AS 9100 Archives - Means Engineering, Inc.

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.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

Ensuring High Quality Products

December 13, 2019 By cscheafer

Thanks to increasing demand and rising consumer expectations, manufacturers today are under extreme pressure to create new products. Modern day consumers expect more features and functionality than ever before. They also expect a constant stream of new products hitting the market. This is especially true for the electronic device industry.

In order to stay competitive, manufacturers must continuously create and release new products that include the features most desired by consumers. These products must meet extremely high expectations for quality. No one wants to purchase an inferior product, especially a higher priced electronic device. In addition to consumer dissatisfaction and loss of business, problems with quality could lead to dangerous device malfunction and recall. Manufacturers will want to do everything they can to avoid these types of issues.

Quality Testing an Important Part of Production

Manufacturers must ensure that all products pass rigorous testing for quality. Testing parts and components prior to assembly can help locate issues sooner, when they’re easier to fix. This can save the manufacturer a significant amount of time and money. It also helps the manufacturer locate areas of the design that could benefit from improvement.

Contract Manufacturer Help OEMs Increase Product Quality

Companies looking to increase the quality and consistency of products produced can benefit from utilizing the help of a contract manufacturer. While OEMs often turn to CMs to help fill periods of high demand, the right CM can also help reduce production costs and ensure the creation of high quality products time and time again.

Experienced CMs, like Means Engineering, have years of experience producing a wide range of products. These companies have a Quality Management System in place to ensure every product meets strict requirements for quality and consistency.

Means Engineering uses advanced equipment and techniques to test each product and component. This testing allows their experts to catch issues sooner, before they are able to affect the quality of the finished product. Using thorough evaluation and testing, Mean Engineering’s team can even locate ways to reduce costs and improve product quality.

Please contact us to learn more about our comprehensive contract manufacturing services.