# Develop and sell a specific product **URL:** \ **Category:** New Product Ideas\ **Created:** [December 21, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/develop-and-sell-a-specific-product/6003 "2007-12-21T13:43:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4af34b/32.png) [@fma](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/fma)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/develop-and-sell-a-specific-product/6003/1 "2007-12-21T13:43:46Z")
Hello there, I’m working on an open-source project which consists in driving an astronomic head in order to make a photo panoramic head. This head (The Merlin/Orion teletrack) as an external remote talking to the internal electronic using a serial protocol. It is mainly like RS232, but with 5V open collectors. So, I made a little interface based on a MAX232 and a few transistors to connect the head to my computer. I also developped a specific software to drive the head. This software is planed to run on a PDE. As some non-electronician people (mainly photographers) are interested in this interface (and the software), I need to find a solution to sell them a ready-to-go circuit (within a little box). I already made a prototype which works fine, with a PCB designed under Eagle. My first though was to order the PCB at Olimex, and then buy components and solder them. But I don’t have enought time to build 10, 20 or 50 pieces. So, I’m looking for a low cost industrial solution. Is SFE/Olimex able to do that? I have to add that this project is developped with the help of Kolor, a french company developping Autopano Pro, one of the best automated picture stitching program. They are OK to buy several pieces, and resell them, if needed. Tanks, PS : here is a link to the wiki where I put all informations (in french only at the moment, but an english version will come): [http://www.autopano.fr/wiki/action/view … ons\_Merlin](http://www.autopano.fr/wiki/action/view/T%C3%AAte_astronomique_Multi-fonctions_Merlin) ---
**Author:** ![NleahciM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/dc4da7/32.png) [@NleahciM](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/NleahciM)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/develop-and-sell-a-specific-product/6003/2 "2007-12-24T20:40:54Z")
How many are you looking to make? Either way, I would recommend designing your PCB so that it uses all surface mount components. Then, get a solder paste stencil for it, and you can use one of many techniques to mass produce the boards. I would suggest getting the PCBs made at a Chinese place like Gold Phoenix if you want them cheap. There are of course many services that will solder your boards for you - even Gold Phoenix will do it for you. But unless you’re producing tons of these things, it really is not difficult to mass assemble surface mount PCBs. ---
**Author:** ![fma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4af34b/32.png) [@fma](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/fma)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2007, 12:15am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/develop-and-sell-a-specific-product/6003/3 "2007-12-25T00:15:02Z")
Ok, thanks for the tip. And I wish you a Merry Christmas! ---
**Author:** ![n6mod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aeb1de/32.png) [@n6mod](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/n6mod)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/develop-and-sell-a-specific-product/6003/4 "2008-08-25T18:33:54Z")
I’m just going down the road of getting this running, and while fma has a solution that uses a bluetooth serial adapter and a level shifter board, I’m wondering if a BlueSMiRF could be connected directly? (If you’re wondering why Bluetooth, the best software to control this device is [[papywizard](http://trac.gbiloba.org/papywizard) on the Nokia 770/N800.) The Orion/Merlin mount uses ‘one-wire’ serial, so using a conventional TTL serial interface, you tie TD and RD to the ‘one-wire’ with 220ohm resistors. Will the BlueSMiRF tolerate this? If so, then it’s adding two resistors and a cable to a BlueSMiRF, unless I’m missing something. -Zandr]([http://trac.gbiloba.org/papywizard](http://trac.gbiloba.org/papywizard)) ---
**Author:** ![fma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4af34b/32.png) [@fma](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/fma)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/develop-and-sell-a-specific-product/6003/5 "2008-08-26T13:11:33Z")
Using such module for the Merlin/Orion project could be great. I hope the use of 2 resistors to mix RD/WR signals will work… As the head outputs 9-12V (depending of the batteries used), is there a simple solution to power up the module, or do one need to use a regulator? ---
**Author:** ![n6mod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/aeb1de/32.png) [@n6mod](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/n6mod)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/develop-and-sell-a-specific-product/6003/6 "2008-08-26T17:33:13Z")
> fma: > As the head outputs 9-12V (depending of the batteries used), is there a simple solution to power up the module, or do one need to use a regulator? It’s too bad the BlueSMiRF v1 isn’t available any more, it could tolerate a 10V supply. I still have a couple of those here, but if we’re doing development work we should work with the current product. As such, I just ordered a BlueSMiRF Silver and one of the little [[LM 317 boards](http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=114) and will try to get that put together. I should have some time to tinker with it the weekend of the 6th/7th. ]([http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product\_info.php?products\_id=114](http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=114))