# 309: Nature's Engineers

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2019-11-08
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 309
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/309-natures-engineers

## Summary

Pete Staples, CEO and co-founder of Blue Clover Devices, explains how his company bridges the gap between hardware development and manufacturing through standardized testing tools. He details the Production Line Tool (PLT) and the ICT 100A fixture, which allow developers to run the same firmware programming and electrical tests in the office as on the factory floor, reducing handoff ambiguities. Staples also discusses the strategic decision to productize these tools to compete with giants like SEGGER and National Instruments, while addressing security concerns in their PLT Cloud system and the impact of tariffs on manufacturing flexibility.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=6) Introduction: Pete Staples and Blue Clover Devices
- [1:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=105) Lightning Round: Flux, Layers, and Transformers
- [3:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=234) The Production Line Tool (PLT) and Handoff Challenges
- [11:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=661) ICT 100A Fixture and Pogo Pin Cassettes
- [16:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=964) PLT Cloud, Remote Configuration, and Security
- [21:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=1274) Flying Probe Testers vs. Bed of Nails
- [24:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=1441) IoT Complexity and RF Testing Noise
- [31:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=1873) Market Reception and Sales Strategy
- [40:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=2431) Version Control and Design for Test
- [46:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-11-08-309-natures-engineers#t=2764) From Boeing to CEO: Company History and Tariffs

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Blue Clover Devices (company)
- PLT (product)
- ICT 100A (product)
- SEGGER (company)
- National Instruments (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Volkswagen (company)
- Boeing (company)
- PLT Cloud (product)
- InterWorking Labs (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Standardizing Manufacturing with Pete Staples](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2021-06-02-standardizing-manufacturing-with-pete-staples) (The Amp Hour)
- [Factory Firmware Flashing with Pete Staples](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2026-06-09-factory-firmware-flashing-with-pete-staples) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [#067 - How to speed up your New Product Introduction - Production Line Tool, with Pete Staples of Blue Clover Devices, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2019-02-13-067-how-to-speed-up-your-new-product-introduction-production-line-tool-with-pete) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [Return of the Trade Show Jedi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-04-11-return-of-the-trade-show-jedi) (The Amp Hour)
- [Manufacturing By Wire And Skipping Testing - Calefacient Cuculine Cash](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-01-29-manufacturing-by-wire-and-skipping-testing-calefacient-cuculine-cash) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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