carlsbad Archives - Means Engineering, Inc.

Top Myths About Working With a Contract Manufacturer

March 29, 2019 By cscheafer

The right contract manufacturer can help your business grow and expand into new markets. A CM acts as your partner, providing a number of services designed to compliment your business and improve customer satisfaction with your brand. Unfortunately, many people go into this partnership with unrealistic expectations. This is due in part to the large number of myths about working with a contract manufacturer. We have listed the top three myths and why you shouldn’t believe what you hear. This is important if you want a successful relationship with your CM.

Always Go With the Lowest Quote

While you might think that selecting the contract manufacturer with the lowest cost per unit is the obvious choice, this isn’t always the case. It’s important to find a contract manufacturer that provides consistent, quality results. They should employ a team of professionals able to create a wide range of products for a variety of industries. This is important if you wish to expand into new markets in the future.

It’s also important to note that the price per unit only captures about 70-80% of the cost of production. Several CMs will add various fees and charges to the final number. Select a contract manufacturer that is up front about the total cost of production. This can save you a considerable amount of trouble later.

Never Work With a Contract Manufacturer That Builds for Your Competition

It’s important that OEMs find the most capable and compatible contract manufacturer to work with. Often times, this will be the same CM their competition uses.

R&D Can Handle Production

Managing manufacturing and the supply chain requires the skill and experience of professionals. Although companies often try to include manufacturing under development, this usually doesn’t pan out well. Companies that attempt to handle everything in-house without the management tools and experience needed rarely succeed.

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services for businesses both large and small. Our services include design, production, and testing of a wide range of products. We employ a team of skilled professionals, each experts in their field. Please contact us if you would like more information about our services.

Is it Time for Your Business to Use a Contract Manufacturer?

March 22, 2019 By cscheafer

Every business owner has the dream of creating the perfect product. However, making this dream a reality is often much harder than believed. Taking an idea from prototype to production can take years of expensive trial and error for companies that attempt to handle the manufacturing themselves.

Sometimes companies find they simply do not have the people or resources needed to keep up with demand. This is especially true for organizations responsible for the creation of electronic parts and components.

For most businesses, giving up simply isn’t an option. These businesses can benefit significantly from enlisting the help of a qualified contract manufacturer.

Experienced contract manufacturers have the tools, equipment, and knowledge needed to create high quality products. These companies often have years of experience and employ industry experts, each prepared to provide their assistance if the project requires. Contract manufacturers take extra care to ensure products are completed to exact specifications and requirements. When involved in the design process, they can even suggest ways to reduce costs and increase the quality of the finished project.

There are a few things you’ll need to consider before seeking the help of a contract manufacturer:

Will People Buy Your Product?

Perform market research or ask people through social media whether they would be interested in your product. This can help ensure you create something consumers actually want. Consider asking your contract manufacturer what they think of your product. Accept their suggestions for adding or removing features to improve the functionality of your product. Remember, these are industry experts with years of experience.

Design Improvements

Even if you’re absolutely sure your audience will want your product, it’s always a good idea to have your contract manufacturer look over your design plans. As mentioned before, an experienced contract manufacturer will know how to make improvements that could end up saving you a lot of time, money, and hassle in the future.

Choose a Partner Over a Provider

The right contract manufacturer will ensure a long-lasting relationship with their clients. This is mutually beneficial for both parties. Select a contract manufacturer that can help your business grow and expand over time.

Cyber Attack Awareness – What you Need to Know

March 8, 2019 By cscheafer

Cyber-attacks are on the rise. Attacks are becoming more sophisticated putting organizations of all shapes and sizes at risk. It’s important that organizations learn all they can about the risks of cyber-attacks and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Several industries have implemented rules and regulations to help address the rise of cyber-attacks. These regulations aim to increase the security of electronic devices to prevent attackers from gaining access to sensitive information. This is especially important for organizations creating products for the defense and medical industries.

Companies that produce products for the military must take care to ensure that products comply with the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and other compliance standards. Organizations that do not ensure compliance of all of the products and components face multi-million dollar fines and possible jail time.

Ensuring ITAR Compliance

Any company that manufactures, sells or distributes goods or services covered under the United States Munitions List (USML) must be registered with the State Department’s Directorate of Defense trade Controls (DDTC). These companies must understand and abide by the ITAR as it applies to their USML linked goods or services.

Unfortunately, many businesses fail to meet compliance with the ITAR. This is often due to the fact that ITAR is full of complications that make it easy for companies to make mistakes.

It’s important that organizations take the time necessary to ensure proper licensing of all of the products they produce. These organizations need to invest in training someone in-house to handle the complex compliance process.

Partnering With an Experienced Contract Manufacturer

Organizations that do not have the time, knowledge, or resources needed to ensure compliance can benefit from partnering with an experienced contract manufacturer.

Contract manufacturers understand complex regulation requirements. They have the people and processes in place to ensure compliance with a number of industry standards. Means Engineering has extensive experience designing and producing parts and products for the defense industry. Our team ensures compliance with ITAR and other industry regulations. This protects your company from costly fines, and protects users from cyber-attacks.

Effect of Temperature on the Lifespan and Reliability of Electronics

March 1, 2019 By cscheafer

Electronic devices must be able to perform in a variety of environments. This is especially true for electronic parts and components used by the medical, aerospace, and defense industries. Serious consequences can occur if electronic devices used by these industries fail.

Electronic Design

Reliable electronics begin with efficient design. Designers must consider the type of environment where finished products will be used. This helps determine the appropriate materials, components, packaging, and necessary cooling techniques.

Temperature Control

All electronic components are subject to failure due to overheating. Any increase in temperature can result in a reduced lifespan. This includes increase in temperature due to ambient temperature of the environment, heat produced by the device itself, and the product’s efficiency at heat removal.

There are numerous methods of temperature control. It’s important that designers and manufacturers consider these methods when creating new electronic devices and components. Common cooling techniques include free convection cooling, forced air cooling, and liquid cooling. Each method offers its own unique benefits. The type of cooling technique used will depend on a number of factors based around the intended use of the finished product.

Electronic Device Production

Organizations responsible for the creation of electronic parts and devices for the aerospace, medical, or defense industries must take care to ensure products do not fail due to excessive temperatures. This can be difficult to accomplish without the knowledge, experience, and equipment needed to test products in extreme environments.

Partnering with a quality contract manufacturer can help these companies produce high quality products able to withstand even harsh conditions. Contract manufacturers provide a variety of services including design, production, and testing. At Means Engineering, our testing capabilities allow us to expose electronic parts and devices to a variety of environments. We can test products for reliability underwater, in space, and in extreme temperatures. This allows us to ensure that electronics do not fail when they are needed most.

Our designers can help you determine which cooling techniques your device requires. We have access to the latest tools, equipment, and technology. This makes it possible for us to produce reliable, long-lasting products for a variety of industries.

Is Your Contract Manufacturer Providing the Support You Need?

February 22, 2019 By cscheafer

Contract manufacturers provide a wide range of services. While your reasons for using a contract manufacturer can vary, it’s important that the relationship is beneficial to both parties. A contract manufacturer should provide your company with a variety of services designed to reduce costs and time to market.

The right contract manufacturer has access to the people, equipment, and resources needed to help your company create new products and expand into new markets. This is important as it provides the tools needed for growth and success.

When selecting a contract manufacturer to work with, you’ll want to find a partner that can provide you with the services you require.

Flexibility

Depending on the needs of your company, it’s a good idea to select a contract manufacturer that offers a variety of services. While you might not require design services yet, your needs may change. Choose a company that offers a variety of options. They should have experience with multiple industries and access to the latest equipment and techniques.

Your contract manufacturer’s limitations should never affect your business. It’s important to choose a contract manufacturer with the team and quality assurance systems needed to meet the changing needs of your customers.

Scalability

Whether you own a start-up or a large corporation, it’s important to choose a contract manufacturer that can help you grow your business. Look for a quality contract manufacturer that offers a variety of services from assistance with design plans to full scale production and testing of a wide range of products. Even if you don’t need the additional services now, you’ll be grateful later when you do.

Diverse Technology

Consumers expect more out of electrical products than ever before. It’s important to work with a contract manufacturer that keeps up to date with the latest technologies and techniques. This helps ensure customer satisfaction and allows you to produce a wide range of complex products.

Means Engineering Inc. offers quality contract manufacturing services for organizations of all shapes and sizes. We have experience working with a variety of industries. Our capabilities include design, production, and testing of a wide range of parts and products.