# Ep. 28 - Design Decisions

- Show: [Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast)
- Published: 2024-09-12
- Length: 1h 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions
- Listen: https://opulo.io

## Summary

Steven Hawes and Lucian Shapar of Opulo discuss the design decisions behind the LumenPnP V4, a pick-and-place machine that prioritizes reliability and accuracy over raw speed. The hosts explain how community feedback drove key changes, including independent drag chains, a new motherboard with integrated drivers, and a dedicated control box to improve assembly and reduce noise. They also detail the rigorous process of selecting camera vendors, opting for a smaller partner to secure custom optics and better support without raising the machine's price.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=0) Introduction: LumenPnP V4 Launch and Design Philosophy
- [2:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=173) Open Development vs. Sales: Managing Community Expectations
- [6:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=408) Core Tenets: Reliability, Accuracy, and Community Mods
- [10:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=639) Mechanical Upgrades: Speed, Drivers, and Drag Chains
- [18:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=1098) Cable Management: Silicone Sheathing and PH Connectors
- [24:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=1494) Returning to Limit Switches for Reliability
- [31:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=1897) Camera Sourcing: Custom Optics and Vendor Relationships
- [41:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=2507) Motherboard Redesign: Integrated Drivers and Power Electronics
- [52:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=3178) The Control Box: Enclosure, Noise Reduction, and Assembly
- [1:12:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions#t=4357) Conclusion: Future Software and Ecosystem Goals

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- LumenPnP V4 (product)
- Opulo (company)
- JST (other)
- Marlin (other)
- Voron (other)
- Bambu Lab (company)
- MakerBot (company)
- STM (company)
- Logitech (company)
- Leash (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [A Benchtop Pick and Place with Stephen Hawes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-01-21-a-benchtop-pick-and-place-with-stephen-hawes) (The Amp Hour)
- [88: Science Is a Lot Like Quilting](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-12-88-science-is-a-lot-like-quilting) (Embedded.fm)
- [Picking a Pick and Place Pickiness](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-11-21-picking-a-pick-and-place-pickiness) (The Amp Hour)
- [Merry Keyzermas!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-12-25-merry-keyzermas) (The Amp Hour)
- [S1 E3: Navigating the Full Product Development Lifecycle with Bridget Hunter-Jones](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2023-05-15-s1-e3-navigating-the-full-product-development-lifecycle-with-bridget-hunter-jone) (The Builder Circle)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-09-12-ep-28-design-decisions. 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 Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast.