Omnitone Inc
https://omnitone.ca/Overview
I am the co-founder of Omnitone Inc, a company that designs, manufactures and sells Eurorack synthesizer modules. This means that I have direct experience with the entire product developemnt cycle. Everything from product conceptualization, design, manufacturing and sourcing, programing, assembly, testing, QC, shipping and marketing.
Challenges & Solutions
The biggest challenge I faced while designing these modules was the integration of the RGB lighting that needed to be functional and beautiful. To get an aesthetically pleasing diffusion of light, I worked with our supplier to source a specific type of FR4 for our front panels that has as few blemishes as possible, and without a tint. In the case where distinction between the individual LED pixels was needed (for a functional purpose), a custom light shroud was designed and manufactured (3D printed) to prevent light bleed between the pixels. Special care had to be taken in the design of this light shroud to ensure reliability and manufacturability. The shroud is designed to clip onto existing through hole compnents suck as audio jack, which stay cooler than the PCB, in order to minimize plastic creep. The use of standoffs and screws was also avoided to minimize assembly time and cost. The shroud is designed to be manufacturable with a 3D printer, but can also be injection molded if needed.
Results & Outcomes
Over 1100 units sold, 4.9/5 star ratings on retail platforms (Perfect Circuit).
Learnings
Running this company (with my parter Liz) has taught me the difference between completing a home project, and designing and shipping a product from scratch that succeeds in the market. At home, small details can be overlooked, timelines can slip, and the end user is forgiving. Shipping a product to the public is vastly different, as production costs, scalability, and reliability now become priority in the design. Since Omnitone was our only source of income while starting it, and we self-funded the company, deadlines, and the consequences for missing them were very real.