Question by a new PCB Designer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: glicos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 03:28:54 pm
content: Recently, i was task to do a reverse engineering design of a multiplexer board used for Burn In Boards (sideline or part time job). Since there's no schematic diagram available, i trace it manually from the board and create my own schematics and PCB. My question now is:My costumer (actually a third party provider also, not direct from client) is asking me to submit to them the design for their checking Initially i submit only the PDF file of the board and not the schematics. And now they are also requesting the schematics. Is it ok to not give the schematic since i painstakingly manually trace it. I'm just afraid they might just forward it to other PCB designer and i make their life so simple..out of it they can create a PCB. I want them to buy the design from me including the gerber file of the design.Need your inputs and suggestion.....

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2017, 04:18:04 pm
content: What did your contract terms say the procedure would be to turn the work over?You did have a contract, right?

author: glicos
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 01:26:24 am
content: Quote from: 8086 on August 29, 2017, 04:18:04 pmI'm afraid we don't have any contract terms..its just a word of mouth since this is only my sideline...

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 05:13:42 am
content: Your question is almost entirely about how you and your customer(s) are doing business with each other. We don't know what your understanding is with your customer(s), so nobody here can tell you what is or isn't ok in this situation. It's already clear that you don't trust this customer, so that would indicate it's time to get something in writing. Verbal contracts are difficult to enforce even in countries that recognize them as legal.However, if the understanding is that you are to be paid for hours spent on the project, then the customer might expect that the product of that labor is already their property (upon payment, anyway) and be rather upset if you intend to charge them extra for it.The fact this is a sideline for you is pretty irrelevant to the business aspects of the situation.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 05:19:04 am
content: Quote from: glicos on August 30, 2017, 01:26:24 amThat makes things though. Now you have to negotiate from a position where your customer may have different ideas than you. I'd try to offer them the choice between paying you a one time fee or buying the assembled boards from you without mentioning prices.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 05:44:44 am
content: Even giving them the pdf has already put you in a very precarious position. They now technically don't need you. What you do will depend on yourrelationship with them, and how long you've known them etc. I would ask nicely, for a fair payment for your work so far BEFORE you convert to PCB.Then ate least, you got something, and have a lesson in life :-) Hope it goes well.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 05:50:19 am
content: Since you already drawn the PCB then you already did your work anyway.Just provide the schematic as a bitmap image. That way they don't have all the other stuff that goes in to making a PCB. If they want to make one they will still have to redraw the entire schematic in there design tool of choice, including all the part symbols and then also all the pcb footprints. So a lot of extra repeated work before they get to the PCB layout part.For boards with lots of weird parts and tight mechanical constraints the preparation for PCB layout can take just as long as the layout itself. Especially if you want all the board documentation to look professional.

author: vealmike
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2017, 09:05:35 am
content: Yes they could go elsewhere. But why should they if you've done a good job?In your position, I'd submit schematics, board file and invoice, along with some wording that states something like:"Any errors found in the reverse engineering / cloning the supplied PCB will be corrected free of charge provided they are submitted within 60 days of this invoice. Any changes or improvements desired are chargeable."You've done the work, give them the package and make it clear that you expect payment.