PCBWay

Summary

PCBWay is a comprehensive manufacturing and fabrication service that provides PCB production, machining, and 3D printing services. The company serves as a recurring sponsor across multiple episodes of Sean Hodgins' channel, while also functioning as the actual manufacturer for several of his projects. Sean Hodgins emphasizes that he had been using their services long before they became a sponsor of his channel, highlighting the authentic relationship.

The company offers creators a convenient one-click workflow directly from Keycad for uploading and ordering PCBs, as well as the ability to share project files through PCBWay profiles, allowing viewers to order the exact same components from shared projects. PCBWay has demonstrated capability to handle both simple and complex fabrication demands, from intricate multi-panel circuit board designs with thousands of components to basic custom PCB orders.

Details

Sean Hodgins provides specific insight into what makes PCBWay valuable for makers and electronics projects. The primary convenience he highlights is their integration with design software:

"If you're doing PCBs, they've got a workflow that's basically a click of a button straight out of Keycad, which is incredibly convenient."

This streamlined workflow eliminates the traditional friction of exporting design files, navigating manufacturer websites, and manually uploading specifications—a process that can be time-consuming and error-prone for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Beyond convenience, Sean Hodgins emphasizes the practical importance of their reliability:

"Being able to get the parts made quickly and reliably matters."

This reliability factor becomes particularly significant in projects with time constraints, where predictable turnaround time enables project completion despite compressed timelines.

PCBWay also provides a project-sharing feature that Sean Hodgins has utilized for his builds:

"You can even order this exact project directly from my PCB way profile."

This feature allows viewers to bypass the entire design and specification process, ordering pre-configured PCBs identical to those used in video projects.

Sean Hodgins' endorsement carries additional weight due to his pre-existing relationship with the service:

"Let's take a quick break to say thanks to today's sponsor, PCBway. They're actually the perfect first sponsor for this channel because I've been using them long before this video existed."

This statement establishes that the sponsorship represents a formalization of an already-existing preference rather than a purely commercial arrangement, lending authenticity to the recommendation.

The company's standard practice of providing extra boards—giving customers four additional copies when they order one—has proven valuable in tutorial contexts. Sean has described their ordering process as remarkably simple: "It is as simple as uploading your file, selecting a couple options like materials and quantity, and hitting order. And then they just show up at your door, ready to go."

History

I Built A Tiny Model Train and it Nearly Broke My Brain

PCBWay is introduced as both the episode sponsor and the manufacturer of the custom PCBs required for the miniature train project. Sean Hodgins leverages their services to create the specialized circuit boards that form the track system for his Shaunville Model Train Set. The company's integration with Keycad allows him to streamline the design-to-manufacturing workflow, which proves essential given his compressed timeline.

The episode demonstrates PCBWay's practical application in a complex, multi-component project that requires precise electrical specifications. The PCBs manufactured by PCBWay serve as both functional electrical components and structural elements of the train track design. Sean Hodgins makes the complete project files available through his PCBWay profile, including the Seanville Tiny Model Train Christmas Ornament Controller, enabling viewers to order the exact components used in the build without needing to recreate the design files themselves.

This episode marks PCBWay's first sponsorship of Sean Hodgins' channel, though he notes the relationship predates the formal sponsorship arrangement, having used their services for previous projects before they became a sponsor. Sean thanks PCBWay for their sponsorship with the statement: "A special thanks to PCBWay for sponsoring this video - go get some parts made!"

I Built the Craziest LED Mask

PCBWay manufactured the custom circuit boards that form the foundation of the LED mask project. The company handled the fabrication of the multi-panel PCB design containing 2,960 individual LEDs for the Black Rabbit LED Mask Project, along with all the necessary routing and connections required for such a dense LED array. The project's technical demands required a manufacturer capable of handling both the structural and electronic aspects of a wearable device made entirely from circuit boards.

Sean mentioned reflowing "$500 worth of Parts" that he had ordered from PCBWay, creating an interesting contrast by assembling these professionally manufactured boards in a "$20 toaster oven."

Sean Hodgins presented PCBWay in the episode description with the call-to-action:

"Get your custom 3D prints, machining, and PCBs from https://www.pcbway.com"

The mention emphasized PCBWay's versatility in offering multiple fabrication services beyond just PCB manufacturing, including 3D printing and machining capabilities.

This 3D Printed Marble Machine Fits in your Hand

PCBWay appears as a recommended manufacturing partner for viewers interested in creating their own projects. Sean Hodgins presents the service in the episode description as a resource for "custom 3D prints, machining, and PCBs," positioning it as a complement to the DIY marble machine project featured in the video. While the episode focuses on a marble machine that can be completely 3D printed at home, the PCBWay mention acknowledges that some makers may want or need professional-grade manufacturing services beyond their home capabilities.

Step 1: Buy a CNC Machine

PCBWay is presented as a sponsor offering comprehensive manufacturing services to the channel's audience. The company is positioned as a practical alternative for viewers who need professional manufacturing capabilities but may not have access to their own equipment. The episode specifically highlights three core service offerings: custom 3D printing, CNC machining, and PCB production, with viewers directed to access these services at https://www.pcbway.com.

The sponsorship placement is particularly relevant given the episode's focus on Sean Hodgins acquiring his own CNC machine. PCBWay's machining services are presented as a turnkey solution for those who need custom parts manufactured without the investment in equipment that the episode discusses.

GPS Has a Secret Job

PCBWay manufactured the circuit boards for Sean Hodgins' PPS Watch Project featured in this episode, where Sean used them to teach Jeff Geerling surface mount soldering techniques. The company's standard practice of providing extra boards—giving customers four additional copies when they order one—proved particularly valuable during the tutorial, as Sean used the spare boards to demonstrate the solder paste stenciling process to Jeff, who was soldering his first surface mount circuit board.

Sean positioned PCBWay as a time-saving solution that enables his creative work, stating that "even though I have my own machines, they save me the one thing that I can't make, and that's time." The sponsorship arrangement was presented as mutually beneficial, with Sean explaining that PCBWay "support creators like me to be able to design and bring open source projects to you guys."

The episode featured a promotional offer allowing customers to use the code "SeanHodgins10" to receive $10 off orders of $30 or more, limited to 100 uses and one per customer. Sean expressed gratitude to the sponsor, stating: "A special thanks to PCBWay for sponsoring this video - go get some parts made!"