Levison Enterprises Blog

Mitigate Parts Obsolescence in Medical Device Manufacturing with a DFM

Patients often rely on electronics to increase their longevity. Their lives depend on medical devices that have long lives of their own. However, parts obsolescence in medical device manufacturing can complicate this. Many electronic components have life cycles which are shorter than that of the medical device in which they are used. Obsolescence of electronic components is a common problem. Sometimes parts become obsolete before a product is even through production. Often the only chance manufacturers have to battle this is with forecasting and being proactive.

PFMEA: Evaluate and Optimize Your Electronic Manufacturing Process

In electronic contract manufacturing, we like to think failure isn't an option-even though that’s easier said than done. This means manufacturers must go the extra mile to protect your products, and can be accomplished by employing a process referred to as a PFMEA, or Process Failure Mode Effects Analysis. What is PFMEA? Process Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (PFMEA) is a proactive tool used to identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential weakness or failure modes in any given system. From its early stages of development with NASA, the PFMEA has evolved into an industry accepted methodology used across a variety fields from pharmaceutical, to military, to automotive.

Managing the Unmanageable: Parts Obsolescence in Electronic Manufacturing

Parts obsolescence is a problem that plagues the electronic industry. Life Cycles of products no longer fit together with life cycles of the components needed to manufacture them. More than 70% of the electronic components are obsolete before the system is even installed. This needs to be understood and planned for before a design comes off the drawing board. Reacting to parts obsolescence isn't going to cut it. The only way to succeed is to have a solid, proactive plan and impeccable supply chain management.

Quality Assurance Impacts Your PCB Assembly in More Ways Than One

PCBs are everywhere. They make up the vast majority of electronics people have incorporated into their daily lives, from cell phones to bluetooth speakers. As a result, an effective quality assurance program is imperative as PCB designs become increasingly more complex with smaller layouts. Quality assurance is defined as avoiding problems and preventing mistakes, defects, and flaws in manufactured products. To do this successfully, this quality assurance must be integrated throughout the entire printed circuit board assembly process. A lack of quality assurance exposes the company to serious mistakes, human error, manufacturing defects, wasted money, and unsafe products.

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 is the Great Vulnerability in a 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.

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.

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.

Prevent Counterfeit Parts in Your Aerospace Supply Chain

When you think about counterfeits, naturally your mind turns to fake $100 bills or pirated DVDs. Counterfeit goods can be produced to replicate anything of value, however, and show up wherever there is money to be made in their trafficking. Counterfeit goods are always an imitation of the original, in all things but quality. When counterfeit parts make it into the supply chain, they lead to significant degradation of quality overall.