# Last Minute Decisions - Obdurate Onepercenter Obstacles

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2014-09-17
- Length: 1h 13m
- Episode: 216
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/216-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss Altium's new Maker PCB package, criticizing its mandatory cloud storage as a potential dealbreaker for engineers who need offline access. Gammell introduces his new component search engine project, parts.io, designed to help engineers find and compare op-amps and other components more effectively. The hosts also analyze a teardown of a Tesla battery pack, discussing the use of 18650 cells, fusing strategies, and current shunts, while noting that former guest Vincent Himpey has joined Tesla as head PCB designer.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles#t=0) Introduction and Cruise Ship Disaster
- [9:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles#t=548) Dave Jones' Lab Move Dilemma
- [26:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles#t=1590) Altium Maker PCB Package Analysis
- [37:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles#t=2224) Chris Gammell's Component Search Engine
- [43:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles#t=2593) Seeed Studio Open Parts Library
- [57:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles#t=3460) Tesla Battery Pack Teardown and Engineering

## Topics

- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Altium (company)
- Maker PCB (product)
- Tesla (company)
- Seeed Studio (company)
- KiCad (tool)
- Eagle (tool)
- LDC1000 (chip)
- 18650 (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [PCB Design Tools for Every Team Size: Altium's New Approach](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-10-22-pcb-design-tools-for-every-team-size-altiums-new-approach) (OnTrack)
- [Altium API Deep Dive: Opening PCB Data to Developers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-07-07-altium-api-deep-dive-opening-pcb-data-to-developers) (OnTrack)
- [Ep047: Prusa Controversy, Bottle Organ Breakdown, PCBs Bending Backwards, and Listen to Your LED](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-12-20-ep047-prusa-controversy-bottle-organ-breakdown-pcbs-bending-backwards-and-listen) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Altium Is Coming Home to the Designer | Lawrence Romine on OnTrack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2026-08-18-altium-is-coming-home-to-the-designer-lawrence-romine-on-ontrack) (OnTrack)
- [Ep 290: iPhone's Electric Glue, Winamp's Source Code, and Sonya's Beautiful Instructions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-09-27-ep-290-iphones-electric-glue-winamps-source-code-and-sonyas-beautiful-instructio) (Hackaday Podcast)

## 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/2014-09-17-last-minute-decisions-obdurate-onepercenter-obstacles. 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.