CM Archives - Page 23 of 30 - Means Engineering, Inc.

Ensuring a Successful Contract Manufacturing Relationship

October 12, 2018 By meiadmin

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

October 5, 2018 By meiadmin

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

September 21, 2018 By meiadmin

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.

Contract Manufacturers Support Innovation

September 14, 2018 By meiadmin

In the past, contract manufacturing was thought of as a way to save money. While this is still true, a quality contract manufacturer is now able to offer so much more. Contract manufacturers today are relied on by many industries to support growth by bringing innovation, new technology, and a new approach.

Quality contract manufacturers have years of experience designing and creating a wide range of products. In order to meet demand, they must ensure that they are up to date with all of the latest technologies and techniques. This puts them in the best possible position to support innovation.

Until recently, contract manufacturers were chosen based on their ability to reduce costs and time to market. Now, the responsibilities of contract manufacturers are much more diverse. Contract manufacturers today are commonly used to help companies in competitive industries design and produce a wide range of products.

Producing High Quality Devices

In order to be successful, electronic devices must have more options and more features than ever before. This is especially true for devices made for the aerospace and medical industries. These products must meet extremely strict requirements for both quality and accuracy. Many manufacturers simply do not have the tools and resources needed to produce and test products for these industries. This is where a contract manufacturer can help.

Contract manufacturers provide the design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. They are often experts in their field, with access to some of the most advanced technologies available today.

Producing High Quality Products

Contract manufacturers are under more scrutiny than ever before. Companies want to know that their partner is following strict standards for quality and assurance. This is especially true for organizations in the medical or defense industries.

It’s important to ensure that the company you work with is qualified to handle the level of service you require. Contract manufacturers that are ISO certified have proven that they are committed to quality. This type of certification takes a high level of dedication to achieve.

Means Engineering Inc. offers high quality design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Our team is well prepared to work with your company to help you excel and reach new markets.

What is Reverse Engineering?

September 7, 2018 By meiadmin

Reverse engineering involves taking apart an object to see how it works. This is typically done to recreate or improve a product. Reverse engineering can also be used to help determine patent infringement or when service documentation has been lost or is no longer available.

During reverse engineering, products are disassembled to determine the system’s components and the way they interact. The information gained through this process can be used to help manufacturers recreate or improve a specific product. This can be especially beneficial when design documentation is needed or when a manufacturer no longer produces a certain product.

Locate Issues With Existing Products

Sometimes reverse engineering is used to determine issues with an original design. For example, excessive wear could indicate potential problems. These issues aren’t typically visible without taking the object apart.

Reverse engineering can be used to help companies determine what works and what does not. Thorough analysis of an existing or a competitor’s product provides the tools needed to improve product design and create better products. This type of service can be crucial to a company’s continued success, especially in competitive industries such as consumer electronics and medical devices.

Part Replacement

Reverse engineering can be useful when OEMs refuse to provide replacement parts for a specific product. It can also help manufacturers update parts or replace old technology with newer, more readily available options. Specific parts, measurements, materials, and product specifications are captured through the process. The information collected can be used to develop new parts or locate areas that could benefit from improvement.

Reverse engineering has been used by numerous industries for a number of years. Today, reverse engineering is commonly used in software engineering, automotive, consumer products, microchips, chemicals, electronics, and mechanical design.

Reverse Engineering Services

Means Engineering Inc. has years of experience designing and creating products for a variety of industries. We are committed to providing companies with the tools needed for growth and success. This is why we provide ethical reverse engineering of a variety of electronics. Our services can been used to help companies recreate and improve a variety of devices.