Levison Enterprises Blog

Successful ECMs Streamline with a Continuous Improvement Process

Remember the proverb "waste not, want not?" It means if you use a resource carefully and without extravagance, you will never be in need. Now, look at that philosophy from an electronic contract manufacturing standpoint. Could you trim some fat from your bottom line? There is nothing quite as frustrating as wasting time, money, and resources. This is especially true in electronic contract manufacturing. This is why top ECMs use a continuous improvement process. This approach to manufacturing identifies inefficient processes that lead to waste. Every member of the team works toward the common goal of reducing waste by identifying and correcting ineffective processes. Eventually, the savings will trickle down to you.

ECMs are Redesigning Medical Devices to Mitigate Parts Obsolescence

Medical devices diagnose diseases and prolong life. They have come a long way since they were first introduced more than a century ago. And while technology allows for a continuous push for smaller and more powerful medical electronics, the real issue for aging medical devices is component obsolescence. The current medical device regulatory landscape is extremely sensitive to this risk.

Best Practices for Designing Rigid Flex PCB

There is a big demand for electronics to get smaller while becoming more sophisticated. This has designers relying heavily on flexible PCB boards. Rigid flex PCBs often fit the bill. With a rigid flex PCB, you get the strength of the rigid board while enjoying some advantages of the flexibility and versatility found in flex PCBs. This allows you to occupy less space and use fewer wires, cables, plug-in connections, and solder joints compared to traditional boards. However, rigid flex PCBs do come with some challenges you’ll want to keep in mind when determining if rigid flex is the best choice for your printed circuit boards. Here are some guidelines you will need to follow:

The Importance of PFMEA in Electronic Contract Manufacturing

In any manufacturing process, there are bound to be issues. From design to prototype to manufacturing, problems can arise, and the failure to address them early can cost you in both time and money. To best mitigate issues like this, implement the Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis (PFMEA) to help streamline your approach.

Flex Circuit vs. Rigid Circuit: Which is Right for Your Project?

Gone are the days when a printed circuit board was only available as a rigid board that allowed for minimal design versatility. The introduction of flexible PCBs into electronic manufacturing has opened up limitless design possibilities. While using the cutting edge technology of a flex circuit seems extremely appealing, sometimes utilizing a traditional rigid board might be better. Which one you use for your project will vary based on a number of considerations, including the end application.

Obsolete Parts Present the Greatest Vulnerability in Counterfeit Supply Chain

Counterfeits are everywhere. The electronic industry is particularly vulnerable. Electronic technology is rapidly changing, and sometimes it is hard for companies to keep up. The need to regularly source parts or complete a rapid redesign due to parts obsolescence only increases the risk of fakes making their way into your product. It may seem like an uphill battle, but taking time to employ stricter counterfeit electronic component detection and avoidance methods could be the key to ensuring high-quality in your next project.

Management of Parts Obsolescence in the Medical Device Industry

Parts obsolescence is already a big problem in the electronic industry. The fast pace of medical device development only compounds the trouble of hard to source components. Technology--especially medical technology--moves forward rapidly. And, in some cases, parts become obsolete before the final product is even finished. Essential parts become impossible to source. However, this does not mean your cutting-edge medical device has reached a dead end. Finding the right medical device contract manufacturing partner can do a lot to mitigate the issue of parts obsolescence.

Your Guide to Flex PCB Types

The electronics industry is constantly evolving. There is a constant demand for products to do more in a much smaller package. Luckily, technology in the form of a flexible printed circuit board allows this to happen. Flexible PCBs are designed for saving room and allowing for a smaller and higher density mounting design. Because they can bend, fold, twist, and change in width, flexible circuit boards provide some major benefits over traditional rigid boards. This includes the ability to fit circuits into tight spaces with almost unlimited design freedom.

Parts Obsolescence Continues to Cause Headaches in Electronic Manufacturing

The electronic manufacturing industry has been battling the problem of parts obsolescence for decades. In an environment where the lifecycle of a component is shorter than the lifecycle of a product, part shortages lead to other headaches. Counterfeit electronic components entering the supply chain is one of the biggest issues resulting from hard-to-source parts. Manufacturers often find themselves scrambling to obtain parts, and when this happens it makes them particularly vulnerable. The key to combat this is by making sure steps are in place to minimize risks by practicing counterfeit electronic component detection and avoidance.

Benefits of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board Design

Rigid printed circuit boards are just fine for a number of applications, but depending on how you choose to utilize the PCBs, you may need to take it to the next level. That's when flexible PCBs enter the picture - they give you the ability to really custom-tailor your next PCB project, moving innovation and design forward.

How Serious is the Impact of Counterfeit Parts in the Aerospace and Defense Industry?

Government supply chains are constantly under siege by counterfeit parts. Over the last decade, even through vigilant efforts, there has been a marked increase in the number of counterfeit parts found in everything from aerospace to defense electronics. It's not that nothing was being done about the problem. Instead, counterfeit parts became harder to detect, as well as becoming more sophisticated. The danger they posed to government contractors and end-users became no less intense.

How to Choose the Right Cable Assembly Company for Your Project

The electronic industry comes with a lot of choices. Choosing the right manufacturer to partner with on a project shouldn't be a stressful situation. Sure, there is a wide variety of custom cable assemblies and cable assembly manufacturers to select from. You need a contractor that will not just meet your needs, but also considers quality, cost, production time, and reducing the chance of cable defects into the job. Here are some things to look for when choosing the right cable assembly company for your project.