electronics Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Means Engineering, Inc.

Creating Products for the Aerospace Industry

April 6, 2018 By meiadmin

Creating Products for the Aerospace Industry

Products used by the aerospace industry must be extremely high quality. These products need to be able to withstand extreme conditions and provide reliable service time and time again. It’s crucial that companies in the aerospace industry partner with a contract manufacturer that understands the importance of quality and reliability of aerospace products.

Reducing Costs While Increasing Quality

The aerospace industry has long development cycles and high qualification costs. For this reason, only manufacturers that are able to provide reliable, cost-effective options should handle the production of aerospace products. Means Engineering, Inc. is dedicated to providing high quality products. Our team of engineers and designers are committed to precision and quality.

We have worked with aerospace firms to design, produce, and test a variety of products. We are an AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified contract manufacturer. This helps ensure the quality of products produced.

Complex Systems and Requirements

Products for the aerospace industry often include extremely complex systems. When creating these products, manufacturers must adhere to strict standards for quality and security. Companies responsible for the creation of products for the aerospace industry need to continually develop innovative solutions for difficult and unique electronics.

These factors must be considered when choosing a contract manufacturer to work with.

Experienced Contract Manufacturers

Our team of expert designers has years of experience creating complex devices. We provide a second set of eyes for design plans to help companies locate areas that could benefit from improvement. This helps reduce the cost of production while increasing the quality of the finished product.

Our testing capabilities allow us to test our products in a variety of situations. We are able to expose aerospace products and their components to extreme conditions. This helps ensure superior performance when put to use.

Aerospace Product Design, Manufacturing, and Testing

We work directly with our aerospace clients to design, produce, and test a wide array of products. We keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques. This ensures the products we produce meet ever-changing standards for quality and reliability. Means Engineering, Inc. is a single stop solution for product design, production, and testing.

Electronic Devices – Understanding How They Work

March 30, 2018 By meiadmin

Electronic Devices – Understanding How They Work

Electronic devices are a big part of modern day life. From cell phones to appliances, these devices make our lives more comfortable and convenient. If you’ve ever held an electronic device in your hand and wondered how it works, you’re not alone. Most people do not fully understand how electronics do the things they do.

Electronic devices are used by almost every industry to perform a number of tasks. These devices contain electronic circuits, which supply power and control the device. Electronic circuits bring electronics to life.

Electronic Circuits

Electronic circuits are made with a number of electronic components including resistors, capacitors, diodes, and transistors. The resistor restricts the flow of the current, the capacitor stores an electric charge, diodes allow the current to flow in one direction, and the transistor controls the current flow. All of these components are contained inside electronic circuits.

The number and type of components contained on a circuit depends on the type of application the device is being used for. The only similarity between each circuit is the fact that all circuit wires begin and end at the same point.

Printed Circuit Boards

Most electronic devices used today require complex circuits. To make these, designers must carefully arrange components on a circuit board. Many companies use printed circuit boards (PCB) to save time and cost. These plastic boards have their layout chemically printed on their surface.

Integrated Circuits

As technology evolves, electronic devices are getting smaller and more efficient. These devices require complex circuits with several thousand components. Integrated circuits (IC) are commonly used for these situations. ICs are tiny circuits that fit inside a silicon chip. ICs are used in cell phones, laptops, and other advanced electronics.

Contract Manufacturing

Companies wishing to create complex devices often enlist the help of a contract manufacturer (CM). A CM helps improve design and create cost-effective, high quality electronic devices.

An experienced contract manufacturer provides a second set of eyes during the design process. This helps locate areas that can be improved. Companies use contract manufacturing services during product development to help cut costs and reduce time-to-market.

Why Prototypes Are Necessary to the Design Process

February 23, 2018 By meiadmin

Why Prototypes Are Necessary to the Design Process

Prototypes provide a usable version of your product for testing and experimenting. This can help you locate errors in design and provide proof of your concept. Prototyping is a crucial part of the design process. Unfortunately, many companies fail to recognize the importance of prototyping.

While sketches and blueprints can provide you with the general feel and texture of your product, prototyping enables you to actually touch and experience it. Occasionally a design will look good on the screen but will fall short during production. Creating a prototype gives you the insight necessary to solve any issues with your product before beginning production.

Benefits of Prototyping

Many companies choose to skip prototyping in order to save time and money on design. However, skipping this step could end up costing you more in the long run.

There are numerous benefits to creating a prototype. Prototyping helps with the collaboration, design and testing of your product.

Communication about needs and wants can easily be misinterpreted. Creating a prototype can save your company time and resources on redesign and production.

Prototyping Saves Time and Money

Creating one prototype of a useless product is far less expensive than producing large quantities of the same product. Prototypes are cheaply made versions that can be tested and experimented with.

Prototypes Help Sell Your Product

Prototypes are essential when pitching your idea. Skeptical clients are far more likely to jump on the opportunity if they are able to see and touch a prototype. Prototypes do not need to be elaborate to be effective. Your company’s needs will determine how detailed your prototype should be.

After creating a prototype, it should be fully tested to locate any potential problems. It’s much easier to deal with these issues when they are caught early in the design process. For the best results, prototyping should occur early and often. This helps keeps your team grounded when making important decisions.

Creating Prototypes

Means Engineering, Inc. offers design, production and testing of a wide range of electronic devices. We have experience with a variety of industries. Our team of professionals can help your company create high quality prototypes. Please contact us for details.

Producing Electronics for the Defense Industry

December 8, 2017 By meiadmin

Producing Electronics for the Defense Industry

Electronics are becoming more important for every industry. In the defense industry, electronic devices are used for communication, navigation and the collection of important data. Reliability and quality are crucial when developing electronics for this important industry.

Electronics technology is constantly evolving. Military devices are getting smaller and more functional. The design and manufacture of electronics is focused on improving quality while reducing costs and power consumption.

Military Electronics

Military electronics are often used for long periods of time. They must be able to withstand extreme conditions. Any defect or failure could have serious consequences. Manufacturers producing electronic devices for the defense industry must keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques.

Many military and defense professionals want the same electronic devices they use in their personal lives to be available in their professional lives as well. As a result, wearable electronics are being used more frequently by the defense industry.

Defense Industry Electronics

The defense industry has been leaning towards a purely digital mindset for years. Portable technologies enable military professionals to access critical information and become more efficient. New technologies can be used to enhance workflows and create new opportunities for the industry. These technologies reduce the chance of error and completely eliminate the need for travel.

Electronic products must be smaller, cheaper and faster if military companies wish to remain competitive. Most electronics manufacturers strive to create smaller, lighter products with increased flexibility and portability.

Protection of information is a top concern to military and defense professionals. Electronic systems should be able to reduce cross-channel interference.

Testing Military Products

Military products require sophisticated testing equipment. All devices and electronic components must be thoroughly tested to ensure quality and reliability. Due to limited defense budgets, the cost of electronics must be kept to a minimum as well. Strict budget and testing requirements create a number of challenges for electronics manufacturers. It’s important that the company chosen to produce electronic devices has prior experience with the defense industry.

Means Engineering, Inc. provides design, manufacture and testing of electronic devices for the defense industry. We are an AS9100 certified contract manufacturer.

Silicon Use in Electronics

November 3, 2017 By meiadmin

Silicon Use in Electronics

Most modern day electronics contain silicon. This important semiconductor material is used to power a wide variety of electronic devices from supercomputers to microwave ovens.

In its pure state, silicon resembles aluminum. Silicon wafers are commonly used as a substrate for microelectronic devices. These devices are built in or over the wafer.

What is silicon?

Silicon is a chemical element found in both sand and glass. It is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Silicon is typically found compounded with other elements. Silicon elements are able to bind atoms tightly and in complex arrangements. The abundance of silicon makes it inexpensive and easy to acquire. This is the biggest reason why silicon is the most widely used semiconductor material.

What is a semiconductor?

Semiconductors are able to conduct electricity under certain conditions and act as an insulator under others. In its pure form, silicon acts as an insulator. Adding impurities changes the electrical properties of silicon. This process is known as doping. Semiconductors are treated with a variety of dopants to change the material’s resistance.

How is silicon manufactured?

Silicon wafers are used in the production of a wide range of electronic components. These wafers are created through a complex manufacturing process. Silicon manufacturing involves the production of metallurgical silicon, which is converted into trichlorosilane then purified and decomposed with hydrogen. This process creates a poly-silicon rod, which is crystallized and cut into wafers.

Why is silicon the most commonly used semiconductor material?

Although there are other semiconductor materials available today, silicon is the most commonly used. There are a many reasons silicon is the preferred material for electronic devices. Perhaps the most obvious is the abundance of silicon in the Earth’s crust. Silicon can be obtained through extremely effective extraction and purification methods. In addition to its availability, silicon forms a nice stable oxide and is relatively strong and easy to handle. The abundance of silicon makes it possible to create wafers of all shapes and sizes, no matter how big or small the requirement. These and other reasons make silicon the best choice for electronic devices.