# 350: The State of the Empire Is Good

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-11-06
- Length: 59m
- Episode: 350
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good

## Summary

Ben Hencke, founder of ElectroMage, discusses the evolution of his Pixelblaze LED controller business from hand-soldered hobbyist projects to a scaled operation using a desktop pick-and-place machine. He details the technical transition from the ESP8266 to the ESP32 microcontroller for the upcoming Pixelblaze V3, highlighting the challenges of multi-core firmware development and race conditions. Hencke also explains his decision to launch V3 via CrowdSupply for its rigorous vetting and fulfillment support, and shares practical advice on solder paste selection and safety.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good#t=1) Introduction and Pixelblaze Overview
- [11:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good#t=671) Scaling Production with Desktop Pick-and-Place
- [15:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good#t=916) Pixelblaze V3 Hardware and ESP32 Migration
- [28:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good#t=1726) CrowdSupply Campaign and Fulfillment
- [38:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good#t=2295) Business Operations and Soldering Advice
- [48:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-11-06-350-the-state-of-the-empire-is-good#t=2891) Capacitive Touch Projects and Learning

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Pixelblaze (product)
- ElectroMage (company)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- ESP32 (chip)
- Tindie (company)
- CrowdSupply (company)
- LOCTITE GC 10 (material)
- Henkel Adhesives (company)
- Sparkfun (company)
- FreeRTOS (tool)

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- [Ep 357: BreezyBox, Antique Tech, and Defusing Killer Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-13-ep-357-breezybox-antique-tech-and-defusing-killer-robots) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [An Interview with Marcus Schappi - Kit Ketch Kenophobia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-03-19-an-interview-with-marcus-schappi-kit-ketch-kenophobia) (The Amp Hour)
- [Stick 'Em On Whales](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-12-28-stick-em-on-whales) (The Amp Hour)
- [Secret Squirrel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-02-secret-squirrel) (The Amp Hour)
- [069 - Canned Cheese and Onion Rings](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2024-04-17-069-canned-cheese-and-onion-rings) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

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