Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

What’s More Difficult to Source & Build: Toys or High-Tech Devices?

By Carli Evilsizer | April 2, 2015

Share

Article written by Jack Daniels, East Bridge Engineering 

We were recently approached by a new customer who asked for assistance with qualifying suppliers of toys, some designed from scratch, some modified standard products an then guiding the build cycle. Knowing that we source many high tech products, he asked if EastBridge was interested in supporting their offshore procurement activities. This got me to thinking, what’s more difficult: manufacturing high tech products or “low end” consumer products, such as toys?

Please see a comparison of the process below:
Screen Shot 2015-04-02 at 3.26.35 PM

 

 

 

 

 
When we’re tasked with building a high tech products, we generally can depend on the vendors, our customers and us speaking a common (engineering oriented) language, being able to mutually follow understandable specifications and applying well defined & proven manufacturing methods and quality standards to the process.

For fast moving/low cost consumer products (think something you’ll find in a big box retailer or at the local dollar store) the process isn’t quite so well pinned down. Even if the vendor is mid sized, it’s unlikely that they’ll have much process engineering depth, well written SOPs, quality infrastructure or significant control of their supply chain.

This segment is characterized by mom & pop proprietors… Long on gumption, short on discipline. While it’s bad for strain gauges, printed circuit board assemblies and peristaltic pumps to be defective or fail in the field, it’s really (REALLY!) bad when a low cost baby or juvenile product hurts a kid.

This all translates into high tech products being “easy” to build and consumer products being a “challenge”. If you’re in this market, best to expect a bumpy ride.

Check out more here: http://www.eb-intl.com/blog


Filed Under: Design World articles
Tagged With: East Bridge Engineering
 

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

Hirschtick on the cloud, CAD, and the future
china-manufacturing-future-image
Is China’s manufacturing future in trouble?
Drone-mounted inspection breaks barriers for F-35
TriStar, a misunderstood failure of design

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard
  • The Importance of Industrial Cable Resistance to Chemicals and Oils
  • Optimize, streamline and increase production capacity with pallet-handling conveyor systems
  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development

Design World Podcasts

June 12, 2022
How to avoid over engineering a part
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings