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

2020 Electronics Manufacturing Trends

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As a leading Southern California contract manufacturer, we’ve seen many changes in the electronics manufacturing industry over the past few years. While certain trends have come and gone, others will likely continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Below, we detail the top electronics manufacturing trends that could transform the electronics industry in 2020.

Internet of Things

The manufacturing industry continues to embrace the Internet of Things. Integration of equipment and devices with Internet of Things technology enables cost reduction, product innovation, increased efficiency, and reduced burden on staff. IoT technology automates and simplifies a number of processes, eliminating tasks and the risk of human error.

We expect to see many more businesses in the electronics manufacturing industry implement IoT technology into their business next year.

Predictive Analysis

Several businesses have begun using technology and IoT devices to enable fast detection of potential problems. Manufacturers that utilize predictive technologies catch issues sooner, before they can slow production or lead to costly downtime. In addition to preventing downtime, predictive maintenance reduces maintenance and repair costs.

ERP Systems

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system help keeps manufacturing businesses competitive and lean. The right ERP system can help a manufacturer track inventory and orders in real-time. When provided in the cloud, an ERP system provides instant access to actionable data and reports from any location in the world.

3D Printing

3D printing has gained a lot of popularity over recent years. Manufacturers commonly use 3D printers to create prototypes, enabling designers to troubleshoot and test their products sooner. This increases time to market and provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional prototype creation.

Contract Manufacturers

As consumer demand increases, more companies are utilizing the help of contract manufacturers. CMs can help a company produce new products, expand into new markets, and increase the quality of products produced. OEMs, start-ups, and small businesses frequently turn to contract manufacturers to help fulfill periods of high demand. We expect this will continue into 2020.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services designed to help our clients reduce costs and time to market. As an ISO certified contract manufacturer, we understand the need for exceptional service and quality. Please contact us for information about our services.

Does Your Contract Manufacturer Have the Right Technology to Handle Your Project?

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Having the right technology is extremely important when creating electronic devices and components. Without the right tools and technology, quality suffers. This can create problems with reputation and lead to costly product recalls. Although working with a contract manufacturer can help increase quality and reduce costs, it’s important to make sure the CM you work with is tech savvy enough to handle your project requirements.

Equipment

The manufacturing equipment used can have a major impact on the finished product. When selecting a CM to work with, make sure the company you choose has the right machinery and equipment to produce the products you require.

People

In addition to having the right equipment and machinery, your CM should have a full staff of experienced and dedicated professionals. If possible, visit the CM’s facility and speak directly with the people responsible for creating your products.

Quality Management System

Nothing determines the success of a new product more than quality. Offering high quality products improves sales, increases the chance of repeat business and recommendations, and can significantly help grow a company’s brand.

When choosing a contract manufacturer, look for a CM with a Quality Management System in place. Ask potential CMs whether they are ISO certified. Companies that have received ISO certification have proven that they meet or exceed extremely high standards for quality.

Traceability

In order to ensure the finished quality and correct assembly of electronic devices, companies need to track all devices and components throughout production. Traceability is extremely important, especially when creating custom devices and/or devices for the medical, defense, and aerospace industries.

Make sure the CM you choose actively uses a proven traceability system. The system should allow the CM to track every part and component through all stages of production. This type of system provides valuable insight and ensures everyone knows and understands the progress and status of the project.

Means Engineering offers a variety of contract manufacturing services including design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. An ISO certified CM, Means Engineering uses best practices and equipment to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

Save On Soft Costs By Utilizing a U.S. Based CM

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Utilizing a contract manufacturer can save a significant amount of time and money over handling production in-house. The right CM helps improve product quality, reduces time to market, and helps businesses expand into new markets. While outsourcing typically costs less than purchasing equipment, hiring and maintaining staff, and ensuring optimal quality through advanced testing techniques and practices, using a U.S. based CM can save more on the soft costs of production over outsourcing overseas.

Quality Assurance

Businesses spend a lot of money assuring the quality of finished products and components. This is important, as most U.S. consumers have extremely high expectations for quality and service. Releasing a new product that does not meet consumer expectations can have a negative effect on brand reputation. When it comes to electronic devices created for the medical and aerospace industries, poor quality could affect the health or well-being of the people that use the finished product.

Unfortunately, most overseas manufacturers do not have access to the same equipment or resources as local, U.S. based manufacturers. In order to ensure products and components meet quality standards, companies often must test products themselves. Using a U.S. based CM like Means Engineering ensures all products meet strict requirements for quality. This eliminates the cost of having to test products in-house.

Ease of Communication

Communication is one of the biggest complaints companies have when outsourcing overseas. Language barriers and varying time zones creates issues with communication that could affect product quality and/or time to market.

When working with a contract manufacturer, it’s important that companies maintain clear lines of communication throughout the entire process. Working with a U.S. based CM eliminates language barrier and time zone concerns.

Monitor Progress

Companies that outsource production overseas typically do not get the opportunity to meet with the CM or see the facility. Aside from the communications they receive, the company has no way to actually track progress.

Working with a local CM makes it possible to visit the facility and meet the people who will work on the project. This ability to “mind the shop” creates peace of mind and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Means Engineering offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services designed to cut costs and increase the quality of finished products and components. Please contact us for more information about our services.

 

 

Ensuring Quality When Using a Contract Manufacturer

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There are numerous benefits to using a contract manufacturer. In addition to reducing costs and time-to-market, outsourcing also allows for better allocation of staff and greater flexibility. Despite the benefits, many organizations still worry that outsourcing will equate to lower quality products. While monitoring quality is a little more difficult when you outsource, there are a few things you can do to ensure high quality products. In fact, partnering with the right CM can actually improve the quality of the products you produce.

Quality Management System

Companies that have a comprehensive Quality Management System in place have taken the time and steps needed to ensure quality assurance. Look for a company with AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification. It also helps to look for a CM that has experience working with a wide range of industries. This provides numerous benefits to companies looking to expand into new markets.

Clear Communication

Before partnering with a CM, make sure there’s a clear line of communication. It’s normal and expected to have regular meetings throughout the design and production process to ensure everyone is on the same page. It’s also important that the CM you work with notifies you of any changes before they occur. This should be clearly stated in your contract.

It’s also important to have a system in place to manage and interpret the information provided by the contract manufacturer.

Communication Timeline

It’s important to establish communication standards including response times and who will be responsible for managing communications. This is extremely important before beginning any project.

You want to make sure that you can get in touch with the CM if there is a recall or other issue with a part or component used in your product. Alternatively, you need to let consumers know if their device is not affected by the recall. The last thing you want is to have to wait for a reply.

Means Engineering has years of experience working with numerous industries. We work directly with each of our clients throughout the entire project, from design to completion. Please contact us to learn more about our contract manufacturing services.

Creating High Quality Products for the Aerospace Industry

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At Means Engineering, we understand the unique needs of the aerospace industry. No matter how big or small the project, we strive to deliver high quality products and service on time and on budget. When it comes to the aerospace industry, we understand the importance of high quality, reliable devices. We take all necessary steps to ensure each part and component meets strict requirements for quality and reliability.

Our team has years of experience with design and builds, redesigns, and troubleshooting devices and components for the aerospace industry. We follow strict compliance requirements and test each part throughout production. Our Quality Management System helps mitigate risk and ensures accurate documentation and reporting.

Creating Reliable Devices for Mission Critical Operations

Proper operation is crucial when it comes to devices used by the aerospace Industry. If devices fail, it could cause serious harm or injury. This is why it’s so important to work with a contract manufacturer that has experience creating devices for the aerospace Industry.

Means Engineering carries AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification. We use up-to-date technology and techniques and thoroughly test each component during production. This helps catch issues sooner, when they’re easier to fix. Our dedication to quality control allows us to ensure the quality and consistency of every product produced.

Experienced Team

Means Engineering employs an experienced team of designers and engineers. We are well-equipped to provide your organization with a second set of eyes for your design plans. This can help your organization locate potential problems or locate ways to reduce cost or improve the quality of finished products. We work directly with you throughout every step of the project.

From Design to Completion

When utilized during the design process, Means Engineering can help locate areas of the design that could benefit from improvement. This helps catch issues prior to production. It also helps reduce cost and locate ways that could simplify production and/or improve the quality of the finished product. Getting a CM involved early in the process provides the greatest chance of success.

Please contact us to learn more about our services for the aerospace Industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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