Electronic Devices Archives - Page 4 of 15

Strong Partnerships Provide Numerous Benefits for OEMs

July 3, 2020 By meiadmin

When it comes to the successful design and production of electronic devices, strong partnerships can make all the difference in the world. Partnering with a qualified and experienced electronics contract manufacturer ensures quality assembly, on-time delivery, and continuous success in a wide range of markets.

Increased Quality and Consistency

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of working with an experienced contract manufacturer, it provides access to industry experts. These professionals often have years of experience producing multiple products and components. Through trial and error, they are well positioned to provide valuable insight that OEMs can use to make informed decisions.

When utilized during the design phase, contract manufacturers serve as a second set of eyes for design plans. In addition to helping locate areas of the design that could benefit from improvement, CMs can improve product quality and reduce the cost of production often by making simple adjustments.

Increased Customer Satisfaction

Consumers have extremely high expectations when it comes to the quality and functionality of electronic devices. OEMs often find it difficult to meet or exceed these expectations as technology changes at such a fast rate. Partnering with the right CM can put OEMs ahead of their competition. CMs help reduce time to market and ensure optimal quality and functionality of products produced. CMs have access to all tools, people, equipment, and technology needed to produce even complex devices and components.

Reduced Costs

Outsourcing costs far less than acquiring the people, space, and equipment necessary to produce new products in-house. By enlisting the help of a quality CM early in the process, OEMs can reduce the chance of costly mistakes and rebuilds. CMs can generally tell if there will be a problem long before they begin production. This isn’t always possible when producing products in-house.

U.S. Based Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services to OEMs and other organizations wishing to increase quality, reduce time to market, and remain compliant with industry-specific requirements. We work directly with each of our clients throughout the entire process to ensure all devices and components meet necessary guidelines for quality, functionality, and delivery.

Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

Industry Certifications – Why They’re Important

June 26, 2020 By meiadmin

You have many things to consider when choosing an electronics contract manufacturer. Although you’ll probably spend some time negotiating price and other important aspects of your contract, electronic manufacturing certifications should remain non-negotiable. These important industry certifications ensure the CM you work with meets rigorous quality expectations as required by the industries they serve. Without proper certification, the CM simply cannot guarantee quality or that the product produced meets industry-specific regulatory compliance standards.

General Certification – ISO 9001

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certificate shows that the contract manufacturer has implemented and maintained a quality management system. This certification is internationally accepted and proves that the CM consistently meets customer requirements and continues to strive to improve product quality.

Medical Device Industry Certification – ISO 13485

ISO 13485 is required for a CM to design and/or produce devices for the medical industry. This important certification ensures the CM has effectively implemented and maintained its quality management system. It also ensures the CM implements certain controls and protocols to ensure product safety.

I order to achieve ISO 13485 certifications, contract manufacturers must meet specific requirements for testing, inspection, and product traceability.

Aerospace Industry Certification – AS9100

Aviation Space (AS) 9100 certification encompasses all requirements for ISO 9000 as well as additional aerospace industry-specific quality and safety standards. In order to receive AS9100 certification, a CM must display an emphasis on risk management, adopt proven production processes, and pass an AS9100 audit.

Final Thoughts

When selecting a CM, it never hurts to ask to see their certification documents. CMs that have taken the time to obtain industry-specific certification are generally happy to provide this information on request. If the CM tells you otherwise, or fails to provide the appropriate documentation, it’s probably best to take your business elsewhere.

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to organizations across a wide range of industries. We are proud to hold several industry-specific certifications including ISO 9001, ISO1 3485, and AS9100. Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

Benefits of Reverse Engineering

May 28, 2020 By meiadmin

Companies wishing to improve the quality of products produced can benefit significantly from reverse engineering services. At Means Engineering, our team has access to the latest tools and equipment. Through extensive knowledge and experience, they are able to design and produce products for a wide range of industries. We utilize the very best quality management system to ensure every product and component meets or exceeds industry standards for both quality and efficiency.

Understanding Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering refers to the process of extracting knowledge and design information from electronic products and devices. During reverse engineering, an experienced professional takes apart a product or device to analyze how it’s made and how it works. They can then use this information to create an improved product or component. This process can prove especially beneficial when the production of crucial components is discontinued.

Why Reverse Engineering?

Regardless of industry, there’s always room for improvement when producing products. During the course of production, components can break down and become hard to replace. Through reverse engineering, OEMs can recreate parts or create component prints for future design if the original drawings become unavailable.

Reverse Engineering Benefits

Reverse engineering provides numerous benefits. In addition to providing valuable information about electronic devices and components, reverse engineering enables manufacturers to improve the efficiency, power, and quality of finished products.

OEMs that utilize reverse engineering services save themselves a considerable amount of time and effort. Reverse engineering could save OEMs months on design plans. The time saved can then be used to improve existing designs. This increases customer satisfaction and improves the chance of repeat sales and referrals.

In addition to saving time, reverse engineering can extend the life of older devices. Rather than starting fresh with a completely new idea, OEMs can use this valuable service to recreate components or parts that are no longer available.

Contract Manufacturing Services

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to organizations and OEMs looking to reduce costs while improving the quality and consistency of products produced. Our team has the tools and experience to assist with all parts of production from design to testing. Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Trends

May 22, 2020 By meiadmin

Companies around the globe turn to electronics contract manufacturers to help them produce new products. Utilizing the help of an ECM not only saves money by reducing overhead, it can also improve the quality of products produced. This has multiple benefits including increased customer satisfaction.

OEMs may hire an ECM to help them complete different tasks throughout the manufacturing process. Depending on the needs of the organization, OEMs may partner with an ECM at any stage of production. Rising demand for electronics parts and components have made EMS providers a valuable asset to organizations of all shapes and sizes.

Although ECMs are not a new concept, companies around the globe are finding increasing value in utilizing their help. The following are the top EMS trends.

Product Design Outsourcing

In today’s competitive market, OEMs must look for unique ways to improve product quality. They must also focus on keeping costs and production times reasonable. It’s not uncommon for OEMs to enlist the help of an experienced ECM during the design phase of the project.

Typically, the OEM will pass along existing design plans to obtain a second opinion from the ECM. This can prove extremely valuable, as it provides a fresh set of eyes on the project at hand. Through thorough evaluation and vast knowledge and experience, the ECM can typically locate areas of the design that could benefit from improvement. The results of this evaluation may reduce costs, improve production times, and increase the quality of the finished product.

Manufacturing Integration

An increasing number of OEMs are looking for cross-industry horizontally integrated service providers. Although needs can vary from one industry to the next, this type of partnership could mean the difference between success and failure for the OEM.

While some OEMs might outsource the entire manufacturing process, others will only outsource parts of production. Increasing demand from OEMs has led to many ECMs offering a one-stop solution which includes design, engineering, and manufacturing of electronic devices and components under one roof.

Southern California Contract Manufacturing

Mean Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to OEMs and organizations wishing to increase their product selection and their bottom line. Our electronic manufacturing services include design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. We work directly with each of our clients throughout every step of the process to ensure optimal communication and a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with our clients.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

Electronic Manufacturing Services

May 15, 2020 By meiadmin

Electronic manufacturing services, also known as EMS, are the services provided by electronics contract manufacturers (ECM) for OEMs. Although services offered can vary from company to company, they generally include the design, assembly, production, and testing of electronic components and printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Businesses of all shapes and sizes utilize the help of ECMs to produce finished products and/or electronic components. Depending on the needs of the OEM, the ECM may be contracted during any stage of production. Some companies only use ECMs for design, while others use them for full production of a wide range of products. Occasionally, companies may partner with an ECM to fulfill periods of high demand.

Regardless of the type of EMS required, contract manufacturers provide significant value. In addition to helping improve the quality and consistency of finished products, ECMs also help reduce costs and time to market.

Design Services

When utilized during the design phase, ECMs can act as a second set of eyes for design plans. This can help OEMs spot potential problems or locate areas that could benefit from improvement. Often, the changes made by ECMs during the design phase improve quality and optimize production.

Companies can hire a contract manufacturer to look over existing design plans or to create the design plans themselves.

Manufacturing Services

Electronics manufacturing includes the creation of various electronic products. ECMs often have access to advanced technologies and newer equipment and machinery. This puts them in the best possible position to produce a wide range of products.

Because businesses do not need to locate and obtain the people, space, or equipment needed to produce products, using an ECM can significantly reduce the amount of overhead for OEMs. In addition to reducing the costs of production, utilizing the help of an ECM allows businesses to grow and expand into markets they may never have accessed on their own.

Testing Services

Companies may utilize the help of an ECM for testing components or products. ECMs often have access to the best tools and technology, and many have quality management systems in place. Although the type of testing required varies from one industry to the next, the most common types of testing offered by ECMs include:

Agency Compliance Testing
Analytical Laboratory Testing
Automated Optical Inspection
Environmental Testing
Functional Testing
In-Circuit Testing
X-Ray Testing

Southern California Electronics Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to OEMs and other businesses looking to reduce costs and increase the quality of products produced. Please contact us for more information about our ECM services.