# An interview with Macrofab - Macro Manufacturing Mechanization

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2015-04-02
- Length: 1h 34m
- Episode: 243
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/243-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization/

## Summary

Chris Church and Parker Doman of MacroFab discuss their software-enabled contract manufacturing model in Houston, Texas, designed for agile, low-quantity production. They explain how their platform allows customers to upload Gerber and BOM files to receive instant quotes, with pricing that scales transparently from single units to small batches, often undercutting traditional EMS providers. The founders detail their operational strategy, including refurbishing mid-90s pick-and-place equipment, maintaining a 'house parts' inventory of common passives to reduce costs, and handling fulfillment and testing for Kickstarter campaigns. They emphasize that their software-driven approach eliminates upfront engineering setup fees by letting users validate part placement online, making it viable to produce one-off boards profitably.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=0) Introduction: MacroFab's Agile Manufacturing Model
- [1:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=80) In-House Assembly and Houston Operations
- [8:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=502) Software-Enabled User Interface and Part Validation
- [14:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=866) Founding Story and Funding Strategy
- [22:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=1368) Pricing, House Parts, and Inventory Management
- [29:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=1790) Equipment, Throughput, and Manual Assembly
- [38:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=2332) Supply Chain, Distributors, and Lock Control
- [47:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=2859) Customer Support and Design for Manufacturing
- [59:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=3554) Solder Paste, Reflow Profiles, and Testing
- [1:13:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-04-02-an-interview-with-macrofab-macro-manufacturing-mechanization#t=4410) Fulfillment, Enclosures, and Future Plans

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MacroFab (company)
- Osh Park (company)
- Mouser (company)
- DigiKey (company)
- CircuitHub (company)
- SnapEDA (company)
- Eagle (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- DipTrace (tool)
- Propeller (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [123: Banished from Running Linux](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-28-123-banished-from-running-linux) (Embedded.fm)
- [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)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL 2022 Season Episode #1 with Altium and MacroFab](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2022-02-20-ems-c-level-2022-season-episode-1-with-altium-and-macrofab) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [92: Everybody Behave, Please](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please) (Embedded.fm)
- [#037 - Disrupting with digital manufacturing, with Nick Pinkston of Plethora, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-09-13-037-disrupting-with-digital-manufacturing-with-nick-pinkston-of-plethora-usa) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)

## Citing this page

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