electronics design Archives - Page 2 of 2

Why Contract Manufacturing is Becoming More Popular

August 17, 2018 By meiadmin

Manufacturing companies today face tough scrutiny from consumers when it comes to the quality and durability of their products. This is especially true for electronics. Consumers today expect more options and features than ever before. It can be extremely difficult for manufacturing companies to keep up with demand.

Lately, we’ve seen more companies choosing to outsource to a contract manufacturer. Although outsourcing isn’t a new concept for businesses around the world, the recent uptick in companies turning to contract manufacturing is. It makes sense when you consider the fact that using a contract manufacturer reduces costs and time to market. Outsourcing also helps increase the quality and consistency of products produced.

What is Contract Manufacturing?

Contract manufacturers produce products under the label or brand of the company that hires them. Companies may choose to use a contract manufacturer for any or all parts of production. A qualified contract manufacturer is able to provide a wide range of services including design, production, and testing. They can be used to create prototypes or for new product development.

How Contract Manufacturing Can Benefit Your Company

Contract manufacturing allows companies to produce a large amount of products without having to purchase the space, equipment, technology, or people needed for production. Experienced contract manufacturers often have years of experience and know how to create a wide range of high quality products.

Outsourcing allows you to focus on other important aspects of your business such as marketing and expanding into new markets. Since outsourcing costs less than producing products in-house, your business will have more money to spread your message about your products.

Carlsbad Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering, Inc. provides design, production, and testing of products for businesses of all shapes and sizes. We have experience working with multiple industries and have the tools and knowledge needed to produce high quality products.

Our services are designed to reduce costs and time-to-market. Our team works directly with each of our clients to develop a customized approach to our comprehensive services.

Please contact us to learn more about our contract manufacturing services.

Smart Devices

August 10, 2018 By meiadmin

As technology evolves, consumers expect new products to have more features than ever before. This is especially true for electronics. Consumers expect newer electronics to allow them to perform a number of tasks quickly and easily. One trend that has recently taken flight is the addition of smart features to electronic devices.

Smart features enable devices to connect to the Internet. One example of a smart device is a cell phone. Smart phones allow us to connect with more people and utilize the Internet for browsing websites, storing photos, and even figuring out where we are and where we’re going.

Smart Devices Are All Around Us

Smart devices come in all shapes and sizes, and are available for a number of different applications. In the home, smart devices include smart thermostats, which enable homeowners to control their HVAC system from any location in the world. There are also smart televisions, dishwashers, security systems, lighting systems, and more. It won’t be long before every aspect of our home can be controlled through an Internet application.

In business, smart devices are used to increase efficiency and improve profitability. Smart devices help monitor and track operations, equipment, temperatures, and more.These devices are quickly becoming a necessity in every industry. In fact, businesses that do not adopt smart solutions will quickly become obsolete.

In the defense and aerospace industries, smart devices are used to keep vital communication and to collect and store information that can be used by leaders to make smart, data-driven decisions.

In the medical industry, smart devices are changing the ways that patients and doctors communicate, as well as how conditions are diagnosed, evaluated, and treated. The possibilities are limitless. It’s crucial that new electronic devices provide the capability to connect to the Internet.

Contract Manufacturing in Carlsbad, CA

Means Engineering Inc. offers the design, production, and testing of a wide range of electronic devices. We have experience working with a number of industries including medical, aerospace, and defense. We understand how important smart devices are to the future success of these industries. Please contact us to learn how we can help your company create high quality, electronic devices.

Testing Electronics

June 22, 2018 By meiadmin

Testing Electronics

When creating electronics, companies must be extremely careful to fully test all products and components. It’s important that the contract manufacturer you work with has solid testing practices in place. This helps ensure the quality and reliability of products produced.

Testing is different from inspections, which are generally performed to check whether all parts fit together correctly. Inspections do not determine the quality or reliability of products produced. Testing is the only way to know for sure whether or not a product works the way it was intended.

Proper testing helps ensure product quality, durability, and safety. Typical testing methods focus on either functionality or product performance under stress. Stress testing is extremely important for devices that will be used in extreme conditions such as in space, or underwater.

A quality contract manufacturer uses a variety of test solutions to ensure that products work properly. For the best results, testing should take place throughout production, and each component should be tested.

Types of Testing

There are several different types of testing commonly used for electronic devices. The actual type of testing performed depends on many factors including when, where, and how the device will be used. Some electronics require more testing than others. Some products must undergo environmental or climate testing to check their performance in harsh environments. This is crucial for devices used by the aerospace and defense industries.

Some products must be tested to see how they perform when exposed to vibration, shock, and acceleration. Other products must be able to withstand sand, dust, or water without becoming damaged or less effective.

Design, Production, and Testing of Electronic Devices

Means Engineering, Inc. offers design, production, and testing of a wide range of electronic products. Our team works directly with each of our clients to develop a testing solution that meets their unique needs and requirements.

We provide testing throughout all parts of production to ensure the quality, reliability, and consistency of products produced. We are an ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified contract manufacturer. This helps us ensure that all products have met the strictest requirements for quality.

Outsourcing Your Custom Electronics Project

May 2, 2018 By meiadmin

Outsourcing Your Custom Electronics Project

Any new project can create concerns. This is especially true for those involving the creation of custom electronics. An experienced contract manufacturer can help with the design, production, and testing of a variety of electronics.

Outsourcing can be an effective way to increase the quality of products produced, save money, and reduce time-to-market. The decision to outsource will be dependent on the unique requirements of each project. The following considerations should be taken into account.

Volume

If you only need to produce a small quantity, it might be more cost-effective to outsource production. Producing products in-house requires a significant amount of space, money, and other resources. An experienced contract manufacturer can help you produce the exact quantity you need, saving you the hassle of having to store large amounts of inventory.

Budget

Budget plays a big role in the decision to outsource. In order to determine whether outsourcing is right for your particular situation, you need to consider both your budget and expertise. If your team has the experience necessary to complete the project within budget, it might be a good option to keep production in-house. However, if the project is outside your level of expertise, and the budget is going to restrict your process, outsourcing is probably your best option. Outsourcing is an excellent way to make the most of both your budget and your customer’s.

Timeframe

The right partner can help reduce the time it takes for your products to reach consumers. It’s crucial that you make sure that the contract manufacturer you choose is able to complete the project in the timeframe you require.

Quality Control

Quality is extremely important to the success of any project. Outsourcing can help increase the overall quality and consistency of products produced. For the best results, check that the contract manufacturer you choose is ISO certified.

Anticipate Changes

As your company grows, so will your needs. Choose a partner that has experience with a wide range of industries. Ensure that they are able to produce a variety of products. This way, you’ll be well prepared for any changes your company experiences in the future.

What “Target Condition” Means in Regards to IPC Workmanship

May 26, 2017 By meiadmin

What “Target Condition” Means in Regards to IPC Workmanship

IPC standards are essential to a company’s improvement. These standards help establish a level of quality and help communicate quality acceptance criteria across the industry. Electronics assemblies are divided into three classes in the following four categories:

Target Condition
Acceptable Condition
Defect Condition
Process Indicator Condition

IPC standards ensure that manufacturers remain accountable and credible to both their suppliers and their customers. IPC standards also provide a common language between designers, assemblers and testers. This helps eliminate confusion, speed up verification and reduce assembly costs.

What is “Target Condition”?

“Target condition” is defined as “close to perfect” and is the most desirable condition. It should be noted that “target condition” is not always achievable and might not be necessary for the reliability of an assembly. However, every assembly should strive for this ideal.

IPC Classes

IPC Classes are used to standardize the acceptability levels of electronics. The IPC definition of Classes is based on product functionality and functional operation criterion. The environmental and reliability requirements of a product determine its appropriate Class selection.

IPC Class 2 and IPC Class 3 are both workmanship standards for building electronics assemblies. These standards define what is considered acceptable when it comes to all things related to electronics circuit board assembly including build criteria for solder joints, heel fillets and component placement tolerance.

Unless otherwise noted on the product documentation, the default build standard is generally Class 2. Class 3 is a much more stringent workmanship standard and is typically reserved for products that require more intense levels of reliability such as those used by the medical and aerospace industries. For a product to be defined as Class 3, it must meet total IPC criteria.

Achieving the Ideal Cost-Performance Ratio

Electronics design, engineering and manufacturing involves a constant balance to achieve the ideal cost-performance ratio while still allowing for differentiation through innovation. IPC standards allow electronics manufacturers to clearly understand and meet their customer’s expectations for both performance and quality.

When you work with Means Engineering, Inc., you can rest assured that our experienced team will meet the IPC standard that your product requires.