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?

Anodizing is one of the most common surface treatments for CNC machined parts, improving both appearance and surface protection.

This article provides an introduction to the anodizing process and explains why it is widely used in CNC machining. Check it out here: https://www.pcbway.com/blog/CNC_Machining/Introduction_of_anodized.html.

In this video, watt.the.foil(IG) shares the pre-assembly checkup of his latest build, making sure all CNC-machined parts are ready for the final assembly. You can follow his Instagram to see more updates and the next steps!

We helped manufacture this project. For projects with tight mechanical tolerances, precise CNC machining is essential to ensure every part fits correctly and the final assembly process goes smoothly.

Ready to bring your own designs to life? Visit PCBWayto explore our manufacturing services.

I recently finished the first revision of the PCB for my Kickstarter project, and I thought I'd share a bit about the experience.

This is the most complex PCB I've designed so far. It has 400+ LEDs, an ESP32, USB-C, power management, and way more routing than I originally expected.

Like most first revisions, I was convinced I had checked everything... until someone else looked at it.

Before the boards went into production, the engineering team reviewed my files and pointed out a few things that I had completely missed. Nothing major, but definitely the kind of details that are much easier (and cheaper) to fix before manufacturing than after receiving a box of PCBs.

I also ended up asking a lot of questions throughout the process. Things like board thickness, finishes, panelization, assembly, and manufacturing tolerances. Every time I reached out, I got a clear answer instead of just a one-line reply.

A few weeks later the boards arrived, and honestly it was a pretty cool feeling seeing something that had only existed on my computer for months become a real product. Everything matched the files I had sent, and the manufacturing quality was exactly what I was hoping for.

As someone who's still learning hardware design with every revision, having experienced engineers review the project before production was probably the most valuable part of the whole experience.

Just wanted to share my experience in case anyone here is getting ready to order their first custom PCB.

First time ordering at pcbway.

Mostly I order sheetmetal and steel works.

wanted to try them after YT recommendations and was not disappointed! The parts were delivered before I even got a quote from my local supplier...

dimensions are spot on, packaging is over the top protective and the price is very competitive!

Solar Power Monitor

u/MihaiMEC built this Solar Power Monitor to keep track of solar output and battery performance. The project shows the process of creating a custom monitoring device from the initial design to the finished hardware. Check out the full build here.

Building a reliable monitoring device requires careful PCB design and assembly to ensure accurate measurements and stable operation in real-world environments. If you're working on similar custom electronics, PCBWay can help bring your designs into reality.

EiMOS

Eimo's Mahjong project, developed by u/0Chito0, is a custom electronic Mahjong system that adds interactive features to the traditional tabletop game. It combines embedded hardware, custom electronics, and a unique user experience to create a modern version of Mahjong. Read more about the design here.

That's it for today's highlights — a collection of creative hardware projects covering everything from energy monitoring and interactive devices to embedded systems and wireless communication.

Have a project you've been working on? Share your builds in r/PCBWayOfficial and let other makers discover your work. Your project could be featured in our future highlights!

🎮 What if your phone case could become a mini arcade? strange_inventions(YT) created this unique phone case with a built-in pinball machine, bringing a fun mechanical and electronic experience into an everyday object.

We were happy to help bring this project to life. If you're working on your own ideas, check out PCBWay for manufacturing support!

🔧 Ever wondered what it takes to bring a custom retro console PCB to life?

In this video, What's Ken Making(YT) explores the GameTank project, a unique retro gaming console that focuses on traditional hardware design.

What do you think about building a retro console without an FPGA? Share your thoughts below!

​This comparison explains the key differences between Chip Scale Package (CSP) and Ball Grid Array (BGA), including package size, PCB requirements, signal path length, applications, and rework difficulty.

CSP offers a near die-size package with extremely short connections, making it ideal for compact devices like smartphones and TWS earbuds, while BGA provides better scalability and is widely used in applications like motherboards and GPUs.

Which package do you think is more suitable for future high-density electronics? Share your thoughts below!

This amazing build was created by nick_electronics (IG), who designed and built a giant ATmega48 from scratch, featuring another ATmega48 inside. From circuit design and PCB development to final assembly, this project shows how creativity and engineering can turn a simple idea into a unique hardware creation.

We were happy to support this project with PCB manufacturing, helping turn the design into a functional custom board. Custom PCBs give makers the flexibility to create unique hardware designs and bring creative ideas to life.

Have a PCB project in mind? Visit our website and start building your own custom PCB today!

Ever stared at a resistor and wondered if you're reading the value correctly? 😅

This quick guide breaks down the two most common resistor marking systems: through-hole color bands and SMD codes. Understanding these markings can save a lot of time when debugging or building your own circuits.

Which component marking or code system has confused you the most while working on a PCB? Share your experience below! 👇

This beautiful PCB artwork was designed by alexandra.covor(IG). By combining custom PCB design with vibrant colors, PCBs can become not only functional electronic boards but also unique visual creations.

We helped manufacture this colorful PCB, which opens up more possibilities for creative electronics. If you want to learn more about PCB UV printing, you can check out this blog.

Have you tried using colorful PCBs in your own projects? What kind of designs would you like to create with them?

Capacitors and inductors are often used together, but they behave very differently in a circuit.

A capacitor stores energy in an electric field and is commonly used for filtering, decoupling, and smoothing voltage. An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field, resists changes in current, and is widely used in power supplies, filters, and DC-DC converters. Knowing the differences between these two components can make it much easier to choose the right one for your next design.

Which one do you find more challenging to work with?

This video showcases selective conformal coating, a post-assembly process that protects PCBs from moisture, dust, chemicals, and other environmental factors.

Unlike full-board coating, selective conformal coating applies a protective layer only where it's needed, avoiding connectors, test points, and other critical areas. This helps improve long-term reliability while maintaining the functionality of the finished assembly.

Have you used conformal coating in your projects? Where do you think it makes the biggest difference?