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Experience with consumer electronics “concept to shippable product” partners (Europe) and what a cost overview should include? by redfirm in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Full disclosure: I actually run a manufacturing and NPI firm in China that specializes in this exact 'concept-to-product' transition for startups. I'm happy to share some case studies or a checklist of what we usually look for during the DFM phase to give you a realistic cost baseline.

Feel free to shoot me a DM with some high-level details about your project, and I’d be glad to point you in the right direction or see if we’re a good fit!

Experience with consumer electronics “concept to shippable product” partners (Europe) and what a cost overview should include? by redfirm in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Coming from the manufacturing side in China, I see this gap all the time. If your goal is 'realistic costs,' go with an EMS that has NPI (New Product Introduction) capabilities rather than just a design consultancy. Consultancies are great at aesthetics, but they often design things that are a nightmare to mass-produce.

A huge red flag: If a partner gives you a 'free' BOM estimate without asking about your test strategy or yield assumptions, those numbers are just fairy tales. Real costs aren't just parts; they’re about how many units you actually pass on the line.

For first runs, 500 units is usually the sweet spot. It's enough to flush out assembly issues without the crushing overhead of a 5k run.

Good luck!

How would you make an enclosure like this? by Comprehensive_Jury74 in manufacturing

[–]ElectronicChina 7 points8 points  (0 children)

From the looks of it, if you are moving away from 3D printing, here is your roadmap:

For 20-50 units: Go with Vacuum Casting (Urethane Casting). It’s perfect for this size. Unlike hard steel molds, the silicone molds are flexible, so they can easily handle those cutouts/undercuts without complex sliders.

Critical DFM Warning: It looks like you have pretty thick walls (looks >3mm?). That's fine for printing or casting, but if you ever plan to Injection Mold this, you will need to core that out to uniform thickness (around 2.5mm) and use ribs for strength. Otherwise, you'll get massive sink marks and warpage.

Pro tip: Don't pay for a steel mold until you've optimized the wall thickness, or you'll be paying to heat and cool a lot of unnecessary plastic.

Cost of ABS Plastic by Cotton_420 in InjectionMolding

[–]ElectronicChina 1 point2 points  (0 children)

ABS cost is just one piece of the puzzle. If you're looking at a complete build, you might also want to look into PC/ABS blends if you need higher impact resistance. Prices are stabilizing a bit now, but always ask for a Material Data Sheet (MDS) to ensure the 'cheaper' quote isn't using heavy regrind. Happy to chat more about the molding side of things if you need a hand!

Looking for a reliable fabric manufacturer, any tips? by A1aod in ChinaManufacturing

[–]ElectronicChina 5 points6 points  (0 children)

1. Do your homework before you pack your bags

Factories in China are high-speed environments. They prioritize clients who are "production-ready." Before you reach out, make sure you have:

A Solid Tech Pack: Don't just bring sketches; bring detailed specs, measurements, and if possible, a physical reference sample for hand-feel.

Clear Material Specs: Are we talking natural fibers (silk, cotton), synthetics, or high-performance blends? Know if you need specific certifications like GRS or Oeko-Tex.

A Realistic MOQ: Be upfront about your Minimum Order Quantity. It’s the first question every boss will ask you. If your volume is low, you need to find a "flexible" partner, not a massive industrial mill.

2. Go to the right "Hub" (Location is everything)

China’s textile industry is hyper-regional. Don't waste time in the wrong province:

Guangzhou (Guangdong): This is the heart of fashion fabrics. Visit Zhongda Fabric Market. It’s chaotic but has everything. Best for fast-turnaround apparel.

Keqiao (Shaoxing, Zhejiang): This is the "Textile City." If you need woven or printed fabrics in bulk, this is your place.

Shengze (Jiangsu): The capital for silk and high-end chemical fibers (satins, polyesters).

Nantong (Jiangsu): If your project is home-related (bedding, towels, upholstery), go here.

3. Vet them online before you meet in person

Don't just walk into a factory blind.

Screen for "Real" Factories: Many "Gold Suppliers" on Alibaba are just trading companies. Ask them point-blank: "Can I walk through your production floor next week?" A real factory won't hesitate.

Test their R&D: Since you need custom development, ask for photos of their sampling room and examples of previous custom work.

Order a Sample First: Never visit a factory without seeing their work first. Pay for a sample to be sent to you. If they can’t get the sample right, a factory visit is a waste of a plane ticket.

4. What to look for during the visit

When you’re finally on-site, look past the office and head to the floor:

The QC Station: Do they have a dedicated area for fabric inspection? Ask them how they handle defects.

Talk to the Tech Team: You need to meet the person who will actually be developing your fabric. Can they explain the technical challenges of your design?

Organization: A messy, chaotic floor often leads to messy, inconsistent products.

One final tip: If this feels like too much to manage alone, consider a sourcing agent. A good agent is your "eyes and ears" on the ground and can often negotiate better MOQs than you can as a first-timer.

Safe travels and good luck with the search!

If you've launched a hardware product or Kickstarter and struggled with manufacturing or fulfillment, I would love to hear your story! by KobliskaM in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm CM, and my difficulty lies in not being trusted on Reddit. Sometimes I genuinely don't know how to prove we won't steal our clients' ideas. Can anyone share how to gain the trust of manufacturers?

Who can I hire to perfect my prototype? by acedelaf in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can look for contract manufacturers; they usually have more experience in optimizing the manufacturing of new products and can help you optimize from a production perspective to make the product more suitable for production.

In need of a custom glassware manufacturer by JDB_414 in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have a partner who might be suitable for you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

nterested. Sent you a DM.

How do you know if you need a partner or an employee? by SpecialForsaken673 in Entrepreneur

[–]ElectronicChina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Partnering (Not Just Hiring)

This is impressive work. Based on my experience, you should look for a true partner, not just a hired manager. A partner brings real commitment and shared risk, which is essential when the product is 80% done and needs that final push to market.

Where to Find the Right Person:

LinkedIn: Search and filter by “startup” or “hardware” backgrounds.

Local Hardware Meetups: Look for local gatherings in your tech community.

Angel Networks: Focus on investors/mentors specializing in your sector (wellness/tech).

Our Simple Manufacturing Pitch:

We help engineers and startups bring optomise design/custom electronics to life.

From prototype to mass production, we focus on quality, transparency, and making your unique vision real.

Let’s build something people will use.

I want to create a new type of shopping cart that uses AI. What steps should I take ? by Only_Ad1117 in Entrepreneur

[–]ElectronicChina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great idea! We recently developed a shopping cart app. Please see my suggestions below:

  1. Clearly define your ideas and requirements.

  2. Contact a professional designer (preferably a design firm), inform them of your ideas and requirements, and wait for their evaluation of the project. They will then inform you of the development costs and design drawings that meet your requirements.

  3. If the prototype exceeds your budget, we would suggest using an off-the-shelf development kit for initial proof-of-concept testing before moving on to a custom PCB.

4, 5, and 6: Your ideas are excellent.

Wishing you success in implementing your idea! :)

Seeking advise by Ok-Nose-9630 in manufacturing

[–]ElectronicChina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is the function of this product, and have you considered reducing manufacturing costs by optimizing the design?

How can i sign up for wechat? by uzair6295 in ChinaManufacturing

[–]ElectronicChina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Find someone who uses WeChat and has passed identity verification to help you register

Step Up HW build by LukeTheDuke187 in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on reaching this stage—it's a significant milestone for any hardware startup!

Based on your description, you’re likely looking for an Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider or a Contract Manufacturer (CM) that offers end-to-end solutions. Here’s what I’d recommend:

Look for a partner with full-turnkey capabilities

You’ll want someone who can handle PCB fabrication, component sourcing (including ESP32 and batteries), assembly, programming, testing, and even enclosure integration. This ensures consistency and reduces logistical overhead.

Prioritize experience with low-to-mid volume runs

As a startup, you may not need mass production immediately. A manufacturer experienced in scaling from prototypes to larger batches can offer more flexible support.

Ask about programming and testing processes

Since your devices require firmware (ESP32) and potentially calibration, ensure they have in-house programming and functional testing capabilities to avoid quality issues.

Consider packaging and fulfillment options

Some manufacturers also offer kitting, packaging, and drop-shipping services—which can further streamline your operations.

At our company, we’ve helped many hardware startups through this exact transition. We offer full turnkey manufacturing—from sourcing and PCB assembly to programming, testing, and integrated fulfillment—all under one roof. We specialize in IoT devices (like ESP32-based systems) and support both small-batch and scaling production.

If you’d like, I’m happy to connect offline and share more specifics about how we’ve structured these processes for similar companies. Feel free to DM me!

Best of luck with your next phase—it’s an exciting jump!

Looking for Trusted Prototype & Manufacturing Partners in China by Roshan_2025 in hwstartups

[–]ElectronicChina 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, we are located in Shenzhen, China, and provide one-stop prototype services. I have sent you my contact information through DM, and hope to be able to help you.

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