AS 9100 Archives - Means Engineering, Inc.

Ensuring Business Continuity During Uncertain Times

September 18, 2020 By cscheafer

Many OEMs struggle to achieve redundancy in their supply chain while keeping costs low. Unfortunately, redundancy can cost organizations a lot of time, money, and resources. Focusing on redundancy distracts teams from other important tasks, often delaying important development milestones.

Dealing with the Unexpected

Unexpected events can cause major problems for business continuity. This became apparent in recent months as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented OEMs and other businesses in the manufacturing industry from accessing the components needed to produce products and continue business as normal. In addition to pandemics, other events like fires, floods, and natural disasters can impact an organization’s ability to fulfill orders. The only way to mitigate the risks of these kinds of events is to develop a business continuity plan and partner with a contract manufacturer (CM) that offers redundant sourcing and manufacturing capabilities.

Unfortunately, many contract manufacturers have reduced or halted production during the global health emergency. This has caused major supply chain issues, impacting OEMs and numerous businesses around the world. For organizations supplying devices to the medical or defense industry, supply chain issues could mean the difference between life and death.

Outsourcing Helps Protect OEMs from Supply Chain Problems

When the unexpected occurs, organizations need a partner they can trust to help them continue business as normal. The right contract manufacturer helps organizations continue producing high quality products while making necessary repairs or moving their facility to a new location. When utilized on a regular basis, a contract manufacturer can offer assistance year round to help fulfill periods of high demand and help organizations as they grow and expand into new markets.

Outsourcing makes it possible for teams to focus on other important aspects of their business. This increases the chance of growth and success and gives businesses a competitive edge even during natural disasters and other events that impact the ability for most businesses to succeed.

U.S. Based Contract Manufacturing Services

From design to production and testing, Mean Engineering, Inc. offers a wide range of contract manufacturing services. Our team has years of experience working with a variety of industries.

In order to ensure continuous production and uninterrupted support for the companies that depend on us, Means Engineering has implemented a COVID-19 response plan. Aimed at preventing the spread of disease and keeping our staff safe, our response plan has become an important part of everything we do.

Please contact us to learn how Means Engineering can fit in your business continuity plan.

Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Trends

May 22, 2020 By cscheafer

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.

U.S. Based Contract Manufacturer

May 8, 2020 By cscheafer

Businesses around the globe are attempting to figure out how to recover and continue business as normal during this difficult time. Currently, many businesses that source components overseas are realizing that importing products is taking much longer than usual. This can create bottlenecks and lead to serious problems with order fulfillment. Unfortunately, the longer consumers have to wait for products, the less likely they are to order again.

Another major problem, many industries can’t access the devices and components they need. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like these sourcing problems will resolve anytime soon. This can create major issues, especially for necessary industries like medical, aerospace, and defense.

Benefits of Working with An American CM

Many people mistakenly believe that U.S. based production either doesn’t exist or costs too much. While U.S. made parts and products may cost a little more, companies can actually save quite a bit of money on shipping costs, cargo insurance, and customs fees. Another benefit of sourcing from the United States, businesses have more control over the quality of products produced and the production process. While it’s unlikely a business owner will travel overseas to view factory conditions themselves, traveling to a U.S. based manufacturing plant is much easier.

Working with a U.S. based contract manufacturer eliminates the language barriers commonly experienced when dealing with companies overseas. This makes it much easier for businesses to monitor progress and keep up-to-date with changes. It’s also easier to schedule meetings and calls.

Companies often find when partnering with a CM overseas that they must adjust their work schedule and come in early or stay at the office late to contact their contract manufacturer. This can lead to fatigue and place a lot of stress on both business owners and staff.

Carlsbad CA Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services to businesses across a wide range of industries. Our team has years of experience and utilizes the very best tools and technology to ensure the production of consistent, high quality products.

Means Engineering specializes in complex engineering projects. Please contact us for more information about our U.S. based contract manufacturing services.

Working at Means Engineering

May 1, 2020 By cscheafer

At Means Engineering, we believe our corporate culture is just as important as our design and build capabilities. That’s why we encourage each and every member of our team to take an active role in every project. In addition to ensuring team members have everything they need to complete projects in a timely and efficient manner, we strive to foster a friendly environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

You won’t find a drab factory floor when visiting our location in Carlsbad, California. Instead, you’ll find a bright and positive environment where everyone works together to complete projects as a team.

Technology

At Means Engineering, our leaders understand the importance of providing team members with the right tools to complete projects. We provide our team with access to the latest technology, machinery, and equipment. In addition to reducing the amount of steps needed to complete important tasks, providing our team with up-to-date technology allows them to complete projects faster and with greater accuracy.

Stability

The current COVID-19 pandemic has left everyone a little uncertain about their future. This is especially true for the thousands of people that have suddenly found themselves unemployed. As importing goods becomes less feasible or possible due to shipping and trade restrictions, more people and businesses are turning to U.S. based companies to fill the gap.

A proven leader, Means Engineering has the people, technology, and capability to produce a wide range of products right here in the United States.

About Means Engineering

Incorporated in 1996, Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services to businesses across a wide range of industries. Our customer base includes businesses in the semiconductor, aerospace, defense, and medical industries. An ISO 9001 and AS 9100 certified company, our team strives to provide consistent, high quality products.

As a premier Southern California contract manufacturer, Means Engineering has worked with numerous businesses with the design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. Our specialties include electronics engineering, precision machining, and complex box builds. Our experienced team has years of experience and appreciates complicated engineering and challenging projects.

Means Engineering was founded by David Means. A leader with a keen focus on quality and customer service, David still serves as our President today.

Employment Opportunities

Means Engineering is looking for dedicated individuals to fill a variety of roles. We encourage anyone passionate about electronics design and engineering to contact us about our available employment opportunities.

Choosing a Contract Manufacturer for Complex Box Builds

March 20, 2020 By cscheafer

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.