Overview
The article discusses the challenges and strategies of building a rack-scale computer with a remote hardware team, emphasizing the importance of custom hardware designs and prototyping tools to enhance productivity. It highlights the balance between remote work and the need for hands-on hardware access, while detailing the company's values and innovative approaches to hardware development.
What You'll Learn
1
How to effectively prototype hardware designs to accelerate product development
2
Why custom hardware is essential for specific circuit modeling
3
How to leverage low-cost PCB manufacturing for rapid iteration
Key Questions Answered
Why is custom hardware necessary instead of off-the-shelf boards?
Custom hardware is necessary because off-the-shelf boards often cannot model specific circuits or subsystems required for the product. The article provides examples like the Dimmlet and K.2 boards, which were created due to the lack of suitable alternatives in the market.
How does the company maintain productivity with a remote hardware team?
The company maintains productivity by developing robust remote access solutions to fully-built and partially built systems at headquarters. They also create custom prototypes that allow for early software development and debugging without needing access to the final hardware.
What are the benefits of developing inexpensive prototypes?
Developing inexpensive prototypes allows for rapid iteration and testing of designs, which can save costs on 'real' board re-spins. This approach enables teams to learn quickly from failures and refine their designs without significant financial risk.
What values guide the hardware development process at Oxide?
Values such as teamwork, thriftiness, humor, rigor, urgency, transparency, and responsibility guide the hardware development process. These values foster a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages creativity and rapid prototyping.
Key Statistics & Figures
Cost of K.2r2 PCBs
<$400 USD
This cost was for 50 PCBs with impedance control, showcasing the affordability of rapid prototyping.
Height of racks
over 2.3 m
7.7'
Technologies & Tools
Software
Kicad
Used for designing the various proto-boards referenced in the article.
Hardware
Lumen Pnp
An open-source pick and place machine used for in-house PCB assembly.
Hardware
Controleo3
A controller used for modified toaster oven reflow processes.
Key Actionable Insights
1Implement a culture of rapid prototyping within your hardware team to enhance productivity.By allowing team members to create and test prototypes quickly, you can address design challenges early and reduce the risk of costly errors in final products.
2Utilize low-cost PCB manufacturing services to iterate on designs without significant financial burden.This approach enables teams to experiment with different configurations and features, leading to better-informed design decisions and improved end products.
3Encourage a collaborative environment where team members can share ideas and iterate on designs without formal approvals.This fosters innovation and allows for quicker responses to design challenges, ultimately improving team efficiency and morale.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to iterate on prototype designs can lead to costly mistakes in final products.
Without the ability to test and refine designs early, teams may overlook critical issues that could require expensive re-spins later in the development process.
Related Concepts
Prototyping In Hardware Development
Custom Hardware Design
Remote Team Collaboration
Low-cost Pcb Manufacturing