# Emolumental Evaluation Emporetics

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2012-03-12
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 86
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-86-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics/

## Summary

Hosts Dave Jones and Chris Gamel discuss the complexities of dealing with electronic component distributors, highlighting how sales incentives and volume commitments often override technical merit in chip selection. They detail the troubleshooting process for a MakerBot 3D printer, specifically focusing on belt tension and stepper motor skipping that caused layer offset errors. The conversation also covers emerging technologies, including printed electronics, IBM's terabit optical chips, and Analog Devices' ADM1266 power monitor, while reflecting on the evolving relationship between hobbyists and large manufacturers.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics#t=1) Introduction and Survey Feedback
- [10:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics#t=609) SKA Radio Telescope Bid Politics
- [22:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics#t=1345) Distributor Dynamics and Future Electronics
- [36:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics#t=2169) IBM Optical Chips and Module Integration
- [45:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics#t=2732) Printed Electronics and MakerBot Troubleshooting
- [56:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics#t=3395) KiCad Learning Curve and Tape-Out History
- [1:05:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics#t=3932) Chip of the Week: ADM1266

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- MakerBot (product)
- IBM (company)
- Analog Devices (company)
- ADM1266 (chip)
- KiCad (tool)
- Future Electronics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [444: It Is If You Do It Wrong](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-03-03-444-it-is-if-you-do-it-wrong) (Embedded.fm)
- [322: Learn Assembly Code](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-28-322-learn-assembly-code) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode 100: Live From Boston!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-12-09-episode-100-live-from-boston) (Making It)
- [Chris Denney | PCB Design, Fabrication, & Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-16-chris-denney-pcb-design-fabrication-manufacturing) (Being an Engineer)
- [Scaling Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2025-09-19-scaling-manufacturing) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-03-12-emolumental-evaluation-emporetics. 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 The Amp Hour.