Electronic Contract Manufacturing for Automotive Devices Industry
While provisions of electronic manufacturing services may vary from one manufacturer to another and each contract manufacturer may differentiate itself with a certain special offering, it is reasonable to expect a few key traits from any reputable electronic contract manufacturer. Below are 4 typical traits you would see in a quality contract manufacturer for automotive devices.
Today, most Automotive device OEM manufacturers require their contract manufacturers to attain IATF 16949 certification.
1. Experiences & Stability in Managerial & Technical Team:
A company with an experienced managerial, technical and manufacturing team that has a wealth of knowledge is vital. The more experienced the shop is the more hands-on they can be with new projects. Experienced manufacturing engineers are often able to quickly identify and offer alternate solutions when problems arise based on previous projects. They can help with "design-for-manufacture" (DFM) reviews, allowing an OEM to save time and money on production of individual components and subsequent assembly.
2. Tooling & 1-Source Solutions to Achieve Cost Effectiveness:
Tooling is what defines an electronic contract manufacturer’s capabilities as well as their limits. Having the machines and tools maintained properly is vital to producing quality products. A contract manufacturer is only as good as their production equipment and their technical team. Tolerance is the clearance range in size a component needs to be to allow a perfect fit into another component. The automotive industry is well known for its stringent tolerance requirements of a quality electronic contract manufacturer. Be sure the chosen contract manufacturer is able to meet the required tolerance of your products.
To achieve cost effectiveness, being able to offer both primary services (for example, engineering design and tooling development) and secondary services (for example, surface treatments for plastics and precision sheet metals, sub-assembly or box builds) in-house is critical for a contract manufacturer. This eliminates the shifting of your product from one manufacturer to the other, dismissing room for error, time lapses and extra cost on shipping and handling.
3. Being Able to Respond to Customers’ Demand Changes:
Quality contract manufacturers deliver manufactured goods on schedule, as was agreed. Nothing is more frustrating than a missed product delivery. It is absolutely essential that the contract manufacturer you choose to work with is agile, flexible and highly responsive to your demand changes.
4. Quality Assurance - IATF 16949:2016 (Formerly ISO/TS 16949) Quality Management System:
We saved the most important trait for last – IATF 16949 Quality Management System. Superior product quality remains our top priority. IATF 16949 Quality Management System is an internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system specific to the automotive industry. Based on the ISO 9001 process model concepts of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), Certification to IATF 16949 mandated requirements is critical for electronic contract manufacturers to continue to do business, deliver quality products, and continually improve.
ATF 16949 is designed to be used by organizations throughout the life cycle of an automotive device, from initial conception to production and post-production. It enhances product traceability requirements and supports latest regulatory changes. It reflects a strong commitment to continual improvement and gives OEM customers confidence in its ability to bring safe and effective products to market. It helps the electronics contract manufacturer manage risks effectively and gain competitive advantage.
In conclusion, cost-oriented manufacturing and cooperation with qualified suppliers allow a first-rate electronic contract manufacturer to consistently offer quality products that are tailored to customer requirements at competitive prices.
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