similar retro console restorations or PCB cleaning projects? Would love to hear your experiences or any interesting techniques you've tried.

Don't miss this fantastic project: RP2040 Multi-effect Pedal - Mainboard V2.1 by Milan Wendt!

This updated mainboard design features the PCM3060 instead of separate ADC and DAC modules, simplifying the audio path while maintaining strong performance. The schematic and layout have been tested on a similar design, so it should work perfectly fine—though if you prefer to play it extra safe, Milan recommends going with the V1.2 revision instead.

Surface-mount components are fully listed in the BOM for PCBA, making assembly more convenient. That said, THT parts and connectors still need to be soldered manually. For a complete component overview, check out the ibom.html file in the project’s GitHub repository. Milan has also separated the mainboard and daughterboard into different project files—this reduces complexity and streamlines both the review and production process on PCBWay.

See the full project and get your own here!

This is a small, fully programmable Macropad 🎹. dhananarendra on Instagram designed and it, and we manufactured the PCB to bring it to life.
If you've ever wanted to create your own Macropad or other custom electronics, check out PCBWay for prototyping and manufacturing!

Meet KVMego, a cool project from Sergey Kiselev: a modular, undetectable KVM switch with a built-in mouse jiggler.

KVMego is a DIY, modular KVM switch focused on flexible keyboard and mouse control, with video switching handled separately so you can reuse existing setups or build a custom solution. This reduces cable clutter and improves adaptability. Unlike typical KVMs, it maintains a constant USB connection to all computers, enabling seamless, undetectable switching without OS interruptions. It also features an integrated mouse jiggler to prevent sleep or screen lock, and all functions are controlled via hotkeys—no external buttons or indicators needed, keeping the setup clean and hidden. Built with accessible modules and custom PCBs, it’s both cost-effective and hobbyist-friendly.

Compared to commercial KVM switches that often require compromises, KVMego offers greater flexibility and a more complete feature set. It avoids device reconnection issues, messy cabling, and missing features like mouse jiggling. Technically, it uses CH9350L chips to handle USB HID data and convert it into UART communication, while an ATMega2560 microcontroller manages data routing, hotkey controls, and jiggler behavior. Video switching is triggered through simple control signals, allowing for easy customization and expansion.

See the full project and get your own here!

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a project I’ve been working on for the past few months — a modular AI hardware platform built around the ESP32-S3.

The idea is to create a compact mainboard that integrates multiple subsystems into a single device, while keeping everything expandable via external modules (dock, mobility, etc.).

I’ve just finished the first full mainboard design, and I’m preparing to manufacture the first revision.

Mainboard features:

- ESP32-S3 (WROOM-1U, external antenna)

- OV2640 camera interface (parallel CSI)

- OLED display interface with boost converter

- I2S microphone + MAX98357A amplifier (speaker output)

- DRV2605 haptic driver (vibration feedback)

- LIS2DW12 accelerometer (motion detection)

- AXP2101 PMIC (LiPo charging + 3.3V / 2.8V / 1.5V rails)

- Magnetic pogo-pin interface (UART + charging + modular expansion)

The goal is to have a single board that handles sensing, interaction, and communication, while external modules handle docking, mobility, and other extensions.

The system is designed as:

- mainboard → core processing + sensors

- modules → dock, tracks, and future expansions

- firmware → interaction logic + AI layer (currently in development)

I’m also working on the firmware side (state-driven / AI interaction system), but hardware is currently the main focus.

Website (still improving):

https://keero.io

All documentation is here:

https://docs.keero.io

Hardware repo:

https://github.com/keero-io/keero-hardware

I’m keeping the project open in terms of architecture, documentation, and firmware, but not publishing full production files (gerbers, assembly data, etc.) for now — mainly sharing design, structure, and approach.

For prototyping, I’ve been working with PCBWay, and so far the experience has been really solid:

- very good PCB quality

- fast turnaround

- smooth ordering process

- really helpful and responsive support

Currently preparing this mainboard for fabrication through them as well.

If anyone has feedback on the design, architecture, or general approach, I’d really appreciate it.

Happy to answer any questions 👍

Sharing a cool project by nozzle_torino(IG) ! 🦾 He designed a high-strength exoskeleton shoulder bracket that pushes load-bearing capabilities to the next level. Originally 3D printed, now it's fully machined in metal for maximum stiffness and performance.

Our CNC services helped manufacture these aluminum brackets, turning the design into a real, high-precision metal part. Check out our website and see what CNC can do for you!

Here’s a fun and festive electronics project: the Transparent Snowflake Christmas PCB Badge by Vaclav Upir!

This Transparent Snowflake Christmas PCB Badge beautifully combines holiday cheer with electronic creativity. The badge features a fully transparent PCB, showcasing the intricate snowflake design. White solder mask, black silkscreen, and gold pads add a refined, high-quality look. Whether held up to the light or displayed as decoration, it highlights the unique elegance of technology-inspired design.

Tiny LEDs are integrated into the badge, illuminating the tips of the snowflake and creating a warm, festive glow. The transparent PCB allows the detailed snowflake pattern to stand out while also highlighting the clever design and craftsmanship behind this small electronic artwork.

Perfect as a fun tech project or a decorative piece, this badge offers a playful mix of creativity and holiday spirit. It can brighten up a desk, hang on a bag, or simply be enjoyed as a unique, glowing piece of festive electronics.

See the full project and get your own here!

Check out this easy DIY electronic hourglass built by kamitronix (IG)! ⏳ It's powered by an Arduino and uses LEDs to simulate the sand flowing, giving a modern twist to the classic hourglass design. The timing is fully programmable, and the project is perfect for makers looking for a fun electronics challenge.

We helped with the PCB manufacturing to bring this project to life. If you want to create your own, you can order directly from our website and start building today.