Maker and prototype desk

Turn your BOM, build, or hardware idea into Shenzhen sourcing options.

For ESP32, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, robotics, repair, Home Assistant, small hardware prototypes, and founders who need local parts, modules, tools, substitutes, or supplier leads from Huaqiangbei.

Send BOM or build link See deliverables

BOM to local options

Translate parts lists into modules, components, substitutes, tools, and supplier leads.

Prototype path

Break an idea into first-round parts, buying questions, and obvious assembly risks.

Local reality

Check what is available in Shenzhen before you wait for slow or expensive alternatives.

Sample kit

Combine modules, connectors, tools, and supplier notes into a practical first-round prototype package.

Services

Services for makers who need practical sourcing notes.

These services do not replace engineering design. They help you find local parts, substitutes, buying paths, and questions to validate next.

01 BOM scout

BOM Scout

Use this when you have a BOM, GitHub repo, build link, part photos, or repair list and need local sourcing options.

What it does

Breaks the request into modules, components, connectors, tools, and must-have specs.
Checks local availability and practical substitute options.
Returns supplier leads, sourcing notes, risk flags, and buying recommendations.

What you send

BOM, GitHub repo, build link, schematic screenshot, or part photos.
Must-have specs, acceptable substitutes, quantity, and deadline.
Use case, target prototype stage, and destination country.

Process

Clarify the build goal and critical parts.
Group the BOM into local-searchable categories.
Check local modules, components, tools, substitutes, and supplier leads.
Return parts notes, local options, and sourcing recommendation.

Not included

Engineering design, circuit design, firmware, compatibility guarantee, or project success guarantee.
Professional testing, certification, or long-term component reliability guarantee.

02 prototype

Idea to Prototype Scout

Use this when you have a hardware idea but need a first practical path from concept to modules, parts, tools, and buying questions.

What it does

Turns the concept into possible modules, enclosures, sensors, displays, boards, and assembly questions.
Flags obvious feasibility, sourcing, packaging, and assembly risks.
Creates a first prototype sourcing path, not a finished engineering plan.

What you send

Idea description, use case, sketches, reference products, or must-have functions.
Target size, power, materials, environment, budget, and quantity.
Any non-negotiable constraints or parts already chosen.

Process

Translate the idea into sourcing categories and build questions.
Scout modules, enclosures, boards, connectors, tools, and substitutes.
Flag obvious feasibility, sourcing, and assembly risk.
Return first-round prototype sourcing notes and next questions.

Not included

Mechanical design, PCB layout, firmware development, or manufacturing-ready DFM.
Guaranteed prototype success or investor-ready product validation.

03 market walk

Maker Parts Sourcing Walk

Use this when you are in Shenzhen or want a guided Huaqiangbei route for maker parts, tools, modules, and prototype supplies.

What it does

Maps the right buildings, floors, counters, and route order.
Translates counter questions and records supplier leads.
Helps compare local options while you are physically in the market.

What you send

Parts list, product goals, photos, specs, and visit time.
Priority items and what can be substituted.
Any tools or materials you want to find locally.

Process

Confirm categories and market route.
Walk the relevant buildings and counters.
Ask supplier questions, compare options, and record leads.
Leave with stall notes, contacts, and suggested next steps.

Not included

Transport, meals, personal spending, product cost, or customs support.
Engineering compatibility or purchase-result guarantee.

04 sample kit

Prototype Sample Kit Coordination

Use this when your first build needs several modules, connectors, tools, or substitutes collected into one practical test package.

What it does

Turns the parts plan into a sample kit: modules, boards, connectors, sensors, tools, enclosures, and spare options.
Confirms local availability, sample cost, domestic delivery, and basic compatibility questions to validate yourself.
Coordinates photos, collection, consolidation, packing notes, and shipping options when logistics are workable.

What you send

Parts list, target build, reference links, acceptable substitutes, quantity, and destination country.
Critical specs such as voltage, connector type, protocol, dimensions, power, material, or mounting method.
What you want to test in the first prototype round.

Process

Group items into must-have, substitute, and nice-to-have categories.
Check sample paths and flag parts that need engineering validation.
Collect and document workable items after buyer funds arrive.
Prepare a sample kit note with packing and next test questions.

Not included

Circuit design, firmware, mechanical CAD, integration testing, or compatibility guarantee.
Battery safety, certification, customs, or finished product responsibility.

Deliverables

Outputs that help makers choose the next build step.

The goal is to reduce sourcing ambiguity, not to replace engineering validation. You still test fit, firmware, safety, and reliability.

BOM sourcing note

Local options, substitutes, supplier leads, MOQ signals, sample availability, and parts that need deeper technical validation.

Prototype path

First-round module choices, enclosure or tool questions, assembly risks, and a practical order for testing assumptions.

Market route map

Buildings, floors, counters, categories, supplier questions, and the route order for an efficient Huaqiangbei visit.

Sample kit note

Collected items, substitute rules, packing photos, missing parts, and the exact questions to validate during your first build.

Risk flags

Voltage, connector, protocol, dimension, firmware, heat, battery, enclosure, certification, and supply continuity concerns.

Next questions

What to prototype first, what to order in small quantity, what to ask an engineer, and what to avoid until more proof exists.

Process

From project material to local sourcing direction.

The output is a practical sourcing note, not a final engineering answer. You still validate fit, safety, firmware, and design.

Step 1

Send the build material

BOM, repo, photos, use case, required specs, substitute rules, and prototype goal.

Step 2

Break into categories

Modules, boards, connectors, tools, enclosures, sensors, displays, and hard-to-find parts.

Step 3

Scout local options

Check availability, supplier leads, substitutes, buying terms, and obvious sourcing risk.

Step 4

Receive next questions

Get parts notes and the issues you should validate before building or ordering more.

Boundaries

Local sourcing support, not outsourced engineering.

HQB Scout helps you find and compare physical parts in Shenzhen. Final design, safety, firmware, and reliability validation stay with your engineering process.

No compatibility guarantee

I can flag visible spec questions and source options, but electrical, firmware, mechanical, and thermal fit must be tested by your team.

No finished prototype promise

The output is a sourcing path, parts note, or sample kit, not a guaranteed working prototype or manufacturing-ready design.

No certification shortcut

Batteries, radio modules, power supplies, safety, EMC, customs, and product compliance require formal checks for your market.

FAQ

Questions makers ask first.

Can you source from a GitHub project BOM?

Yes. Send the repo, BOM, screenshots, and must-have specs. I group parts into local-searchable categories and check practical options.

Can you find substitutes?

Yes, when specs allow it. I can flag substitute options and the exact compatibility questions you should validate before using them.

Can you buy all parts for a prototype?

Sometimes. I first check availability, cost, supplier terms, and logistics. Hard-to-find or highly technical parts may need alternative paths.

Can you build or test the prototype?

No. I can source and document parts, but assembly, firmware, debugging, and engineering tests are outside this service.

Can you guide an in-person Huaqiangbei visit?

Yes, for scoped categories and a scheduled route. Send parts list, priorities, visit time, and what can be substituted.

What should I send first?

Send a BOM, repo, photos, sketches, specs, quantity, destination, deadline, and the first build decision you need to make.

Have a BOM, repo, repair idea, or prototype concept?

Send the project material and the first decision you need to make.

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