Product Engineering

Even the simplest of products is comprised of multiple parts, components, subassemblies, enclosures, miscellaneous hardware and so on. Processes have to be run against each of these taking other processes into account. It's amazing how much goes into the simplest of items. This is where the most costs are incurred, and might we say, unnecessarily. So often it's a logistics nightmare coordinating the various sequences, trying to get the part you need, when you need it. Will part A be ready in time for part B?

Benchtop, Engineering, and Market Prototypes

What exactly is a prototype?

Prototypes let us verify the product before it gets to Production. These can take the form of working model representations made of plastics, wood, etc. By doing this, we get a feel for the functionality and visible appearance. Here's where we discover if a switch is too close to another, that the display needs to be moved over a little, which options work best, or that once in manufacturing, which unique problems could show up. Now we have something more to work with and we can keep the process flowing uninterrupted even while effecting ECOs.

Benchtop Prototypes are functional only and do not look like the finished product. They are all function but no form or fit and are usually not pretty to look at, in fact, they're generally downright ugly. Engineering Prototypes look exactly like the finished product but may not contain all the functions. These are used to verify mechanical or interface technologies prior to fabrication. On special occasions there is one last prototype to build prior to mass production. The Market Prototype is a one-up using the actual circuit board properly mounted, the real hardware, software, and all the artwork. In other words, one perfect unit ready to market. Once approved, we go to manufacture.

Documentation

As with the electronics, the product itself is fully documented. Blueprints, blow outs and cut aways, material lists, manufacturing, production and assembly procedures are all produced.

PTS can engineer your product so that once it goes to "press", all phases come together in the proper order at the proper time. No waste, no hassles. Precision Tracking Systems means as the name implies, that we use a System that Precisely Tracks your product from concept to finished goods and that is what Product Engineering is all about.

PTS Product Engineering Flow :

1. PTS Electronics receives customer criteria for a new project and submits a bid which includes the estimated turn time.

2. Product criteria is verified, questions are answered, and the design process begins.

3. Schematics for the electronics of your product are designed and breadboarded to verify product integrity.

4. A benchtop prototype and criteria checklist goes to the customer for functional evaluation.

5. Everything STOPS until we receive customer authorization to continue. This is where you make your changes, NOT after everythings been done already.

6. While the rough prototype is being evaluated by the customer, all the effortless but time consuming tasks that go into every project are done to optimize down time. This step by itself can and has literally saved as much as 50% of the turn time for most projects we've done over the last few years. Great attention to quality and detail are best performed here.

7. The word comes back to proceed. (Skip to #9)

8. The word comes back to effect changes (Go back to #1)

9. During item #6, the chassis and interior spaces were defined, with the specifications going to the design engineer to begin layout configurations for the circuit board once the breadboarded design has been approved.

10. Meanwhile, silkscreens are being set up, sourced parts are ordered, and manufacturing processes are organized.

11. As the board is layed out and the artwork is forwarded for fabrication, parts get ordered, and sub-assembly production and product packaging has commenced.

12. By the time the raw fabricated PCBs are done, parts have arrived, been inventoried and kitted up for assembly. Subassemblies, chassis, specialty parts have been completed and all that's left is final assembly and test.

13. Boards are assembled, cleaned, inspected, tested, and shipped.

14. Upon project completion (see "what you get back" ) all documentation and files are returned.

Depending on the project, the average turn time runs from 3 to 5 weeks although some take longer and many take less, again, it depends on the project. Of course, we'll be able to give you a very close projection once we have all the criteria.

This is orchestrated concurrent engineering. Each facet of your product integrates smoothly to create the finished good. Often, Product Engineering comprises fitting other designed subassemblies together on the computer to get a smooth fit from the start. Your input is the most important of all however. Aesthetically, you've had in your mind a picture of how this should look as well as function. With your input, your product will be as you envision.