What I’ve learned from refining the Protoworks service offerings, simplifying the options and making room for smaller, iterative projects.

Experimenting with an MCP service that gives AI agents a way to discover Protoworks, explore its services and communicate asynchronously with a human.

Pruning the Protoworks development pipeline, introducing a clearer naming scheme for UCMOD modules, and starting work on a lightweight JWT authentication API.

Defining the three Protoworks product ranges — Just Boards, Building Block Boards and Industrial Boards — and the design philosophy behind them.

Designing two simple, self-assembly PCBs: a UPDI Friend to Tag-Connect adapter and a breakout board for UCMOD microcontroller modules.

Sending the first UCMOD microcontroller module and the latest revision of the Isolated RS485 Building Block Board off for manufacture.

Starting the design of a compact ATtiny1614-based microcontroller module with a standardised 20-pin connector for use across a range of carrier boards.

Completing communications testing of the Rev A Isolated RS485 Building Block Board and planning a revised eFuse-based input protection circuit for Rev B.

Initial testing of the Rev A Isolated RS485 Building Block Board, including its isolated power supply, reverse-polarity protection, overvoltage protection and RS485 driver outputs.

Designing an isolated RS485 building block board with isolated power, input protection, configurable termination and biasing, and separate logic-side and bus-side grounds.