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

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer for Complex Box Builds

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Box-build, or system integration, is an electromechanical assembly process which includes enclosure fabrication, installation and routing of cabling or wire harnesses, and installation of sub-assemblies and components. A complex box-build includes a fully integrated electro-mechanical system with pneumatics and electronics.

Box-builds generally include several steps. Companies often find the process too difficult and/or costly to handle in-house. This is perhaps the biggest reason why many companies enlist the help of an experienced contract manufacturer. Using a contract manufacturer not only keeps costs and production times low, it also ensures the correct assembly and testing.

When selecting a contract manufacturer to work with, it’s important to look for a CM with complex box-build experience. Make sure the company you choose has a quality management system in place and ISO certification.

Once you’ve selected a contract manufacturer, it’s important to prepare everything they need to complete the box-build.

Bill of Materials (BOM)

Be prepared to present the contract manufacturer with a Bill of Materials. The BOM is extremely important to the overall success of your project. The BOM helps ensure the contract manufacturer knows all the key components. It also lets them know which materials the company will provide and what the CM must source. Defining even smaller items in the BOM such as nuts, bolts, adhesives, tie wraps, washers, wires, etc. helps avoid unexpected delays and cost changes.

Assembly

3D CAD models help the CM visualize the finished product. These should be provided to the CM if possible. At the very least, you should provide the CM with a layout drawing. Many experienced CMs have CAD programs that allow them to easily convert drawings into build instructions.

Dimensions

It’s important to inform the contract manufacturer of the size and weight of the unit. This will help the CM determine handling and storage throughout the build process.

Testing

When working with electrical systems, it’s important to define basic electrical safety testing like earth bond and flash tests. It might be helpful to speak with your contract manufacturer to determine any additional testing required.

Means Engineering has extensive experience in both module level and product level manufacturing of complex box builds. Our skilled staff has the tools and experience necessary to provide a wide range of manufacturing services for fluid and gas handling systems, commercial and military displays, high tech vacuum systems, aviation electronics, and electro-optical systems.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

 

Using a Contract Manufacturer to Grow Your Online Business

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The Internet has created numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to sell their products to people around the world. While selling products online can bring significant income, many businesses simply do not know how to meet extremely high consumer demand.

People purchase products online at increasing rates. According to a study by Statistica, around 80% of all Internet users will make a purchase online within the year. Companies wishing to sell their products online can reach more people in a much shorter amount of time than possible with a retail location. Although many companies and entrepreneurs are tempted to take advantage of the Internet’s potential to grow their business, they need to make sure they’re prepared for the large influx of potential orders.

Prior to starting an online business, it’s important the company determines how they will keep up with strong demand. Enlisting the help of a contract manufacturer can help ensure a steady stream of high quality products.

Design

Experienced contract manufacturers provide a wide range of services. In addition to providing manufacturing of parts, components, and products, CMs also provide design services to businesses looking to create or improve design plans. Contract manufacturers often have years of experience producing products for a wide range of industries. Through trial and error, they’ve learned what works and what does not.

When utilized during the design phase, a contract manufacturer can analyze design plans and locate areas that could benefit from improvement. This might be something as simple as changing the type of material or the size of different components. Often these changes improve the quality of finished products.

Production

Contract manufacturers have everything needed to produce high quality products. They often employ a full-time staff of design and manufacturing experts. They utilize the best processes, equipment, and technology. Using a contract manufacturer provides access to all of these resources, without the high price of acquiring them in-house.

Testing

In addition to design and production, a quality CM can help ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced. By using quality testing equipment and techniques, the CM will test each part and component as it moves through the production process. This helps catch issues sooner when they’re easier and less expensive to fix.

Means Engineering has the tools and people needed to help you grow your business. Please contact us for information about our contract manufacturing services.

How Electronic Contract Manufacturing Services Can Benefit Your Business

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Many electronics companies outsource some or all parts of production. This probably has something to do with the high cost of in-house production. Even if a company can manage the cost of equipment, people, and the technology needed to produce products themselves, it’s extremely difficult to keep up with rising consumer demand for quality electronics. Unfortunately, releasing just one poor quality device could negatively impact company reputation and the ability to obtain a steady flow of repeat and new business.

There are numerous benefits to outsourcing electronic manufacturing services. In addition to reducing costs and time to market, the right electronic contract manufacturer can also increase the quality of products produced.

Improved Quality and Consistency

As mentioned above, quality is extremely important when producing electronic devices. The right electronic contract manufacturer has the tools and experience needed to ensure strict quality control standards and compliance with local, state, federal, and international regulations. ECMs often have years of experience producing, testing, and improving products for a variety of industries.

Cost Savings

Working with an electronic contract manufacturer provides numerous cost savings over producing products in-house. In addition to providing access to the best people, equipment, machinery, and technology, the right ECM can reduce production costs by reducing the number of errors and re-dos.

Improved Turnaround

ECMs have established relationships with their suppliers, making it faster and easier for them to obtain the components they need to complete each project. This, combined with the ECMs vast experience, can significantly reduce the time it takes to bring products to market.

Specialized Manufacturing Services

Certain industries like medical, aerospace, and defense have extremely strict requirements when it comes to device construction. With these industries, there is no room for error. It’s important to find an ECM with experience and expertise in these industries. This helps ensure quality and compliance with strict regulations.

Means Engineering has years of experience working with a wide range of industries including the medical, aerospace, and defense industries. We understand the importance of creating high quality electronic devices. Please contact us for information about our comprehensive electronic contract manufacturing services.

Choosing the Right Contract Manufacturer for Your Needs

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Different companies have different needs. When selecting a contract manufacturer, it’s important to consider these needs as well as any future requirements. Although you might not have any immediate plans to move into new markets, this might change as your business grows. Make sure you choose a CM that can grow and scale with your business needs.

Once you’ve established that the contract manufacturer can fulfill your needs, it’s important to make sure they’re easy to work with. While this might not seem important now, finding you can’t communicate with your CM can have a negative effect on the final result of your project.

Communication

Keeping the lines of communication open is an important part of every project. If you cannot communicate easily with your CM, it’s likely you’ll run into problems sooner or later. Make sure the CM you choose fully understands your requirements and sets a clear schedule for regular calls and/or in-person meetings to discuss progress.

Personality Differences

You want to make sure that you get along with your CM. Finding a quality CM you can speak freely with can have a major impact on your future relationship. Personality differences can put a strain on your relationship, affecting your ability to work with them in the future.

Budget

It goes without saying, but you need to find a contract manufacturer that fits your budget. However, be weary of costs that seem too low. Sometimes, the CM will tack on additional costs later, making the finished product cost more than you planned. If the price seems too low, make sure to ask about potential charges that haven’t made their way onto the original quote.

Quality Control

It’s important to ensure that the contract manufacturer you choose has a comprehensive quality management system in place. Selecting a contract manufacturer with ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 certification ensures the CM uses proven techniques and processes for ensuring products meet strict requirements for quality.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services. We employ a full team of design and manufacturing experts and are well prepared to handle even complex projects. Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

The Smarter Way to Produce New Products

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In today’s competitive world, consumers expect new products to hit the shelf at a faster rate than ever before. This creates challenges for companies responsible for the creation and development of new products. While company innovators may come up with fresh ideas all the time, it takes time and resources to create design plans and bring new products to market. It also takes a lot of people, equipment, space, and technology. This is especially true for companies creating high-end electronic products.

In order to keep up with consumer demand, companies must look for smarter ways to produce new products. This typically involves finding ways to reduce costs and time to market. One of the best ways businesses can accomplish these goals is by implementing the help of a contract manufacturer.

Contract manufacturers help businesses in multiple ways. In addition to reducing cost and time to market, CMs can help significantly improve the quality of finished products.

Save Time

Outsourcing part or all of production to an experienced CM reduces the amount of time companies spend on developing new products. This allows the company to spend their time on what really matter; increasing their business and growing their brand.

Improve Quality

Contract manufacturers have years of experience creating products for a wide range of industries. Through extensive experience, the CM has learned what works and what does not. They’ve refined their quality assurance methods and adopted state of the art testing processes and technology. This puts them in the best position to ensure the creation of high quality products.

Reduced Costs

It takes a lot of money to produce products in-house. Companies must acquire adequate equipment, machinery, people, and space to house and maintain their manufacturing operation. Many smaller companies and start-ups simply do not have the capital required to produce products themselves. Even larger companies find they don’t have the resources needed to fulfill periods of high demand. Utilizing the help of contract manufacturer provides these companies with access to everything they need at a fraction of the cost.

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services for businesses across a wide range of industries. Please contact us for more information about our services.

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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