FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Straight answers to the most common questions before starting a project.
What is Hardware as a Service?
It is a model where you rent an engineering team and a lab until your project is ready, instead of building your own R&D. DC Circuit Labs covers electronics and PCB, firmware, mechanics, manufacturing and supply, and systems integration under a single contract.
How long does a prototype take?
The reference is 6 weeks, from kickoff to a documented, tested and validated prototype in your hands. The timeline varies with project complexity and component delivery.
How much does a hardware MVP cost?
It depends on the scope: how many engineering disciplines the project involves, the complexity of the electronics and how many prototype units you need. After an initial conversation about your idea, we send a proposal with scope, timeline and investment.
Do I need a finished design to get started?
No. You can come with just the idea. In the first contact we ask what stage it is at — idea, prototype or product — to suggest the best starting point.
What do I get at the end?
A working, documented, tested and validated prototype, together with the project’s technical documentation: schematics, board layout, bill of materials, manufacturing files, firmware and test report.
Is the prototype under warranty?
We deliver a complete test report and, if a failure not mapped within the initial scope shows up, we revise the design at no extra cost. Boards and components for a new version are paid by the client.
Can you help with production at scale?
Yes, through our manufacturing and supply discipline: component quoting and purchasing, board manufacturing and assembly with partner suppliers, and unit-cost and batch-size analysis.
What kind of clients do you work with?
Mainly people who took over a family business and want to innovate with technology, and people with a product idea who need an MVP to raise investment. We work mostly in agribusiness and food, small and mid-sized manufacturing and academic projects.
Where do you operate?
We are based in Curitiba and serve Curitiba, its region and the whole state of Paraná, Brazil.