Means Engineering, Inc.

Product development engineering in medical, industrial, semiconductor equipment & military with a standard of excellence in form, function and design.

(760) 931-9452 | info@meanseng.com
5927 Geiger Court, Carlsbad, CA 92008-7305

It’s Time to Start Focusing on Growing Your Business!

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Companies around the United States are scrambling to figure out how to keep their businesses afloat. For companies that produce electronic devices and products, competition is at an all-time high. If these businesses want to succeed, they need to focus on reaching as many people as possible. Unfortunately, many businesses spend all of their time and budget manufacturing products in-house. While this offers a high level of control over production, it doesn’t leave much room for marketing and other efforts aimed at growing your business.

There Are Numerous Advantages To Using An Experienced CM

Using a contract manufacturer not only reduces cost and time to market, it allows management to focus on core competencies like sales and marketing. By putting more effort into reaching the public through social media and other methods, businesses can experience significant growth, especially with so many people working from home. This could mean the difference between success and failure in these uncertain times.

In addition to freeing up time and resources, using a CM for part or all of production makes it possible for businesses to increase their product line and bring new products to market faster. The right CM also helps ensure products meet high standards for quality and performance, improving public opinion and trust.

Gaining access to experienced staff and state-of-the-art equipment and machinery is another benefit of utilizing an experienced contract manufacturer. CMs often invest a significant amount of time and money to obtain highly qualified people and top-rated equipment.

Even businesses that have everything they need to produce a wide range of products can benefit from partnering with a contract manufacturer. CMs can help fulfill periods of high demand and provide a second set of eyes for design plans. When used during the design process, CMs can spot areas that could benefit from improvement that might have otherwise gone unnoticed by those closest to the project. Even small changes made by the CM could potentially save the business a significant amount of time and money on production.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes can benefit from working with an experienced contract manufacturer. In addition to improving quality and reducing costs, CMs enable management to focus on what really matters – growing their business!

 

 

 

 

Reducing Component End-Of-Life Risks

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Component end-of-life (EOL) is a common problem with electronics manufacturing. During the design process, designers must consider the likelihood that specific components will be discontinued at some point during production. Unfortunately, there’s often no way to know when the manufacturer of certain components will run out of stock or discontinue production. When this occurs, companies that rely on these components to create their product face rising costs and costly redesign when the component manufacturer eventually runs out of stock.

Although EOL can impact all industries, it tends to hit highly regulated industries like medical and defense much harder. This is because companies responsible for the creation of products for these industries must gain certification for each product they produce. Even small changes to the design can necessitate an expensive and time-consuming re-certification process.

Ideally, designers should only select components they know will be around for quite some time. Fortunately, there are a few things designers can look for when determining component EOL.

Supplier Reputation

When choosing components for use in an electronic device, it’s important to look at the reputation of the supplier. A reputable supplier will stand behind their components. Another factor to consider is the number of suppliers offering the specific component. It’s much riskier if the component used only has one supplier. With more than one supplier, there’s always a back-up if one or more goes out of business.

Avoid Counterfeits

Counterfeit components often enter the market as parts become harder to source. Although companies are often tempted to purchase counterfeits, doing so can negatively affect the quality of finished products. This is another reason why it’s extremely important that designers make sure they purchase components from a reputable source.

Consult a Contract Manufacturer for Advice

Although there isn’t any guarantee that components will remain available forever, an experienced electronics contract manufacturer like Means Engineering can provide information about reliable sources and components. Contract manufacturers deal with suppliers on a daily basis and can provide valuable advice on potential EOLs. The earlier you consult with an experienced CM the better equipped you’ll be in the future.

 

Understanding In-Circuit Testing

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Electronics manufacturers must take necessary precautions to ensure nothing goes wrong with finished products. This is especially important for manufacturers creating devices for the medical, aerospace, and defense industries. Even devices made for other industries require careful assembly if manufacturers wish to avoid costly rebuilds, repairs, and recalls.

In order to ensure proper operation of all parts and components, electronics manufacturers must continuously test throughout production. Using a wide range of tests at different parts of the process helps ensure the quality and reliability of all finished products.

One of the most commonly used tests, in-circuit testing (ICT), helps ensure contract manufacturers and OEMs consistently meet defined parameters during production. ICT provides valuable information about problems with the board. This can prove extremely beneficial as most issues with electronic devices occur because of short circuits, wrong components, and open circuits on the board.

How it Works

ICT relies on a special test fixture, commonly referred to as “bed of nails” because it contains multiple contact pins. The contact pins come in contact with circuit nodes on the printed circuit board (PCB) to measure performance of the components. ICT allows contract manufacturers to measure various parameters including resistance, capacitance, and the operation of analog components. ICT is also sometimes used to measure functionality of digital circuits. However, full testing of circuit functionality isn’t usually feasible due to circuit complexity.

Benefits of ICT

When performed correctly, ICT can catch around 98% of faults with the board. Test results provided by ICT are easy to interpret. This makes it possible for manufacturers of all skillsets to locate problems quickly. Programming an in circuit tester is extremely easy. Electronics manufacturers can use information provided in the PCB layout to generate most of the program.

Disadvantages of ICT

Although ICT remains one of the most popular printed circuit board testing methods, it’s not without its disadvantages. As the size of components shrink, it’s becoming more difficult for manufacturers to gain access to all nodes on the board. This can lead to unreliable test results.

Contract manufacturers and OEMs must rely on a number of different testing methods to ensure the quality of finished products. This is especially important for those responsible for the creation of potentially life-saving products. Although ICT provides an effecting method for testing PCBs, it’s important that electronics manufacturers use additional tests to determine the quality and reliability of circuit boards.

 

 

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer for Complex Box Builds

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Box-build, or system integration, is an electromechanical assembly process which includes enclosure fabrication, installation and routing of cabling or wire harnesses, and installation of sub-assemblies and components. A complex box-build includes a fully integrated electro-mechanical system with pneumatics and electronics.

Box-builds generally include several steps. Companies often find the process too difficult and/or costly to handle in-house. This is perhaps the biggest reason why many companies enlist the help of an experienced contract manufacturer. Using a contract manufacturer not only keeps costs and production times low, it also ensures the correct assembly and testing.

When selecting a contract manufacturer to work with, it’s important to look for a CM with complex box-build experience. Make sure the company you choose has a quality management system in place and ISO certification.

Once you’ve selected a contract manufacturer, it’s important to prepare everything they need to complete the box-build.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Be prepared to present the contract manufacturer with a Bill of Materials. The BOM is extremely important to the overall success of your project. The BOM helps ensure the contract manufacturer knows all the key components. It also lets them know which materials the company will provide and what the CM must source. Defining even smaller items in the BOM such as nuts, bolts, adhesives, tie wraps, washers, wires, etc. helps avoid unexpected delays and cost changes.

Assembly

3D CAD models help the CM visualize the finished product. These should be provided to the CM if possible. At the very least, you should provide the CM with a layout drawing. Many experienced CMs have CAD programs that allow them to easily convert drawings into build instructions.

Dimensions

It’s important to inform the contract manufacturer of the size and weight of the unit. This will help the CM determine handling and storage throughout the build process.

Testing

When working with electrical systems, it’s important to define basic electrical safety testing like earth bond and flash tests. It might be helpful to speak with your contract manufacturer to determine any additional testing required.

Means Engineering has extensive experience in both module level and product level manufacturing of complex box builds. Our skilled staff has the tools and experience necessary to provide a wide range of manufacturing services for fluid and gas handling systems, commercial and military displays, high tech vacuum systems, aviation electronics, and electro-optical systems.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

 

Using a Contract Manufacturer to Grow Your Online Business

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The Internet has created numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to sell their products to people around the world. While selling products online can bring significant income, many businesses simply do not know how to meet extremely high consumer demand.

People purchase products online at increasing rates. According to a study by Statistica, around 80% of all Internet users will make a purchase online within the year. Companies wishing to sell their products online can reach more people in a much shorter amount of time than possible with a retail location. Although many companies and entrepreneurs are tempted to take advantage of the Internet’s potential to grow their business, they need to make sure they’re prepared for the large influx of potential orders.

Prior to starting an online business, it’s important the company determines how they will keep up with strong demand. Enlisting the help of a contract manufacturer can help ensure a steady stream of high quality products.

Design

Experienced contract manufacturers provide a wide range of services. In addition to providing manufacturing of parts, components, and products, CMs also provide design services to businesses looking to create or improve design plans. Contract manufacturers often have years of experience producing products for a wide range of industries. Through trial and error, they’ve learned what works and what does not.

When utilized during the design phase, a contract manufacturer can analyze design plans and locate areas that could benefit from improvement. This might be something as simple as changing the type of material or the size of different components. Often these changes improve the quality of finished products.

Production

Contract manufacturers have everything needed to produce high quality products. They often employ a full-time staff of design and manufacturing experts. They utilize the best processes, equipment, and technology. Using a contract manufacturer provides access to all of these resources, without the high price of acquiring them in-house.

Testing

In addition to design and production, a quality CM can help ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced. By using quality testing equipment and techniques, the CM will test each part and component as it moves through the production process. This helps catch issues sooner when they’re easier and less expensive to fix.

Means Engineering has the tools and people needed to help you grow your business. Please contact us for information about our contract manufacturing services.

ABOUT US

MEI features depth of experience in medical, industrial, semiconductor equipment and military products. All product development efforts start with a unique set of requirements, yet we deliver results that share a common standard of excellence in form, function and design.

Our turn-key capabilities provide smart, simple solutions to cumbersome outsourcing issues, and provide our clients with an intelligent route from concept to market.

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