# Sourcing parts Welcome to part sourcing! Here's a ton of tips for you to optimize your part selection & costs! If you're ever unsure of your BOM, send it in #highway! People can definitely help you pick better parts and make better decisions. ## Overview When picking parts, PLEASE be resourceful! Make the most out of every dollar and don't take the entire budget just because you can #### Do's - Lots of research into what parts to use! - Ask in #highway for advice on picking parts #### Don'ts - Buy a $100 Oscilloscope - Buy extra parts for "later projects" - Buy a $40 module on amazon instead of waiting 2 weeks to get it for $5 instead At the end, everything should be in a BOM with links to specific parts. ## Specific parts ### General Generally speaking, try to reference parts off of other projects since you'll eliminate more unknowns with the hardware ### Modules (TP4056, LED matrices, etc) Almost always the cheapest option is to get it from AliExpress; the only downside is that shipping *may* take awhile - usually a 2-3 week buffer is safe. If you're in a pinch, Amazon actually has OK prices all things considered. I would avoid it though, unless you're going to miss Undercity if you don't use them ### SBCs (Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, etc) Raspberry Pi You can get Orange Pis from aliexpress. Depending on your application though, you can also repurpose old laptops/desktops for your specific application if it's not space-sensitive ### Microcontrollers (arduino, RP2040, etc) AliExpress is still usually your go-to for this! Arduinos are fairly outdated by todays standards ### PCBs - If you're in India, use [SEEED Studio's Fusion Service](https://www.seeedstudio.com/fusion_pcb.html). They take HCB cards and are by far the cheapest option - If you're from another country, use JLCPCB, they offer PCBs for under $6 shipped as long as its under 100x100mm - If you're from the US specifically, use PCBWAY. They're roughly half the cost of JLCPCB because they're able to avoid tariffs somehow - Read here: [link](https://www.pcbway.com/blog/News/Impact_of_the_New_U_S_Tariff_Policy_on_Customs_Clearance_51dff4fd.html) ### Batteries (Li-Po, CR2032, AA, etc) ## Country Specific Notes ### Egypt: #### Parts - Egypt has a store called RAM Electronics, which holds a certificate from Cytron, and it offers products at a significantly lower price. ([link](https://www.ram-e-shop.com/)) - Additionally, there is Flux Electronics, which offers a wide range of 3D printer Parts and a vast selection of electronics. ([link](https://fluxelectronix.com/)) #### 3D printing service - There is Printfy3d, it accepts HCB cards, and it is a good choice. ([link](https://www.printfy3d.net/3d-printing)) ### India: - Most vendors do not take international cards [cards issued outside India], which unfortunately, HCB falls into the category of. Contact your local vendors to try to get that changed! - Here are some vendors that are documented to work with HCB cards currently, segregated into categories * Electronic parts (RPIs, modules, power supplies and the like) * [Silverline Electronics](https://www.silverlineelectronics.in/) * [RoboSap](https://robosap.in/) * [RoboticsDNA](https://roboticsdna.in/) * [EBhoot](https://ebhoot.in/) * [Electronicscomp](https://www.electronicscomp.com/) * [Sharvi Electronics](https://sharvielectronics.com/) * [Novo3D](https://novo3d.in/) * 3D printed parts (3D printing as a Service, JLC3DP-alike) * [3Ding](https://www.3ding.in/) * > confirmed more vendors? wanna add specific notes for your country? contribute [here](https://github.com/hackclub/highway/edit/main/app/views/advanced/part-sourcing.md)!! You'd be helping a ton of people! ## Tips for specific vendors ### AliExpress Aliexpress is one of the highest skill ceiling stores out there - there's a ton of optimisation you can do. Here's some tips: - The welcome deal only works once when you make your account, so don't budget off of that - you will be hit by significantly higher prices afterwards. - Pay attention to the estimate shipment date. This will vary by region, but generally speaking it's actually fairly reliable - Also pay attention to the shipping cost! Usually items that don't have free shipping but a lower initial price actually end up being more expensive when you tally the costs - There's specific vendors that are useful: - AITXEM ROBOT: Any microcontroller you can think of - Trianglelab: 3D printer parts! ## Other resources COMING SOON!