Once prototyping leads to the conclusion that the created configuration is ready to be manufactured, the problems are not over. Quite the contrary, they have just started.
Manufacturing involves much more than buying components and assembling them on a board by placing them in an appropriate cabinet. Once the prototype works, you need to know if the parts that will make up the new product are available, and in the case of electronics, how the board should be manufactured.
Some important precautions must be observed if we want to market a product quickly and at low costs that allow them to compete with a possible similar product.
For this, the maker must make some important decisions. Analyzing the vast documentation on the subject that exists on the internet, we have collected some items which we take to our readers. As the subject is vast, we will have new approaches in other articles, as we have promised in the case of previous articles as well.
Decisions that must be made should begin with the impact that the production costs have on its availability of capital and also on the final cost of the product.
A first point concerns the choice of the mounting method. A faster method that includes automatic manufacturing in a specialized company may mean higher cost. Sometimes accepting a slightly longer timeframe can mean a lower cost for your product. An analysis must be done.
The type of wrapping to be used on your product components should also be carefully considered. It may be very cool to place components without terminals in BGA (Ball Grid Array) or QFN (Quad-Flat No-leads) enclosures, but this is only important if you need a very high degree of miniaturization. The cost of assembling these components is higher and requires more careful inspection.
Many recommend using components with terminals as in TSSOP (Thin Shrink Small Outline Package) enclosures and others.
The acquisition of components on tapes is another important factor. However, you must have a supplier which guarantees you not only price, but delivery time and reliability.
We have the experience of working with Mouser Electronics that provides manufacturer certified components and not only that, within standards which may be critical to the quality of your product and where it will be sold, as well as ongoing support.
Clearly, the preferred technology should be the surface mounting. The surface assembly requires cheaper components and the mounting is automatic. If you need to install either component that has terminals which have to be welded through the board (Thru-hole), consider whether this entails a lower cost. If the quantity to be manufactured is small, assembling these components can be done by yourself, thus reducing the manufacturing costs.
It is customary that in a project of a certain complexity, the components are mounted on both sides of the board (double-sided). Analyze the number of components that go to the second side, since working with two sides has costs: twice the manufacturing process.
Thus, if only a few components go the other way, the additional cost may not make up for it and keeping a single-sided board, even larger, the savings can make up.
Another important point refers to the software that you can use to obtain the board that must be industrialized. Although, there are fantastic softwares in resources and with excellent end results, many are very expensive
If you are a new company and your product is still small to have a greater investment at this point, use existing softwares, especially the free ones like PCB123 to develop your final board.
Finally, when choosing the company that will manufacture your product, you should take into account factors that may or may not mean the success of its launching, especially if the company in question is outside your country.
When choosing the company, keep in mind that engineers in the country you are in may not speak your language and even English in a way that allows simple communication of any problems you may need. This can happen, for example, with Chinese companies.
Many advertise that they manufacture in small quantities, however this has a cost. Some Chinese companies manufacture for large companies and in gigantic quantities absorbing the best engineers. So small businesses that can supply in small quantities don't get the best engineers and this can mean a lot in terms of product quality and communication.
Finally, consider the possibility that there is a company that is manufacturing a similar product at the same place at a much lower cost, making it impossible to compete with yours.
Finally, at this stage of the creating process of a new product, care should be redoubled. Analyze very well what you are going to do and if you can exchange ideas with who has been through this, it is very important.
Attending maker events, brainstorming online, and following specialized literature is critical to the success of your product.
