Crowdfunding - PCBs included?

MakerWorld
1

I’m working on a full-size modular vending machine with 3D printed coils and each coil has a small Arduino, stepper motor, stepper driver and sensors on a custom PCB. You can make this fit on a desk or add enough modules to be a full-size vending machine.

Is it possible to add a tier to supply a set of the assembled PCBs (with headers for you to add your own A4988 driver, Stepper motor and Arduino RP2040), ie will Makerworld provide the delivery addresses for this or should you just provide the Gerber files and let people make their own PCBs?

In my opinion it would be nice to give the model away for free, but the crowdfunding gives a tier for the Gerbers, and a higher tier for assembled PCBs delivered.

2

The crowdfunding service lets you create a reward that will allow you to send fully assembled models, the address and postage handling are in you.

There is no reason I can think of why you couldn’t supply specific hardware unrelated to the 3D printing process.

If you choose to provide the Gerber files, you risk them being made public. If that isn’t an issue, then do so. Just remember that crowdfunding models cannot be made available on MakerWorld after the campaign for free. So, handing out circuit board specifications goes against the idea of protecting those who purchased a reward by saying “now this is free”.