electronics manufacturing Archives - Page 2 of 13

Avoid These Common Mistakes When Outsourcing

June 19, 2020 By meiadmin

For organizations that produce or manufacture products, outsourcing provides numerous benefits. In addition to reducing costs and time to market, outsourcing part or all of production can significantly increase the quality of products produced. However, it’s extremely important that organizations make an informed decision when choosing to outsource.

Although most organizations see positive outcomes from outsourcing, selecting the wrong contract manufacturer can cause significant problems. This is especially true for OEMs producing electronic devices that rely on the correct assembly and testing of several complex components.

Organizations considering outsourcing will want to avoid the following common mistakes when working with a contract manufacturer:

Choosing the First CM on the List

The CM you choose can have a major impact on the quality and functionality of your finished product. It’s extremely important that OEMs take their time to interview several different CMs before selecting one to work with. OEMs might find it helpful to create a list of their needs and requirements, including any regulatory standards the finished product must comply with. These needs should be discussed in detail during the interview process.

Failing to Discuss Project Objectives

Maintaining good lines of communication ensures the success of the contract manufacturing relationship. Unfortunately, OEMs often fail to make the project objectives clear to their CM. This can lead to problems with the finished product. It’s crucial that OEMs provide clear instructions regarding project plans, specs, colors, and materials.

Not Putting Enough Trust in Their CM

Outsourcing requires a certain level of trust on the part of the OEM. In order to complete the project, OEMs must hand over project plans and blueprints. Occasionally, the CM may make recommendations to improve the quality or reduce the cost of production.

Choosing the CM With the Lowest Rates

Every business wants to reduce costs. However, choosing a CM with the lowest rates could end up costing OEMs more money in the long run. Low prices typically do not equate to high quality. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services for organizations and OEMs. Our team has years of experience producing parts and components for multiple industries including medical, aerospace, and defense. Please contact us for information about our services.

Getting Ahead of Component Shortages

June 12, 2020 By meiadmin

Recent events have put much of the world on hold. This includes many of the manufacturers of the components used to create a number of electronic devices and widgets. While many manufacturers have returned to business as normal, component shortages could still pose a problem as everyone scrambles to catch up. It’s important that OEMs learn how to deal with potential shortages both now and in the future.

Component shortages occur for several reasons. Before taking any steps to remedy issues with the component supply chain, organizations must first understand the factors responsible for the current shortage. OEMs can then make an informed decision about how to best handle the situation.

Purchase Components in Advance

Organizations need to make sure they have sufficient cash flow to pay for components in advance. Some components have lead times up to fifty weeks. Purchasing in advance can save organizations a lot of trouble on future projects.

Utilize Trusted Partners

Today’s markets change rapidly. Many manufacturers have begun prioritizing larger customers. It’s important to make sure your organization has the resources to fulfill large orders, especially during periods of high demand.

Understand Potential Lead Times

Certain components may have lead times up to fifty weeks. This can cause delays when bringing products to market. It’s important that OEMs learn as much as they can about potential lead times so they can better understand the types of delays they may face in the future. Armed with the right information, OEMs can provide the best options to their customers.

Transparency during the production process is important to the overall success of any project. A quality CM provides clear answers about component delays and the reasons behind them.

Forecast Component Needs

Creating a forecast of component needs ensures everyone has a clear understanding of the project requirements. This keeps everyone on the same page and ensures the CM knows what is expected and when.

Southern California CM

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to OEMs and other organizations looking to increase quality and reduce time to market. Our team has years of experience and understands what works and what doesn’t when it comes to electronic component design. Please contact us for more information about our services.

Benefits of Reverse Engineering

May 28, 2020 By meiadmin

Companies wishing to improve the quality of products produced can benefit significantly from reverse engineering services. At Means Engineering, our team has access to the latest tools and equipment. Through extensive knowledge and experience, they are able to design and produce products for a wide range of industries. We utilize the very best quality management system to ensure every product and component meets or exceeds industry standards for both quality and efficiency.

Understanding Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering refers to the process of extracting knowledge and design information from electronic products and devices. During reverse engineering, an experienced professional takes apart a product or device to analyze how it’s made and how it works. They can then use this information to create an improved product or component. This process can prove especially beneficial when the production of crucial components is discontinued.

Why Reverse Engineering?

Regardless of industry, there’s always room for improvement when producing products. During the course of production, components can break down and become hard to replace. Through reverse engineering, OEMs can recreate parts or create component prints for future design if the original drawings become unavailable.

Reverse Engineering Benefits

Reverse engineering provides numerous benefits. In addition to providing valuable information about electronic devices and components, reverse engineering enables manufacturers to improve the efficiency, power, and quality of finished products.

OEMs that utilize reverse engineering services save themselves a considerable amount of time and effort. Reverse engineering could save OEMs months on design plans. The time saved can then be used to improve existing designs. This increases customer satisfaction and improves the chance of repeat sales and referrals.

In addition to saving time, reverse engineering can extend the life of older devices. Rather than starting fresh with a completely new idea, OEMs can use this valuable service to recreate components or parts that are no longer available.

Contract Manufacturing Services

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to organizations and OEMs looking to reduce costs while improving the quality and consistency of products produced. Our team has the tools and experience to assist with all parts of production from design to testing. Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Trends

May 22, 2020 By meiadmin

Companies around the globe turn to electronics contract manufacturers to help them produce new products. Utilizing the help of an ECM not only saves money by reducing overhead, it can also improve the quality of products produced. This has multiple benefits including increased customer satisfaction.

OEMs may hire an ECM to help them complete different tasks throughout the manufacturing process. Depending on the needs of the organization, OEMs may partner with an ECM at any stage of production. Rising demand for electronics parts and components have made EMS providers a valuable asset to organizations of all shapes and sizes.

Although ECMs are not a new concept, companies around the globe are finding increasing value in utilizing their help. The following are the top EMS trends.

Product Design Outsourcing

In today’s competitive market, OEMs must look for unique ways to improve product quality. They must also focus on keeping costs and production times reasonable. It’s not uncommon for OEMs to enlist the help of an experienced ECM during the design phase of the project.

Typically, the OEM will pass along existing design plans to obtain a second opinion from the ECM. This can prove extremely valuable, as it provides a fresh set of eyes on the project at hand. Through thorough evaluation and vast knowledge and experience, the ECM can typically locate areas of the design that could benefit from improvement. The results of this evaluation may reduce costs, improve production times, and increase the quality of the finished product.

Manufacturing Integration

An increasing number of OEMs are looking for cross-industry horizontally integrated service providers. Although needs can vary from one industry to the next, this type of partnership could mean the difference between success and failure for the OEM.

While some OEMs might outsource the entire manufacturing process, others will only outsource parts of production. Increasing demand from OEMs has led to many ECMs offering a one-stop solution which includes design, engineering, and manufacturing of electronic devices and components under one roof.

Southern California Contract Manufacturing

Mean Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to OEMs and organizations wishing to increase their product selection and their bottom line. Our electronic manufacturing services include design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. We work directly with each of our clients throughout every step of the process to ensure optimal communication and a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with our clients.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

Electronic Manufacturing Services

May 15, 2020 By meiadmin

Electronic manufacturing services, also known as EMS, are the services provided by electronics contract manufacturers (ECM) for OEMs. Although services offered can vary from company to company, they generally include the design, assembly, production, and testing of electronic components and printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Businesses of all shapes and sizes utilize the help of ECMs to produce finished products and/or electronic components. Depending on the needs of the OEM, the ECM may be contracted during any stage of production. Some companies only use ECMs for design, while others use them for full production of a wide range of products. Occasionally, companies may partner with an ECM to fulfill periods of high demand.

Regardless of the type of EMS required, contract manufacturers provide significant value. In addition to helping improve the quality and consistency of finished products, ECMs also help reduce costs and time to market.

Design Services

When utilized during the design phase, ECMs can act as a second set of eyes for design plans. This can help OEMs spot potential problems or locate areas that could benefit from improvement. Often, the changes made by ECMs during the design phase improve quality and optimize production.

Companies can hire a contract manufacturer to look over existing design plans or to create the design plans themselves.

Manufacturing Services

Electronics manufacturing includes the creation of various electronic products. ECMs often have access to advanced technologies and newer equipment and machinery. This puts them in the best possible position to produce a wide range of products.

Because businesses do not need to locate and obtain the people, space, or equipment needed to produce products, using an ECM can significantly reduce the amount of overhead for OEMs. In addition to reducing the costs of production, utilizing the help of an ECM allows businesses to grow and expand into markets they may never have accessed on their own.

Testing Services

Companies may utilize the help of an ECM for testing components or products. ECMs often have access to the best tools and technology, and many have quality management systems in place. Although the type of testing required varies from one industry to the next, the most common types of testing offered by ECMs include:

Agency Compliance Testing
Analytical Laboratory Testing
Automated Optical Inspection
Environmental Testing
Functional Testing
In-Circuit Testing
X-Ray Testing

Southern California Electronics Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to OEMs and other businesses looking to reduce costs and increase the quality of products produced. Please contact us for more information about our ECM services.