Quite a lot of the Model III EMS research has been on parts of designs that can be used together to comprise new functions, generally with a superstrip solderless breadboard. But actually putting all the designs together into a usable module is something not easily accomplished with a solderless breadboard. Totally aside from the growing antipathy I have with any modern EDA tools, generating PCBs for these experimental designs now does not seem like a good idea. The level of effort required to layout a PCB for a module actually delays getting to at least one functional and usable module. These are intentionally experimental designs. A PCB is more useful of course for mass-production, and likely assembly time. But a PCB leaves less room for debugging and fixes, as well as any synergistic learning that might occur from using hackable implementations in situ in an EMS.
So, I've decided that full SDIY makes a lot of sense, and will accelerate the ability to construct new modules going forward. As a result, I've acquired a number of double-sided plate-through hole general-purpose breadboards. The Model III EMS modules will be constructed this way at first.
After the system itself is established, and the designs are refined to a greater degree, then undertaking PCBs could be done for expanding the system. Of course, PCBs would make it easier to clone or manufacture new systems.
One thing at a time first.
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