electronics assembly Archives - Means Engineering, Inc.

5-Axis Machining Increases Opportunities for Market Expansion

October 2, 2020 By cscheafer

Commonly used to produce complex parts for the aerospace, medical, automotive, and toolmaking sectors, 5-axis machines complete tasks quickly and accurately with only one set-up. Because of the unique capabilities, 5-axis machining makes it possible for companies to expand their offerings and venture into new markets. By taking advantage of 5-axis machining, companies increase their revenue opportunities and gain a better foothold in their market.

What is a 5-Axis Machine?

3-axis machines move a part in two directions while the cutting tool moves up and down. A 5-axis machine rotates on two different rotary axes, allowing the cutting tool to approach the part from multiple angles. This increases accuracy and allows machinists to produce complex parts with minimal effort.

5-axis machining is generally used for two applications: to create complex three dimensional shapes and for the conventional machining of tilted surfaces. The type of application determines the complexity of the machining program required.

Fortunately, recent advancements have simplified 5-axis programs. Typically, a machinist only needs to learn one application to complete each task. However, it’s important that only skilled machinists work with these machines. Depending on the application, a lack of experience and understanding could create serious problems with the finished product.

5-Axis Machine vs. 2-3-Axis Machine

Although many machinists work with 2-3 axis machines, upgrading to a 5-axis machine provides numerous benefits. 2-3 axis machines require multiple set-ups. With each new set-up, the chance of error increases. 5-axis machines allow machinists to complete projects with a single set-up. In addition to reducing the chance of error, 5-axis machining increases accuracy and ensures the consistency of every part produced.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see 5-axis capabilities under-utilized. Machinists need extensive knowledge and experience and the right software to create a cutting program that utilizes the CNC machine to its full potential.

Means Engineering Helps Organizations Increase Their Opportunities

Means Engineering recently acquired a 5-axis CNC machine. This will allow us to produce a wide range of complex products for our partners in the aerospace, defense, and medical industries. Our experienced team has received extensive training and understands how to properly utilize our new machine. Please contact us for more information about our 5-axis machining capabilities.

Benefits of 5-Axis CNC Machining

September 25, 2020 By cscheafer

Using computer numerical control (CNC) machining, manufacturers can complete three-dimensional cutting tasks with minimal effort. This important manufacturing process saves time, improves accuracy, increases worker safety, and boosts production volume. Depending on the type of material used and the complexity of the project, manufacturers may use CNC machines with multiple axes. It’s not uncommon to see 3 or 4 axis machines. While these machines provide a high level of precision for complex projects, better options exist. 5-axis machining enables machining of very complex parts, making it the ideal choice for aerospace, medical, and defense applications.

About 5-Axis Machining

5-Axis CNC machines move linearly along the XYZ axes while rotating along two of them. Using multiple configurations, 5-axis machines produce parts with intricate designs quickly with no additional set-up. This allows manufacturers to increase production while eliminating the chance of error caused by multiple set-ups.

5-Axis Machining Benefits

5-axis machines use higher cutting speeds, significantly reducing the amount of time it takes to complete machining projects. Because these machines use shorter cutting tools, less load gets put on the cutter. This increases cutter lifespan and reduces the chance of breakage. The shorter tool causes less vibration, increasing the quality of surface finishing and eliminating the need for hand finishing for most projects.

Using a 5-axis machine, manufacturers can complete prototypes and small runs in less time at a fraction of the cost. What used to take months to complete can be finished in weeks, allowing new products to reach customers sooner and at a much lower price point than previously possible.

When using a 3-axis machine, manufacturers must use a different set-up for each hole. This takes a considerable amount of time and increases the chance of error with each new set-up. Using a 5-axis machine, manufacturers can simply orient the head along the correct axis automatically, reducing the time and effort spent drilling holes.

Produce Complex Parts and Products Quickly

Means Engineering recently acquired a 5-axis machine. Used to create extremely complex parts and products for the medical, defense, and aerospace industries, this machine will enable our team to develop prototypes and products faster and with greater accuracy. Our 5-axis machine enables machining of complex surfaces, shapes, and angles in a single set-up. This minimizes handling, reduces production time, and ensures consistent quality, even for large or repeated orders.

Please contact us for information about our machining services.

Manufacturing During COVID-19 – Keeping Staff Safe

September 11, 2020 By cscheafer

The COVID-19 public health emergency has forced businesses around the globe to reconsider the ways they handle daily tasks and operations. For businesses in the manufacturing industry, leaders have had to implement important safety measures while preparing for increased uncertainty and long-lasting changes to the work environment.

Unlike a lot of other industries, manufacturing requires heavy equipment, machinery, adequate space, and often a controlled environment. This makes working from home extremely difficult.

In order to continue operations and ensure the organizations we support can continue to thrive in a struggling economy, Means Engineering has developed a COVID-19 response plan to ensure the safety and continued well-being of our employees.

At Mean Engineering, the health and safety of our staff has always been our top priority. We have been able to stay open during the public health emergency by implementing proper safety procedures. We also developed a COVID-19 task force. The main focus of this task force is to ensure the continuous safety and well-being of our employees.

In addition to implementing CDC recommended cleaning and sanitation practices, our COVID-19 task force monitors employee health, and implements additional safety measures as recommended by leading authorities.

Preventing the Spread of Disease Takes a Team Effort

At Means Engineering, our people don’t just help organizations create new products, they bring years of industry expertise and insight to the table. They offer viable solutions to a wide range of design and production development issues. Our people truly are what sets Means Engineering apart.

Our COVID-19 plan and task force were developed following Means Engineering’s core values. These values play an important role in every decision we make.

Passion – At the center of everything we do
Integrity– We hold ourselves to high standards and honor the commitments we make. We strive to embody integrity in all our processes, decisions, and interactions
Innovation– Innovation is in our DNA as a company. We are constantly developing and supporting new methods and ideas to build products
Quality– We are dedicated to quality and always strive to produce products that meet or exceed quality standards.
Ethics– We believe in doing what’s right for the customer, right for our employees, and right for the world

Every month, Means Engineering hosts company-sponsored events. These events allow us to unwind and connect as a team. We believe this is where innovation begins. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had to put these events on hold. However, we continue to show our appreciation to our staff through food trucks, cookies, and by providing them with plenty of Means Engineering merchandise.

Although life looks a little different now, we plan to continue to grow and adjust as a team. We believe this will strengthen our ability to exceed our customers’ expectations for both quality and service.

Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services and the steps we’re taking to keep our staff safe.

How the Internet of Things is Changing Healthcare

September 4, 2020 By cscheafer

Outcomes-based healthcare is quickly becoming the new norm. In fact, organizations that do not embrace outcomes-based health plans will soon fall behind their competition. A recent study conducted by Avalere Health, a leading healthcare consulting plan, found that outcomes-based contract discussions are up 25% among leading health plans.

For healthcare providers, making the switch from a traditional capital expenditure model to a usage-based system makes sense. This model allows providers to charge more competitively for services. However, for medical device manufacturers, this model represents a major shift from the way things have always been done. As more providers adopt an outcomes-based system, medical device manufacturers can no longer base their designs, development, and marketing on big-ticket equipment sales.

Another change, providers now expect medical devices to include embedded software and connectivity. An important feature, this enables patient health data collection and transmission to providers and healthcare networks. This is extremely important to the outcomes-driven model. Connected devices enable providers to view patient data in real-time, increasing diagnostic capabilities and improving outcomes for patients. The medical devices of today need to include numerous features and capabilities.

IoT Medical Devices Allow for Faster Diagnosis and Better Outcomes

The Internet of Things (IoT) allows providers to remotely monitor patients. This reduces downtime and increases the predictive maintenance efficiency of medical devices. By adding a variety of sensors, manufacturers allow medical devices to capture a wide range of data. This could provide a much more complete picture of patient health. Through machine learning and AI, devices and/or providers can react in real-time to changes to a patient’s condition or health.

Making Medical Devices Smart

While most medical device manufacturers understand the importance of making medical devices “smart”, many don’t have the tools, technology, or people to produce medical devices for rapidly evolving needs. Unfortunately, medical device manufacturers that cannot keep up with advancing technology will soon find it difficult to attract new customers or maintain existing accounts. The shift to IoT is evolving quickly and recent predictions show that healthcare related IoT will top $135 billion by 2025.

Organizations unsure of how to embed software and connectivity into medical devices could benefit from outsourcing to a competent and experienced medical device contract manufacturer. Means Engineering has years of experience and understands the complex and changing needs of the medical device industry. We have ISO 13485 certification and our team is dedicated to exceeding customer expectations for both quality and service.

When you work with Means Engineering, we work directly with your organization to ensure you fully understand every step of the process. Our services are scalable, ensuring a right-sized approach for each project. Following our core values: passion, integrity, innovation, and ethics, our team works together to complete projects on-time and on-budget.

Please contact us for more information about our services.

Staying Competitive in Today’s Market

July 17, 2020 By cscheafer

Recent events have led business owners scrambling for ways to recover lost revenue and business. For many OEMs, staff reductions and reduced income has significantly decreased production capacity. Unfortunately, organizations wishing to remain competitive and recover lost revenue need to ensure consistent market presence.

OEMs looking to bring new products to market require experienced staff, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and the space needed to store raw materials and finished products. They also need the right connections to ensure they can acquire the materials and components they need, when they need them. This is especially challenging in today’s market as many of the producers of raw materials are also attempting to increase production.

Outsourcing Provides Numerous Benefits

Partnering with a qualified contract manufacturer allows OEMs to access the tools, people, equipment, and technology needed to produce high quality products without the overhead of handling production in-house. CMs often have years of experience working with a wide range of industries. This not only ensures the quality and consistency of products produced, it also allows for future growth and expansion into new markets.

In addition to reducing costs and time to market, contract manufacturers typically have close relationships with raw material and component suppliers. This helps ensure continuous accessibility, even during uncertain times.

Outsourcing During the Design Phase Helps Catch Issues Sooner

Organizations looking create new products could benefit from outsourcing during the design process. An experienced contract manufacturer serves as a second set of eyes for design plans. In addition to spotting areas that might cause a problem, they may also suggest changes that reduce cost, simplify the manufacturing process, and increase quality.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of partnering with a CM is that it frees up time, allowing OEMs to focus on other important aspects of their business. This might be just what is needed to improve the chance of success during these uncertain times.

Southern California Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering provides contract manufacturing services to organizations across a wide range of industries. Our turnkey solutions provide peace of mind and enable OEMs to gain a competitive edge.

Please contact us for information about our contract manufacturing services.