♻️ How to iterate quickly on hardware

Today, we mostly think of iterating quickly on software, but it is becoming increasingly possible to also do this with hardware. A few ideas:

• Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are now relatively cheap and quick to manufacture in low quantities from companies like JLCPCB (you can have a new PCB in less than a week at a very reasonable cost).
• Companies like JLCPCB and Macrofab offer prototype assembly services.
• It is practical to assemble your own prototype PCBs quickly.
• You can now do more CI/CD type things with PCB design tools. KiCad has a powerful DRC rules engine and the ability to script a lot of operations (including generating outputs) from the command line. Run ERC/DRC in CI and generate outputs in CD. This allows you to make and deploy changes with a high level of confidence.
• Verified parts libraries allow you to easily reuse electrical components in new designs.
• Spice simulation tools allow you to verify designs before building a PCB -- again, you can have a higher confidence that things will work.
• 3D printing in production allows you to make mechanical improvements without expensive tooling changes.
• Intelligent part numbering schemes and PLM tools allow you to efficiently and reliably manage changes.
• Use OSS tools like KiCad where possible so anyone can make changes.
• Use Git workflows.

The above is YOUR Platform. Here's the thing -- the more complex and the higher value your product is, the more important it is to be able to iterate quickly and confidently on both hardware and software. As an example, Tesla updates the software in their cars frequently and continuously makes mechanical improvements (sometimes as many as 120-160 changes per week). If Tesla can do it with cars, you can probably do it with your low-volume industrial product.