Means Engineering, Inc.

Product development engineering in medical, industrial, semiconductor equipment & military with a standard of excellence in form, function and design.


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(760) 931-9452 | info@meanseng.com
5927 Geiger Court, Carlsbad, CA 92008-7305

Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

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Benefits of Contract Manufacturing

A contract manufacturer creates products and their components under the label or brand of the companies that hire them. Contract manufacturing is an excellent option for companies that wish to increase their product line but do not have the staff or resources necessary to do so. Contract manufacturing is used to create products for a wide range of industries. It has a number of benefits for companies of all shapes and sizes.

Contract Manufacturing Saves Time

Hiring a contract manufacturer can save a company a considerable amount of time and resources. Companies that use contract manufacturing services do not have to go through the lengthy process of hiring and training new employees to fulfill orders. They do not need to locate a new facility or obtain the equipment necessary for production. The contract manufacturer provides everything needed to produce high quality products. This provides more time for managers to focus on other important aspects of their business.

Contract Manufacturing Saves Money

Perhaps the biggest benefit of contract manufacturing is the cost savings. Companies that hire a contract manufacturer save money on equipment, facility fees and additional employees. In addition, contract manufacturers are typically able to produce parts at a fraction of the cost of in-house production. Contract manufacturing is ideal for the development and testing of new products. A contract manufacturer can also be useful in fulfilling orders when demand for a specific product is high.

High Quality Products

It takes a lot of training and experience to create high quality products. This type of expertise isn’t always feasible when producing products in-house. Sensitive parts, such as those used in electronic devices must be created in a cleanroom environment. This prevents contamination which can affect the reliability of the finished product. A contract manufacturer has the training, experience, equipment and quality control processes necessary to create high quality, reliable products time and time again.

When selecting a contract manufacturer to work with, consider a company that has experience working with a number of different industries. They should have a Quality Management System registered to ISO 9001 and AS 9100.

IPC Standards and Their Role in PCB Manufacturing

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IPC Standards and Their Role in PCB Manufacturing

Strict quality control is extremely important to the manufacture and design of printed circuit boards. Any defect can negatively affect the operation and reliability of the PCB. Since PCBs are typically produced in bulk, just one defect has the potential to render dozens of PCBs ineffective.

PCBs and Modern Technology

Thanks to technological advances, PCBs are able to perform more functions than ever before. These important electronic components can be designed and produced inexpensively, making it possible for manufacturers to install complex electronic components inside affordable household devices.

Printed circuit boards are used in almost every modern day electronic. The quality of the PCB has a significant impact on how these electronic devices perform. This is why it’s crucial that every PCB meets or exceeds industry standards.

PCB Failure Could Have Devastating Results

The function and reliability of PCBs is crucial to the overall success of the final product. There are a number of situations where PCB failure could be devastating. Apart from being more costly, faults in the design and manufacture of PCBs could result in system failure, compensation claims or worse. It’s extremely important that steps are taken to avoid defects during the PCB’s design and manufacturing process.

IPC Standards

The Institute for Printed Circuit Boards (IPC) is the global trade association for the electronics industry. In order to ensure the consistent quality of electronic devices, the IPC has set certain standards for the design and manufacture of all printed circuit boards as well as other electronics components.

Means Engineering Inc. strives to meet or exceed IPC standards for PCB design and manufacture. This ensures high quality products that perform exactly as they should time and time again.

Cleanroom Assembly

PCBs contain delicate parts that are easily damaged by contamination. Even microscopic particles can cause a big problem. Means Engineering Inc. follows strict cleanliness procedures to ensure the most reliable products.

When high quality PCBs are assembled in a cleanroom environment, this effectively mitigates the chance of contamination. Our high quality products exceed the cleanliness requirements set by the IPC.

 

Semiconductor Fabrication Process

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Semiconductor Fabrication Process

A semiconductor is a crucial component in many electronic devices. In fact, semiconductors are present in most modern electronics. Semiconductors contain the properties of both a conductor and an insulator.

Semiconductor Materials

Common semiconductor materials include silicon, selenium, boron, tellurium and germanium. Sometimes semiconductors are made from a combination of these materials. Since semiconductor materials are abundant in nature, they are often inexpensive. The use of these materials allows technology to remain affordable for the general public.

Silicon is the most common semiconductor material used today. This substance is extracted from sand, making it easily accessible and environmentally-friendly.

Semiconductor Fabrication

Semiconductor fabrication involves an extremely intricate process in which circuits are created on top of a wafer made from semiconducting material. Although small, these circuits contain a large number of electronic components. These components must all work simultaneously to perform functions that are vital to the operation of an electronics device.

Semiconductor circuits are assembled by skilled professionals is facilities referred to as “fabs”. The process involves the assembly of hundreds of layers of different materials, each containing their own circuit pattern, on top of a semiconducting material. The entire fabrication process takes approximately six to eight weeks to complete.

Preparation of Semiconductor Material

The semiconductor material must be properly prepared before it can be used. This involves melting and forming it so that it can be sliced into wafers. The size of the wafer varies depending on the type of semiconductor circuit being created.

Once sliced, the wafer undergoes a process to prepare it for photolithography. This process involves the growth of an oxide layer, a cleaning process to remove all contaminants and the application of photoresist to the wafer. The wafer is then spun, baked and exposed to intense UV light to develop the photoresist. Once prepared, a developer is added, the remaining oxide is etched away and the photoresist is removed.

Cleanroom Environment

The entire semiconductor fabrication process takes place inside a dedicated cleanroom. This ensures that dust and other contaminants are not able to come in contact with the parts of the semiconductor circuit. Because of their delicate nature and small size, even microscopic contaminants can render semiconductors ineffective.

 

What is Contract Manufacturing?

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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

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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.

 

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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