Beyond Contract Manufacturing: The Power of Engineering Support in Maximizing Product Success
By Lori Runyan
VP of Program Management
Companies looking to outsource equipment manufacturing typically focus either on contract manufacturers or full design and manufacturing services. However, there is a better way to serve customers who fall between these categories.
Contract manufacturing is a complex process that requires:
- A mature design
- Complete and accurate build documentation
- Detailed operating procedures
- Clean bills of materials
Unfortunately, many customers are missing one or more of these components, which can lead to errors, delays and cost increases during production. For older equipment designs, components that are end-of-life and no longer available can cause significant procurement and design replacement challenges.
That’s where a company with engineering support can be of immense value. The combination of design and manufacturing expertise enables them to create a production-worthy design based on the original design intent and help create the necessary documentation and design support for a successful product launch.
Questions that Reveal Documentation Maturity
In my experience, companies often believe their documentation is sufficient until we take a closer look.
A detailed checklist with high-level project level questions can help establish the general readiness of the documentation. The right questions include:
- Has this tool been built before? Provides insight on design verification and documentation completion.
- How long ago was this equipment designed and built? Design and builds over 1 to 2 years old may suffer from end-of-life component issues, and trouble finding design engineers or technicians who can answer critical questions.
- Who built it? Prototypes built by engineers at start-up companies tend to have little if any documentation, or incomplete BOMs with parts bought on Amazon or at the hardware store. Systems built previously by a larger OEM manufacturer may have more documentation.
- How is the equipment tested? Will provide insight into success criteria.
Once documentation is received, a detailed review of BOMs, drawings, schematics, and procedures will complete the picture. This level of attention to detail can make all the difference in the success of a product launch.
If you’re missing key components for a successful equipment build, consider working with a company that offers both engineering support and contract manufacturing services. Such additional expertise can help identify and bridge any gaps to ensure a successful outcome.
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