# Tales from Manufacturing: Shipping Rack 1

- Show: [Oxide and Friends](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends)
- Published: 2023-07-11
- Length: 1h 24m
- Episode: 20
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d4da0196

## Summary

Kate Hicks, Kirstin Neira, CJ Mendez, and Eric Austin of Oxide Computer Company discuss the logistics of assembling, packaging, and shipping the first Oxide Rack. They detail the engineering challenges of crate design, including shock and vibration testing, and the resolution of component issues like warped sidecar heat sinks and mistuffed shark fin PCBs through close collaboration with contract manufacturer Benchmark Electronics. The team emphasizes the importance of on-site presence, custom manufacturing software, and building strong supplier relationships to navigate the complexities of new product introduction and early-stage scaling.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1#t=0) Introduction: The physical world and the importance of logistics
- [5:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1#t=305) Crate design and packaging engineering with vendors
- [16:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1#t=970) On-site operations and the relationship with Benchmark Electronics
- [30:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1#t=1825) Resolving component issues: Warped heat sinks and mistuffed parts
- [45:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1#t=2709) Packaging testing: Crate durability and individual gimlet drop tests
- [54:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1#t=3243) Debugging the manufacturing line and programming stations
- [1:08:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1#t=4135) Lessons learned, schedule slips, and team culture

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Oxide Computer Company (company)
- Benchmark Electronics (company)
- Larson Packaging (company)
- CECO (company)
- Hatton's (company)
- Tofino 2 (chip)
- Shark Fin (product)
- Gimlet (product)
- Sidecar (product)
- Oxide Rack (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [72: All Roads Lead to a Heat Sealed Pouch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2021-09-22-72-all-roads-lead-to-a-heat-sealed-pouch) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Episode 065: A mallard is a tool you use when you do chisel work](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-04-01-episode-065-a-mallard-is-a-tool-you-use-when-you-do-chisel-work) (Making It)
- [Hardware Startup Horror Stories and How to Avoid Them with Dave Millman of BizDev.Global](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-23-hardware-startup-horror-stories-and-how-to-avoid-them-with-dave-millman-of-bizde) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Space Bound, Again - Xtreme Xtraplanetary Xenonosocomiophobia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-12-11-space-bound-again-xtreme-xtraplanetary-xenonosocomiophobia) (The Amp Hour)
- [57: Mashed in the Gears](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2020-02-19-57-mashed-in-the-gears) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-07-11-tales-from-manufacturing-shipping-rack-1. 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 Oxide and Friends.