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

Better Products Begin With Better Design

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Organizations today face multiple challenges when it comes to creating new products. This is especially true for electronics manufacturers. These manufacturers must develop products extremely fast with more features and more options than ever before. Companies that fail to bring new products to market quickly often fall behind their competition.

Improving Design Plans

When developing new products, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what works and what does not. While a new idea might look good on paper, the finished product doesn’t always end up being cost-effective or practical to produce. Typically, design plans need to be revised several times before production can begin.

Partnering with a qualified contract manufacturer can help your organization locate areas in your design that could benefit from improvement. A contract manufacturer acts as a second set of eyes for design plans. These are individuals with years of experience creating multiple products for numerous industries. They know how to analyze design plans to ensure that products are produced in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible. They also know how to ensure the quality of the finished product.

Increasing Quality

An experienced contract manufacturer will make suggestions to improve the quality of your product. This might include changing the types of materials used or adjusting other elements of the design. By utilizing the advice and experience of a qualified contract manufacturer, your company is able to produce a much higher quality product. This increases consumer trust, improving the chance of repeat business and referrals.

A contract manufacturer can determine methods to improve the way the product is produced. These methods are designed to increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process while reducing the total cost of production. As an added benefit, this also reduces time to market. This allows you to release new products faster, before your competition.

Matching Consumer Demand

Consumers today expect more and in less time. Technology has made it possible for consumers to instantly access anything they want. This has driven the demand for new products through the roof. Reducing time to market could be just the thing to make your business stand out.

Ensuring a Successful Contract Manufacturing Relationship

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A contract manufacturer (CM) helps companies produce new products without the need to acquire additional equipment, technologies, or people. CMs are industry experts with years of experience. Depending on the firm, a CM can help with design, production, and testing of a wide range of products.

Partnering with the right contract manufacturer can be extremely rewarding. Contract manufacturers support innovation and make it possible to grow your business and expand into new markets.

The following will help ensure a successful relationship with your contract manufacturer.

Select a Qualified CM Early in the Process

Enlisting the help of a contract manufacturer early in the process allows you to work together to meet target costs and create realistic timelines. A contract manufacturer can help provide insight that can be used to improve the quality of products produced while reducing the cost of production and time to market.

Define the Scope of Work

Understanding what is expected is crucial to the successful completion of any project. Although companies are often anxious and run headfirst into production, it’s a much better idea to take a step back and make sure that everyone fully understands the true scope of work.

Addressing factors such as timeline, milestones, and responsibilities early in the process ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Identify Testing and Inspection Requirements

Testing and inspection requirements will vary by project. Identifying these requirements early helps control budget and timeline requirements.

Communicate Device Function to the CM

It’s important to describe in detail the functional requirements of the product being produced. This will help identify high-risk areas and ensure compliance with industry standards. For example, medical devices must meet strict regulations. Without a clear understanding of what the finished product will be used for, a CM might not take the necessary steps to ensure compliance. Always be very clear when discussing device function.

Be Realistic About Cost

One of the biggest hurdles of any project is determining the cost of production. While the actual cost will vary from the estimated total, careful planning can provide a more realistic view. It’s important to take into consideration the possibility of market changes that could affect time and cost.

 

 

 

 

Supporting Innovation in the Military and Defense Industries

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Defense industries around the world are starting to show more interest in emerging technologies. In fact, defense communities have already begun reaching out to capable providers. Particular areas of interest include artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, additive manufacturing, advanced and smart materials, augmented reality, unmanned systems, and remote sensing. Modern day militaries are hoping to use these technologies to enhance the effectiveness of military people, machines, and systems in the future.

This increased interest in new technologies represents a significant shift in the capabilities of future military forces.

Utilizing New Technologies

Creating products utilizing new technologies can be difficult. This is especially true for the Military and Defense industries, which have some of the strictest and most demanding requirements in the world.

Military technologies used to be created solely by those in the defense industry. However, that isn’t the case anymore. Commercial firms and research institutions are now the main developers of new technologies for Military and Defense. This is why government agencies frequently turn to outside parties to support their innovation efforts.

Currently, the United States is putting significant effort into acquiring new products that utilize advanced technologies. Each of the states has already begun actively searching for opportunities for innovation and growth. This innovation is essential to the creation of a more advanced future military presence in America.

Creating Innovative New Products

Other countries are also utilizing new technologies and could pose a serious risk if the United States is not able to keep up. Continuous innovation is crucial to the success of our future military.

Outsourcing provides access to a wealth of knowledge and experience. It also provides a fresh perspective on the design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer can ensure that products are built to exact specifications, and that they meet the unique requirements of the Military and Defense industries.

Supporting Growth

Contract manufacturers must keep up to date with the latest technologies and techniques. This puts them in the best possible position to support innovation and future growth.

 

 

 

 

 

Taking a Strategic Approach to R&D Dilemmas

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Companies today face many challenges when it comes to research & development (R&D). This is especially true for companies responsible for the creation of electronic devices. New electronic products must meet strict requirements and the rising demands of modern day consumers.

High-tech companies often struggle with R&D. These companies face a number of dilemmas including high costs, increasing pressure for innovation, and ensuring there is a market for the products they produce. When not properly handled, these dilemmas can have a negative impact on a company’s ability to remain profitable in an extremely competitive market.

It’s crucial that companies take a strategic approach to the dilemmas they face. This approach should be focused on saving money and increasing the company’s earning potential.

Partnering With a Contract Manufacturer

Partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer can help increase a company’s chance at success. The right contract manufacturer is able to provide the tools and resources needed to develop new products. These are individuals with years of experience. They understand what works and what does not.

A quality contract manufacturer has experience working with several different industries. They are able to provide a wide range of services including product design, production, and testing. These services can be used to help high-tech companies create innovative new products.

The right contract manufacturer has extensive knowledge about the electronics industry. They have experience helping electronics companies produce products consumers will actually buy.

Create the Products Consumers Want

Working with a contract manufacturer can help your company reduce costs as well as time to market. This is beneficial for a number of reasons. Reducing costs increases earning potential and provides your company with the funds needed to produce more products.

Electronics are developed at an alarming rate. It seems like the moment a product hits the shelf, the newer model is already available. This is why reducing time to market is so important. Reducing time to market increases the likelihood that people will actually want to buy your product.

A contract manufacturer can provide your company with a wealth of knowledge about your industry. They have access to the tools and technologies needed to create the type of products that consumers demand. These resources are available at a much lower price than in-house production.

Companies wishing to remain competitive should consider partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer.

 

 

 

 

Increasing Consumer Trust in Your Brand

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Brand recognition and consumer trust is crucial to the success of every business. Gaining consumer trust involves making customers happy. Customers that are happy with your products are more likely to recommend them to their friends. This increases your customer base and improves your bottom line.

In order to build trust in your brand, you need to start with a clear understanding of your target audience. You’ll want to learn as much as you can about the industry you intend to target. Market research can help.

Once you know your intended audience, and what they need, it’s time to create your products.

In-House VS Outsourcing

You have two options when it comes to product creation. You can create products in-house, or outsource production to a qualified contract manufacturer. If you choose to handle production yourself, you’ll need to purchase the space, equipment, technology, and machines needed to create and test your products. You’ll also need to hire the necessary staff to handle the design and various stages of production.

Outsourcing is much easier. Instead of hassling with finding a location and staff, and coming up with the capital to purchase equipment, you simply provide your ideas to a contract manufacturer.

Consumers are becoming pickier when it comes to their expectations of new products. As technology evolves, demand for products with connectivity has increased. It’s crucial that you find a contract manufacturer that is able to create the kinds of devices your customers are looking for.

Product Quality

When building your brand, it’s important to create high quality products that are built to last. Quality and durability are the second and third most important factors to consumers after features and options.

Using a contract manufacturer helps ensure that products are produced according to strict requirements for accuracy and quality. This ensures the quality and consistency of every product produced.

When choosing a contract manufacturer to work with, it’s important to look at their ability to create the products you wish to produce. An experienced contract manufacturer will have experience producing high quality products for a wide range of industries.

 

 

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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