# 92: Everybody Behave, Please

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2015-03-11
- Length: 1h 08m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/embedded-ep92mp3

## Summary

James Lane Neal, founder of Osh Park, explains how he transformed a local DorkbotPDX community effort into a scalable PCB manufacturing business by panelizing orders from diverse users to reduce costs. He details the technical challenges of his panelization algorithm, specifically the shift from simple space-filling to managing copper coverage balance to prevent etching defects, and discusses the importance of open-source tools like KiCad. Neal also reflects on the operational hurdles of hiring, bootstrapping, and providing fanatical customer service to compete with large manufacturers.

## Chapters

- [0:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=37) Introduction: James Lane Neal and Osh Park's Community Model
- [3:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=190) From DorkbotPDX to Osh Park: Solving the Manufacturing Gap
- [5:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=351) Panelization Software: From Tetris to Weighted Bin Packing
- [7:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=451) Open Source Hardware Philosophy and Tooling (KiCad vs. Altium)
- [16:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=969) Business Model: Makers vs. Enterprises and Assembly Services
- [23:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=1398) Scaling Challenges: Hiring, Legal Barriers, and Founder Burnout
- [28:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=1705) The Purple PCB: Branding, Aesthetics, and Manufacturing Physics
- [43:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=2580) Early Failures: Perfboard Drilling and Copper Balance Issues
- [50:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=3034) Customer Service, Catastrophes, and Market Seasonality
- [1:01:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please#t=3661) Maker Community Engagement and the Bring a Hack Dinner

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Osh Park (company)
- DorkbotPDX (other)
- KiCad (tool)
- Altium (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- Arduino (product)
- Teensy (product)
- CERN (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [An Interview with Laen - Purple PCB Philosophy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-06-12-an-interview-with-laen-purple-pcb-philosophy) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Jonathan Hirschman of PCB:NG](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-05-20-an-interview-with-jonathan-hirschman-of-pcb-ng) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Brent of OSHstencils](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-10-21-an-interview-with-brent-of-oshstencils) (The Amp Hour)
- [I've bitten myself](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-05-21-ive-bitten-myself) (The Amp Hour)
- [Bob Widlar, Electronic Design, FIRST Robotics - Monday, Meta Monday](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-03-08-bob-widlar-electronic-design-first-robotics-monday-meta-monday) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.