Circuit Builder in Minneapolis

August 5, 2009 5:54 PM

Circuit builder in Minneapolis area?

I would like to find a circuit builder in the Minneapolis area to build some prototype circuitry for me.

Does anyone have a favorite circuit builder in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/Saint Paul) area that they would recommend?

Thanks!

posted by ian1977 to science & nature (3 comments total)

Try asking the Twin Cities Maker forums.
posted by glibhamdreck at 7:36 PM on August 5

Depending on the complexity of your project, you might be looking for an electrical engineer.

Are you looking for components on a breadboard or some PCBs?
posted by lalas at 11:25 AM on August 6

Does it have to be local? I might be able to do it (as might many others) remotely, depending on the scope and requirements.

You ought to check out the local community college or state university and post some kind of blurb on the bulletin board, "I need a ____ built, must be an EE, email [e-mail] if you are interested." Then whatever hits you get, filter out the know-nothings and hire someone who knows what they're doing.

We have a few local electronics stores where I'm from originally, kind of like what Radio Shack used to be - if you have something similar in your area, you might call up the proprietor and ask if he knows anyone (or any companies) who can fabricate Mystery Item.

But can you give us a clue as to what it is? We can certainly give you better advice on where to go or who to hire if we have more information - "Circuit building" covers a pretty broad spectrum. Is it a robot? Motion control interface? Button panel? Talking GPS? Does it involve wireless communications?

There's an off chance it might even exist as a ready-made item, and you can order one from China or something. It might even be an integration project and not a fabrication project, where you buy parts A B and C, and A+B+C = X, your prototype. And if your guy is willing to hire someone to build it, he's probably willing to buy one off the shelf or hire someone to integrate it instead of reinventing the proverbial wheel.
posted by ostranenie at 8:39 PM on August 6