The development process
- RequirementsWhat it must do
- ArchitectureBlocks, parts, power
- PCB designSchematic & layout
- PrototypeBuilt and tested
- FirmwareWritten and flashed
- ProductionSmall batches
1. Requirements
We start with the job the product has to do, where it will be used, how it is powered, how many you expect to make and the cost you need to hit.
2. Electronics architecture
The requirements become a block diagram: microcontroller, sensors, radios, power and interfaces, with key parts chosen for availability.
3. PCB design
Schematic and layout, reviewed for manufacture. See PCB design services.
4. Prototype
Boards are fabricated and assembled in our workshop, then tested on the bench. Enclosure parts are 3D printed for fit.
5. Iterate
Findings from testing feed the next revision. Most products go through more than one.
6. Small-batch production
Once the design is stable it moves to manufacturing, on the same line.
Firmware and embedded electronics
Most of our products are built on ESP32 and ESP32-S3 microcontrollers: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, plenty of I/O, and enough memory for local processing, displays and web interfaces served from the device. We write the firmware, flash it in-house and test it on the assembled hardware, so you receive a working device rather than a board and a separate software project.
Want to start on a development board? The ESP32-S3 and ESP32-WROVER boards in our shop use the same platform.
What you receive
- Design files: schematic, PCB layout, Gerbers, BOM and pick-and-place data.
- Firmware for the device.
- Enclosure parts made for the board.
- Assembled, flashed units — as prototypes, then in batches.
How to start
Send a short description through the enquiry form: what the device should do, where it will be used, the quantity you expect and any timeline. Sketches, reference products and existing code all help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the process for developing a custom electronic product?
CktHub starts from your requirements, defines the electronics architecture, designs the PCB, builds and tests a prototype, writes and flashes firmware, iterates, and then moves to small-batch production.
Which microcontrollers do you develop on?
Most CktHub products use ESP32 and ESP32-S3 microcontrollers, which provide Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE and enough memory for local processing.
Do you write firmware as well as design hardware?
Yes. Firmware is written, flashed and tested in-house on the assembled hardware.
Can you also make the enclosure?
Yes. Enclosure parts can be 3D printed for prototypes and CNC machined or 3D printed for production, then laser marked.