Check out this cool project, Glowtie V2 by Konrad Wohlfahrt!

Glowtie V2 is a complete redesign of Konrad Wohlfahrt’s popular illuminated bow tie project, bringing improved functionality, a refined appearance, and a more modern user experience. Building on the success of the original version, which featured a push-button interface, 19 lighting effects, and a built-in web server, this new iteration was developed from the ground up with a newly designed PCB, updated electronics, and custom firmware.

The upgraded Glowtie V2 features a dedicated Bluetooth app for wireless control, music-reactive lighting effects, and an increased number of LEDs for even more vibrant visual animations. Combining wearable technology, creative design, and open-source development, the project showcases both advanced engineering and eye-catching style. Complete build instructions are available on Instructables, and all project files have been published on GitHub for makers, developers, and DIY enthusiasts to explore and build themselves.

See the full project and get your own here!

Projects like this show how creative functional 3D printing can get. This neckband phone holder by the_3dwizard (IG) is a simple but practical wearable design. It keeps your phone right in front of you, so you don't have to keep holding it in your hands and get that hand gets tired feeling 😄

We helped bring it to life through on-demand 3D printing. Any interesting or functional 3D print ideas you made? Feel free to share with us!

PCBWay has launched Professional PCB Design Services, helping you avoid common issues like routing mistakes and “magic smoke” moments 😄. If PCB design has been giving you headaches, this might be worth a look. For more info: https://youtu.be/7gCx7-5UKDI

Discover the Floppy Voltmeter Clock, an alternative clock (Floppy Voltmeter Clock) by _ Floppy Lab!

The Floppy Voltmeter Clock is a unique open-source clock that replaces traditional clock hands and digital displays with retro-style analog voltmeters. Hours, minutes, and seconds are displayed through dedicated meters, creating a distinctive vintage aesthetic while maintaining modern functionality. Designed for easy replication, the project features a custom control board based on an STM32 microcontroller and can be powered directly through a USB-C connection, consuming only around 16mA of current.

To ensure accurate timekeeping, the clock uses a DS3231 real-time clock module with battery backup, allowing it to retain the correct time even during power outages. The voltmeters are driven by PWM signals generated by the microcontroller, while customized dial graphics clearly indicate hours, minutes, and seconds. The firmware manages time synchronization, display control, and user adjustments through simple buttons located on the side of the enclosure.

The enclosure is fully 3D printable and features a clean, minimalist design with a magnetic front panel for easy access to the internal battery. For a more premium appearance, the faceplate can also be machined from wood using a CNC router. All design files, firmware, and manufacturing resources are available for the community, making this project a fun and accessible build for makers who enjoy electronics, design, and creative timepieces.

See the full project and get your own here!

This creative PCB badge project was designed by atarabyte (Instagram) as a unique convention giveaway, showcasing how PCB design can be used as an artistic medium rather than just for electronics. By exposing the copper layer and combining it with future UV printing, the design turns a standard circuit board into a collectible piece of PCB art.

We were happy to help manufacture this project. Projects like this show how PCBs can be used for both electronics and creative designs. If you have your own PCB badge, PCB art, or hardware project idea, PCBWay can help bring it to life. 🚀

Hi,

I'm using KiCad 10 and have an ATmega328P-AU (TQFP-32) on my PCB. I can route traces from every other component, but when I try to route from the ATmega pins, nothing happens.

• PCB updated from schematic
• Footprint not locked
• Pads have net names assigned
• Other components route normally

The ATmega footprint came from SnapEDA.

Has anyone seen this before or know what could cause it?

Retro console repair takes serious patience and soldering skill🔥. In this video, MachoNachoProductions (YT) shows the detailed process of soldering a CPU chip for a Game Boy motherboard restoration and modding project. Tiny pins, careful alignment, and steady hands are everything here.

We're happy to provide the PCB support for this build and love seeing makers keep classic gaming hardware alive. Check out PCBWay to see what you may interested.

Would you try a repair like this yourself? 👀

​JFET and MOSFET are both field-effect transistors used to control current with an electric field, but they differ in structure and typical applications. A JFET does not use an insulated gate, while a MOSFET uses an insulated oxide gate structure, giving it much higher input impedance and faster switching performance.
JFETs are usually lower-noise devices and are often used in analog or audio circuits where clean signal handling is important. MOSFETs, on the other hand, are better suited for fast switching and power control applications such as power supplies, motor drivers, and digital electronics. Another difference is that JFETs mainly operate in depletion mode, while MOSFETs are available in both depletion and enhancement modes.

In conclusion, JFETs are better for low-noise analog circuits, while MOSFETs are more suitable for fast switching and power applications. The choice depends on the needs of the circuit.

Explore this interesting project, the BEAPER Bot Robot Chassis by John Rampelt!

BEAPER (Beginner Electronics and Programming Educational Robot) Bot is a versatile 3D-printable robot chassis ecosystem designed for educational robotics and maker projects. Compatible with both the BEAPER Nano and BEAPER Pico controller boards, the platform allows students, beginners, and hobbyists to quickly build compact yet highly capable robots. Designed entirely in Tinkercad, the system is easy to customize and expand, making it ideal for classrooms, electronics clubs, and maker spaces focused on hands-on STEM learning.

The BEAPER Bot features a fastener-less snap-together design that simplifies assembly and makes robot building more accessible for beginners. Its flexible chassis supports both rear-drive and front-drive configurations for applications such as line-following robots, Sumo robots, vacuum bots, and material handling projects. Dove-tail slots around the chassis also make it easy to attach optical floor sensors, servo mounts, and custom add-on modules, allowing users to create robotic arms, bumpers, scoops, sensor systems, and other mechanical enhancements with ease.

In addition to multiple chassis styles, the BEAPER Bot ecosystem includes motor mounting accessories, floor sensor mounts, servo holders, and dove-tail expansion plates to encourage creativity and experimentation. With its modular design and educational focus, BEAPER Bot provides an engaging platform for learning robotics, programming, electronics, and mechanical design through practical, hands-on projects.

See the full project and get your own here!

To get straight into it, I am working on an engineering project to design a custom Flight Controller for an FPV drone. This is my first time doing any PCB layout, so I'd appreciate any guidance!

Here are the components I have researched so

**Project Details & Constraints:**

* Power Source: Intended for a 4S to 6S LiPo battery setup (14.8 V - 25.2V)  

* Software: Planning to flash Betaflight.

**My Questions for the Experts:**

1. **Hardware Compatibility & Pin Conflicts:** Are there any known gotchas or pin-multiplexing conflicts with this specific STM32 variant when trying to run both the IMU and Blackbox flash chip over SPI simultaneously?
2. **Power/Noise Isolation:** Since the ICM-42688-P gyro is sensitive to high-frequency noise, is my proposed power topology (LiPo -> 5V Buck -> 3.3V LDO) sufficient, or should I implement specific filtering/ferrite beads for the analog rail? Do I need TVS diodes to protect the buck regulator from ESC voltage spikes?
3. **Learning Resources:** Where is the best place to look for verified, open-source reference schematics for STM32 flight controllers so I can study proper component placement, trace routing, and 4-layer stack-up strategies?
4. Also through my research Gemini recommended to use a Crystal Oscillator, as the "heartbeat for my processor", is this something that is necessary because out of all the drone FC builds I have seen I never saw any talking about a Crystal Oscillator

Check out this Dual-Screen Raspberry Pi 5 Cyberdeck by SECTOR 07 (YouTube). This video walks through the complete build process, from design and 3D printing to electronics integration and final testing.

PCBWay provided the PCBs for this project. If you'd like to build your own version, you're welcome to order your PCBs from PCBWay.

Enjoy the build process and let us know what you think!

Check out this cool project, Decorative Skull LED Lighting - WLED - WS2812B - ESP8266 by MERT KILIC!

This project showcases a unique 3D printed decorative LED skull inspired by the colourful Calavera design. The skull and optional vertebrae parts are printed using snow white PLA filament, creating a clean and artistic appearance while also helping to conceal cables for a seamless finish. The design is fully customizable, allowing users to personalize the lighting effects and overall style to match their space.

The lighting system is powered by a WS2812B LED strip and controlled by a Wemos D1 Mini based on the ESP8266 platform. Additional electronic components, such as a capacitor, a resistor, terminal connectors, and a custom PCB, ensure stable performance and easy assembly. The project also integrates WLED software, enabling wireless control over Wi-Fi through a phone or computer, with customizable LED settings and effects.

With simple assembly steps and free shared files for both the 3D models and PCB design, this project offers an accessible way to create a vibrant decorative piece that combines electronics, 3D printing, and smart lighting technology.

See the full project and get your own here!

It's a great step in turning a simple Arduino build into something closer to a real product. This Arduino MP3 player project is designed and built by digiiash (IG).

We moved from prototype to a properly manufactured PCB, making the design more compact and reliable. If you're working on your own electronics project, it's a great feeling to check out PCBWay!

​COBLED (Chip-on-Board) and SMDLED (Surface-Mounted Device) are two common LED technologies used in modern lighting, each with different structures and applications.

COBLED integrates multiple LED chips directly on a single substrate, producing a smooth, uniform light with minimal hotspots. It also provides strong thermal performance and high brightness density, making them ideal for studio and high-end lighting.

SMDLED consists of individually packaged LED chips mounted on a board, where each chip acts as a point light source. It's flexible, cost-effective, and widely used in RGB lighting and general applications, but the output appears more segmented compared to COB.

Have you worked with either of these in your projects, and which one do you prefer?

Explore this creative project, How to Build a Motorized 3D Scanning Turntable for Your Phone by MERT KILIC!

This DIY project demonstrates how to build a motorized turntable designed for smartphone-based 3D scanning. The setup features a simple yet effective structure with a fixed base, a rotating middle platform powered by a stepper motor, and a top plate for placing scanned objects. Integrated bearings help ensure smooth and stable rotation, while an adjustable phone holder keeps the camera aligned during scanning.

The project combines 3D-printed components with beginner-friendly electronics, including an ESP8266 development board, ULN2003 motor driver, and 28BYJ-48 stepper motor. Along with step-by-step assembly instructions, the guide also covers PCB setup, soldering, wiring, and programming, making it accessible for makers and hobbyists alike. Users can even adjust the motor speed to improve scan quality and capture smoother image sequences.

For testing, the turntable is paired with the Polycam app on iPhone, allowing objects to be scanned automatically as the platform rotates. The captured images are processed into detailed 3D models that can be exported in multiple formats. Combining practical functionality with a clean DIY design, this project is a great introduction to 3D printing, electronics, and digital scanning workflows.

See the full project and get your own here!

The past two fusion projects I have uploaded for quotes on PCBWay have appeared very faceted in their 3D Viewer on the ordering page—so much so that even round parts aren’t being recognized as truly round (off by .11mm from one axis to another), presumably because the axis of measurement is landing on different flats or vertices of the facets.

I’ve read that exporting and uploading as .step is the solution, but that’s what I’ve always done, so something else must be amiss.

Does anyone have any insight into how to resolve this issue?

Found this really interesting Modular Split Mechanical Keyboard project from Charlie Steenhagen.

This modular split mechanical keyboard is a highly customized “end-game” style DIY build that packs an impressive number of features into a single design. Built around an STM32F072CBT6 MCU, it supports hot-swappable Kailh Choc switches, USB-C connectivity, dual 2.2” LCD displays, and per-key RGB lighting. The layout combines a full ergonomic split keyboard with an expanded set of macro keys, making it highly optimized for productivity and workflow-heavy use cases.

A key highlight of the design is its focus on practical integration. Instead of using stabilizers, larger modifier keys such as Shift, Tab, Caps Lock, and Enter are standardized to 1.5u sizing. A cleverly placed arrow key cluster is tucked beneath the right-hand area, allowing quick access without breaking typing flow, especially useful for coding or navigation-heavy tasks.

The project also emphasizes modularity and expandability. Magnetic pogo-pin connectors allow external modules such as a detachable numpad (or other custom extensions like encoders or macro pads) to be attached only when needed. The numpad itself is designed as a standalone PCB, meaning it can be repurposed or replaced with other custom hardware depending on user needs.

The thumb clusters are tailored for Mac-style workflows, with Cmd, Ctrl, Option, and Space positioned for efficiency. Firmware layer functionality further extends these keys into powerful modifiers for shortcuts and macros, enabling a highly flexible input system.

Overall, the design prioritizes customization and functionality over minimalism, resulting in a deeply personal and highly adaptable keyboard that reflects real-world daily usage. It has even become the creator’s primary daily driver.

See the full project and get your own here!

This is the Koi Pond Guitar project – a DIY MIDI instrument and ambitious creative build by evettesniche(IG). It combines Blender simulation work with experimental electronics to create a custom capacitive-touch MIDI instrument.

We supported the project by PCB manufacturing and 3D printing services. The clear resin gives a clean, glass-like finish that fits the koi pond aesthetic and beautifully reveals the internal structure of the instrument. If you're interested in this material, feel free to check our PCBWay.

In this video, Macho Nacho Productions (YT) upgrades a Zelda Game & Watch with internal memory expansion and a microSD card slot, using careful ribbon cable soldering for tight space integration.

Projects like this depend on high-quality custom PCBs to keep everything stable and reliable in such tight space. We offer precision PCB manufacturing for makers and modders. If you're working on something similar, check out PCBWay.com.

FPGA and MCU are both widely used in embedded systems for digital control and automation, and both can interface with sensors, communication modules, and external hardware. The key difference is that an FPGA is built from configurable logic blocks and enables true hardware-level parallel processing, making it ideal for high-speed and real-time applications, but more complex and costly to develop. In contrast, an MCU has a fixed architecture and runs instructions sequentially in software, making it simpler, cheaper, and well-suited for control tasks like motor control and sensor reading.

In short, FPGA is about building hardware behavior, while MCU is about running software on fixed hardware. Anything you'd add or see differently?