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What is Contract Manufacturing?

June 16, 2017 By meiadmin

What is Contract Manufacturing?

Many companies require help to manufacture their products. These companies often enlist the assistance of a contract manufacturer. A contract manufacturer builds and distributes products under the label or brand of the company that hires them. Contract manufacturing is sometimes referred to as private label manufacturing.

Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

Contract manufacturing has many benefits. It frees up time so that companies are able to focus on other aspects of their business. It also allows them to expand into new markets. Companies that use contract manufacturers save money in two ways. Since contract manufacturers work with multiple companies, they are able to procure parts at a fraction of the cost. When companies use contract manufacturers, they do not need to have products produced in-house. This helps them save on wages, training as well as the facility and equipment necessary to manufacture their products.

When demand for a specific product is high, contract manufacturing can be used to meet that demand. By using a contract manufacturer to meet short-term demand, companies are able to avoid the additional costs involved with increased production. Contract manufacturing can also be used to test a product before it goes to market.

Contract manufacturing is useful in a number of industries. It is commonly used in the aerospace, defense, semiconductor and pharmaceutical markets. Contract manufacturing can be used to manufacture a variety of products or their components.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer

The quality of a product says a lot about a business. This is why it’s extremely important to select a contract manufacturer with the skills and experience necessary to fulfill your arrangement. The contract manufacturer you use should have the capabilities to complete your request in a timely and cost-effective manner. They should have access to the equipment and the technology necessary to produce a wide variety of products.

Contract Manufacturer in Carlsbad, CA

Means Engineering, Inc. offers contract manufacturing for a variety of industries. Our superior quality control measures ensure high quality products and consistent results. Our experienced team has many years of experience designing and producing. We work directly with our clients from concept to completion.

Evolution of AS9100 from Rev C to Rev D

June 9, 2017 By meiadmin

Evolution of AS9100 from Rev C to Rev D

AS9100 is the internationally adopted Quality Management System (QMS) for the aerospace industry. It is currently being updated from Rev C to Rev D. The latest changes to AS9100 reflect the needs of a changing marketplace.

After September 15, 2018, AS9100 Rev C will no longer be valid. All organizations are required to transition to AS9100 Rev D by this time. The revisions incorporate changes made by ISO TC176 to the embedded ISO 9001 standard.

Improving Quality and Reliability

The overall performance and success of an organization relies on the quality of its products and services. Customer expectations in regards to quality and reliability are getting more and more stringent in the aerospace and defense sector. This is reflected by the importance being placed on AS9100 to drive consistent quality and reliability through the supply chain.

In today’s competitive business environment, evolution of the QMS is quickly becoming necessary as executives attempt to improve quality and performance. The new AS9100 is based on the updated ISO9001 with the addition of aviation, space and defense industry requirements. The focus of the revision is to add clarity and enhance ease of use.

Preparing for the Update

Rev D represents a major change. As such, it requires leadership and facilitation. It’s important for organizations to think about the required changes, prepare for them being continuous and manage any resistance within their organization.

Organizations must identify any organizational gaps that need to be addressed in order to meet the new requirements. Appropriate training should be given to all parties that have an impact on the effectiveness of the organization. The existing QMS must also be updated to meet the revised requirements.

Benefits of AS9100 Rev D

When implemented and managed well, there are many benefits to AS9100 Rev D. It allows organizations to produce and improve safe and reliable products that meet and exceed customer and regulatory expectations. The processes necessary to perform day-to-day business are well defined and managed and documentation accurately reflects the work being performed.

RGA and the Cleanliness of Vacuum Components

June 2, 2017 By meiadmin

RGA and the Cleanliness of Vacuum Components

Regardless of the industry, all companies strive to run a safe operation and minimize production downtime. Even the microscopic contamination of manufacturing equipment and parts can negatively affect their performance in their integrated assemblies. Dirty equipment is less reliable and more prone to wear and breakdown.

Outgassing of materials and the generation of particles can have a significant effect on assembly. Material outgassing is of particular concern in applications where vapors can affect performance. Material selection and appropriate cleaning processes are an essential part of managing outgassing.

Understanding Residual Gas Analysis

Residual Gas Analysis is an analytical technique used for identifying gasses in a vacuum environment. During the process, a Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA) creates a beam of ions from the sample of gas being analyzed. These ions are separated into individual species based on their charge-to-mass ratios. The three main parts of an RGA are the ionizer, the mass analyzer and the ion detector.

Residual Gas Analyzers Detect and Quantify Contaminants

RGAs are used to monitor the quality of a vacuum and to detect minute traces of impurities in a low-pressure environment. A residual gas analyzer is specially designed to be used in either a laboratory or on the shop floor. They are primarily used for process control and contamination monitoring in vacuum systems. Gas analyzers can distinguish leaks from outgassing, detect helium, fingerprint the process background and determine the effectiveness of gas line purging.

Outgassing is the detachment of volatile molecules which can be absorbed or adsorbed on the surface or in the volume of a material. Outgassing prohibits fast achievement of low pressure valves and outgassing materials can deposit on surfaces, causing them damage.

Vacuum Cleanliness

Vacuum applications are becoming more important due to the large number of technologies that can only be applied in vacuum environments. The purpose of a vacuum is to remove molecules that could interfere with a process or equipment. In order to achieve optimal vacuum performance, vacuum vessels and components must be kept clean. An RGA helps achieve stringent levels of cleanliness while efficiently characterizing and quantifying micro-contaminants.

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.

5 Little Known Facts About Welding

May 12, 2017 By meiadmin

5 Little Known Facts About Welding

In some form or another, welding has been around for centuries. In fact, welding dates back as far as the Bronze Age. Many people don’t realize the impact that welding has on their everyday lives. Means Engineering, Inc. hopes that you will enjoy the following little known facts about welding.

WELDING IS ALL AROUND US

More than half of all products made in the U.S.A. require some form of welding in their manufacture process. No matter how big or small, anything made out of metal can be used and produced through welding and fabrication. As technology continues to evolve, so does the accuracy, quality and versatility of welding and fabrication. Welding is involved in the making of all kinds of things, from our computers and cell phones to the homes that we live in.

WELDING IS DONE IN A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTS

Welding is performed both indoors and out as well as in space and underwater. Underwater welding is used for structures that cannot be removed from water. Welding in space is essential for projects such as the International Space Station.

5% OF WELDERS IN THE U.S. ARE WOMEN

During World War II more than 310,000 women worked in the U.S. aircraft industry performing jobs such as welding, riveting and engine repair. Today, 5% of welders in the United States are women. This percentage is expected to rise by 2020.

PLASTIC CAN BE WELDED

Welding is essential to the manufacturing process of all types of vehicles. Ultrasonic welding was used to assemble the world’s first plastic car. Although plastic cars never caught on, ultrasonic welding did.

WELDING IS NECESSARY FOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

While doctors and scientists stand at the forefront of the medical world, they wouldn’t be able to perform their jobs without the dedicated men and women who manufacture and engineer the medical devices that they rely on. Welding is crucial to the manufacturing process of laser technology, MRI, CT, X-ray machines and air-tight operating rooms.

Means Engineering, Inc. offers fabrication of complex welded assemblies for a wide range of industries. The quality of work produced by our expert welders is fully backed by our demanding quality management processes.