Consumer product control circuits
Low-voltage control-side circuits for small products, toys, lighting, sensors, displays, audio, motors, buttons, and control boards.
Electronics design, prototyping, CAD & 3D printing
Electronics prototypes, control circuits, and custom hardware support.
MB Designs Work helps inventors, builders, and small businesses turn low-voltage electronics ideas into practical prototypes — from breadboard circuits and PCB layouts to firmware bring-up, fixtures, enclosures, and 3D printed support parts.
Consumer electronics
PCB design
Firmware bring-up
Bluetooth / IoT
Reverse engineering
3D printing
Built for practical prototypes
Electronics help for small projects that need real technical direction.
The focus is electronics — boards, circuits, firmware bring-up, prototype wiring, CAD fixtures, and 3D printed support parts. Not house electrical work.
Bring the idea, sketch, broken prototype, unfinished PCB, old board, rough breadboard, or product concept. The goal is to carve out the right technical path, reduce guessing, and help you move toward a working prototype without big-firm overhead.
Hourly project support
Clear project categories
Prototype-first workflow
Materials quoted separately
Project catalog
Clear categories for the work MB Designs Work is built to handle.
These are the main project types. The work can start as a consultation, hourly support, or a quoted prototype phase depending on how complete your idea already is.
Schematic and PCB design
Altium schematic capture, PCB layout, component selection, connector planning, board review, and manufacturer-ready files.
Breadboarding and bench debug
Bring-up checks, power sanity testing, signal tracing, noise troubleshooting, continuity checks, and practical debug plans.
Firmware and Bluetooth bring-up
Microcontroller support, simple firmware logic, sensor integration, BLE/Bluetooth modules, serial interfaces, and hardware-firmware testing.
Enclosures, fixtures, and small parts
Autodesk CAD, 3D-printable enclosures, brackets, clips, PCB holders, programming fixtures, test jigs, STL/STEP files, and small printed parts.
Reverse engineering and board recreation
Legacy PCB recreation, board tracing, connector/wire documentation, redesign support, and practical replacement-board planning.
Control-side industrial support
Low-voltage control electronics, fixtures, wiring aids, test adapters, sensor interfaces, and prototype support for small industrial devices.
Manufacturing and design files
Gerbers, BOM support, simple assembly notes, CAD files, STEP/STL exports, 3D model cleanup, and practical documentation for the next build.
Interactive 3D models
Inspect prototype work like a CAD viewer.
Rotate, pan, and zoom each model directly in the browser. Use the view buttons for ISO, top, bottom, front, back, left, and right views, or open the larger preview.
PCB model
Bluetooth preamp / low-voltage PCB development
Example board model for showing practical PCB layout, component placement, low-voltage power/audio work, and prototype design direction.
Left-drag to rotate. Scroll to zoom. Right-click drag, Shift-drag, or two-finger drag to pan. Use the view buttons for quick CAD-style angles.
CAD fixture
Autodesk CAD fixture / jig example
Example CAD work for PCB holders, test fixtures, brackets, assembly aids, and 3D-printable support parts.
Same controls and view buttons as the PCB model. If Autodesk front is the usable top, use the Front button or reset that model orientation before export.
CAD concept
Enclosure / bracket concept
Example mechanical support work for low-voltage prototypes, enclosures, mounting parts, brackets, and small hardware pieces.
Same CAD-style controls. Use ISO for the home view, or jump to top, bottom, front, back, left, and right.
Services
Hourly electronics support with clear starting points.
Most custom work is billed hourly so the scope can stay flexible without forcing the wrong package. A 2-hour minimum applies to hourly project work, and fixed consultation/review options are available when you need a clear first step.
Main service
Electronics Prototype Support
CA$65/hr
Hourly support for low-voltage electronics prototypes, PCB work, firmware bring-up, breadboarding, debugging, reverse engineering, and product-control circuit development. New hourly projects have a 2-hour minimum.
Good for
- Consumer product circuits, toy circuits, lighting, audio, sensors, and motor-control prototypes
- Schematic capture, PCB layout, board review, component selection, and board bring-up
- Firmware/Bluetooth bring-up and simple hardware-firmware integration
- Bench debug, measurements, fault isolation, and prototype revision planning
Best first step
Project Consultation
CA$150
For a new idea, rough product concept, broken prototype, old board, or early design where you need direction before paying for build work.
Includes
- Up to 60-minute phone or video call
- Review of your idea, photos, sketches, files, symptoms, or board notes
- Feasibility, risk, parts, power, firmware, PCB, CAD, and next-step direction
- Short written summary after the call
Design check
Schematic / PCB Review
From CA$150
For people who already have a schematic, PCB layout, BOM, photos, Gerbers, or a prototype board and want practical review before the next revision.
Can include
- Power rails, grounding, routing, footprints, connectors, and component choices
- Manufacturing-file review and layout risk notes
- Written issue list with recommended fixes
- Additional review billed hourly after the starting review
CAD / 3D print
CAD, Fixtures & 3D Prints
CA$65/hr
Autodesk CAD support for enclosures, brackets, clips, PCB holders, test fixtures, programming fixtures, printable parts, STEP/STL files, and small 3D printed pieces. Materials are separate.
Embedded
Firmware / Bluetooth Bring-Up
CA$65/hr
Support for microcontroller bring-up, basic firmware logic, sensor interfaces, serial communication, BLE/Bluetooth modules, motor-control logic, and hardware testing.
Reverse engineering
Legacy Board / Circuit Recreation
CA$65/hr
Support for tracing older boards, documenting wiring, recreating simple PCB designs, building replacement-board direction, and cleaning up files for practical rebuilds.
How it works
A simple path from idea to working prototype.
You can start with a rough idea, an old board, a breadboard circuit, or a half-working prototype. The first goal is to understand the problem, pick the right technical path, and avoid wasted build time.
01
Send the details
Share the goal, photos, sketches, schematic/PCB files, symptoms, measurements, budget range, timeline, and any parts or boards you already have.
02
Pick the starting point
The project is sorted into consultation, PCB review, hourly prototype support, CAD/3D printing, firmware bring-up, or reverse engineering.
03
Work hourly or by phase
The work can continue hourly, or the next prototype phase can be quoted after the direction, risk, parts, and deliverables are clear.
04
Get usable outputs
Outputs can include schematics, PCB files, Gerbers, BOM notes, CAD files, STEP/STL exports, debug notes, wiring notes, firmware notes, or a tested prototype direction.
Electronics scope
Focused on low-voltage electronic prototypes.
MB Designs Work focuses on low-voltage electronics: consumer product circuits, PCB prototypes, sensor boards, motor/control circuits, Bluetooth/IoT modules, firmware bring-up, test fixtures, enclosures, and 3D printed support parts.
Typical fit
- DC systems up to 48 VDC
- Isolated low-voltage signal circuits
- Consumer electronic prototypes
- Control-side industrial fixtures
- PCB and firmware bring-up
- CAD and 3D printed support parts
Not a fit: house electrical work, breaker panels, mains wiring, life-safety systems, medical certification, regulatory certification, or licensed engineering sign-off.
Transparent pricing
Hourly first, with clear materials and prototype costs.
Main project rate: CA$65/hr with a 2-hour minimum. Project consultation: CA$150. PCB/schematic review starts at CA$150.
Hourly billing keeps the scope flexible for real prototype work, especially when the project changes after testing, measurements, part availability, or mechanical fit-up. Larger prototype phases can still be quoted once the work is clear.
Pricing covers design and support labor only. Components, PCB manufacturing, 3D print material, print time, outside fabrication, shipping, specialty modules, and replacement parts are separate unless clearly included in a written quote.
About the builder
Hands-on electronics support from someone who actually builds, tests, and fixes hardware.
MB Designs Work is run by Michael Bradshaw, a hardware builder with an Electrical Engineering & Management background from McMaster University and hands-on experience in electronics manufacturing, PCB design, prototype development, testing, debugging, CAD fixtures, 3D printing, and practical hardware support.
The work is focused on electronics, not building electrical. That means prototype boards, product-control circuits, breadboards, low-voltage power and signal circuits, firmware bring-up, Bluetooth/IoT modules, reverse engineering, CAD fixtures, enclosures, brackets, and small 3D printed support parts.
The goal is simple: help inventors, students, makers, small businesses, and early-stage builders move from messy idea, rough board, or broken prototype toward a practical next revision.
01
PCB and schematic work
Altium schematic capture, PCB layout, board review, component selection, and practical board bring-up support.
02
Hands-on debugging
Power checks, signal tracing, soldering, rework, measurements, noise reduction, and prototype troubleshooting.
03
CAD and 3D printing
Autodesk CAD, 3D printed jigs, enclosures, brackets, PCB holders, test fixtures, and small support parts.
04
Reverse engineering support
Legacy board recreation, wiring documentation, board tracing, redesign planning, and practical replacement-board direction.
05
Firmware bring-up support
Microcontroller support, sensor interfaces, simple firmware logic, BLE/Bluetooth module bring-up, and hardware-firmware testing.
06
Clear honest scope
Focused on low-voltage electronics prototypes. No house electrical work, fake sign-off, or unsupported certification promises.
FAQ
Common questions before starting.
Straight answers about project fit, hourly work, consultation, parts, CAD, 3D printing, firmware, and limits.
Who is behind MB Designs Work?
MB Designs Work is run by Michael Bradshaw, a hands-on hardware builder with a McMaster Electrical Engineering & Management background, electronics manufacturing support experience, and practical experience in PCB work, testing, debugging, CAD fixtures, 3D printing, and prototype support.
What kinds of projects are a good fit?
Good fits include consumer electronics prototypes, toy circuits, low-voltage control boards, sensor circuits, audio circuits, Bluetooth/IoT prototypes, small motor-control circuits, breadboard-to-PCB work, PCB reviews, firmware bring-up, reverse engineering, test fixtures, enclosures, brackets, and 3D printed support parts.
Why use hourly pricing instead of only fixed packages?
Prototype work changes as problems are discovered. Hourly pricing makes it easier to manage scope, avoid fake package promises, and keep the work focused on the next useful technical step. Fixed starting points are still available for consultation and PCB/schematic review.
Can you design the full PCB for me?
Yes, simple low-voltage PCB design can be done hourly or quoted by phase after the schematic, requirements, parts, size, connectors, and risk level are clear. Dense boards, RF, high-speed, high-current, or safety-critical designs may be declined or referred out.
Do you do firmware and Bluetooth?
Yes, for bring-up and practical prototype support: simple microcontroller logic, sensor interfaces, BLE/Bluetooth modules, serial communication, motor-control logic, and hardware-firmware integration. Large production firmware systems may need a dedicated firmware developer.
Do you offer 3D printing?
Yes. CAD and 3D printing support can include enclosures, brackets, clips, PCB holders, test fixtures, programming fixtures, small printed parts, and STEP/STL files. Design labor is hourly, while print material, print time, and outside fabrication are quoted separately.
Can you reverse engineer an old board or circuit?
Yes, if the board is practical to inspect and within scope. Work can include tracing connections, documenting wiring, identifying parts where possible, recreating a simple schematic/PCB, and planning a replacement or updated revision.
Do you work on appliances, mains voltage, or house wiring?
Only the low-voltage electronics/control side may be considered. No house electrical work, breaker panels, mains wiring, appliance mains repair, life-safety systems, medical certification, regulatory certification, or licensed engineering sign-off.
What should I send for a project request?
Send a short project description, your goal, photos, sketches, schematic/PCB files if available, symptoms, measurements, part links, budget range, timeline, and what output you want: advice, files, CAD, prototype debug, firmware bring-up, 3D print support, or a quote.
Contact
Need help with an electronics prototype?
Send the idea, board, circuit, symptom, CAD need, or product goal. Include photos, sketches, files, measurements, links, budget range, and timeline if you have them.
Email project request
Main project rate: CA$65/hr with a 2-hour minimum. Consultation: CA$150. Materials and manufacturing are quoted separately.