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Many many years ago I got to hear the founders of Fitbit come in and give a lunchtime chat about their journey. It was utterly fascinating to hear all the challenges, as a software engineer, you never even think to consider. Things like their attempts to optimise the layout of components effectively doubled the production cost because it would require someone to flip the PCB. Or that the adhesive used to temporarily keep the case attached to a tiny spindle during assembly was slightly too tacky, the residue of which would many months later cause stress fractures on the case and a whole raft of warranty replacements.

Hardware is hard.



It is not "hard" after some practice, but you need to be willing to learn.

In general, DFM is a specialized area most EE have zero training in unless they chose to study it as an option.

John Shive's Wave Machines is where every student should start:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DovunOxlY1k

Remember to have fun =3




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