# Doomed To The Flatland

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2020-09-14
- Length: 1h 19m
- Episode: 508
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/508-doomed-to-the-flatland/

## Summary

Chris Gammell, founder of Contextual Electronics, discusses the high costs and logistical complexities of domestic PCB assembly with Screaming Circuits, noting that shipping cellular modems and reeling components can add hundreds of dollars to prototype costs. He and host Dave Jones analyze the technical challenges of telepresence, arguing that current software and hardware limitations make it 'doomed to the flatland' without significant innovation in camera tracking and audio handling. The conversation also covers the practicalities of sourcing components, the limitations of KiCad libraries, and the niche market for manual pick-and-place machines.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland#t=0) Introduction: Chris Gammell and Contextual Electronics
- [3:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland#t=215) Telepresence Technology and the 'Flatland' Problem
- [12:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland#t=726) High-End X-Ray Inspection and Shared Workspace Models
- [30:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland#t=1858) PCB Assembly Costs: Screaming Circuits and Component Logistics
- [47:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland#t=2843) Manual Pick-and-Place Machines and DIY Automation
- [1:04:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland#t=3884) KiCad Library Management and SnapEDA Integration

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Screaming Circuits (company)
- KiCad (tool)
- DigiKey (company)
- Quicktel (company)
- nRF52840 (chip)
- SnapEDA (tool)
- Upverter (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [322: Learn Assembly Code](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-02-28-322-learn-assembly-code) (Embedded.fm)
- [PCB Assembly and Design for Manufacturing with Duane Benson of Screaming Circuits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-03-pcb-assembly-and-design-for-manufacturing-with-duane-benson-of-screaming-circuit) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [140: Physics Is the Same Everywhere](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-02-25-140-physics-is-the-same-everywhere) (Embedded.fm)
- [92: Everybody Behave, Please](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-03-11-92-everybody-behave-please) (Embedded.fm)

## 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/2020-09-14-doomed-to-the-flatland. 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.