From the Blog

Resources for Hardware Teams

Guides, analysis, and technical content for electronics engineering and procurement.

Now With Multi-Layer and PCB Customization!
Macrofab Platform Update

Now With Multi-Layer and PCB Customization!

We’re pleased to announce our next big feature release: support for multi-layer boards and customized PCB options. With this software update, you now…

February 12, 2016
Fiducials are Fun!
fiduciialpcbs

Fiducials are Fun!

Fiducials, or fiducial marks (fids for short) are a physical identifier for an imaging system that allows a point of reference. The fid essentially…

February 9, 2016
Plated Slots: Stop Fitting Square Pegs in Round Holes
Plated Slotspcb design

Plated Slots: Stop Fitting Square Pegs in Round Holes

Plated slots are plated through-hole pads with a non-circular shape. Most through-hole components in PCBs have circular or square leads which fit…

January 26, 2016
Smashing Text in Eagle’s Symbol Editor
eaglefontsulp scriptschematic

Smashing Text in Eagle’s Symbol Editor

ULP (User Language Program) scripting is a powerful tool within Eagle CAD allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and customize the software's…

January 6, 2016
Introducing Version 2 of the MacroFab Cloud API
Macrofab Platform Update

Introducing Version 2 of the MacroFab Cloud API

In November, we released our integrated inventory and fulfillment features, bringing the promise of easy, single-vendor, delivery from prototype to…

December 31, 2015
The DRC is Your Friend
drcdesign rule check

The DRC is Your Friend

Updated October 2024 Have you ever reached the end of a PCB assembly layout only to realize you forgot to set up and run the Design Rule Check (DRC)…

December 18, 2015
Partnering With Techstars
partneredtechstars

Partnering With Techstars

When we started MacroFab in 2013, we knew that electronics manufacturing was a challenge for many new hardware start-ups: Parker and I were coming…

November 28, 2015
Handling Silkscreen Over Component Pads
silkscreencomponent padspcb

Handling Silkscreen Over Component Pads

One of the issues commonly seen in PCB design is silkscreen information overlapping exposed copper on pads. If the ink from the silkscreening process…

November 10, 2015
Integrate Manufacturing, Inventory, and Fulfillment
manufacturinginventory

Integrate Manufacturing, Inventory, and Fulfillment

Getting your product manufactured is the first step in creating happy customers, but what to do now that you’ve got hundreds, or even thousands of…

November 3, 2015
Optimizing Component Selection in PCBA Manufacturing
component

Optimizing Component Selection in PCBA Manufacturing

Selecting the right components for your product is a critical step in the manufacturing process. Often, decisions about components are based on their…

July 16, 2015
Welcome Crowd Supply
crowd supply

Welcome Crowd Supply

Creating, running, and fulfilling a successful crowdfunding campaign has proven to be a challenge for both novice entrepreneurs and established…

June 5, 2015
New House Parts up Component Availability 04/2015
house partsmicro sd

New House Parts up Component Availability 04/2015

Our new House Parts are a great way to reduce the overall costs of your designs and ensure component availability when it comes time to get your…

April 9, 2015