I have pushed many companies to ensure manufacturing pilot runs take place before they go into mass production. It makes a lot of sense for electrical & mechanical products that are either totally new or new for that factory that is about to work on them. However, I frequently get questions about what to expect, and what to test & inspect... … [Read more...]
Deliverables Buyers Should Get When Developing A New Product [Podcast]
![Deliverables Buyers Should Get When Developing A New Product [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/DeliverablesBuyersShouldGetWhenDevelopingANewProductPodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
In this episode... When you develop a new product what deliverables should you be getting during the new product development process in order to assure that your product will make it mass production with the minimum of risks and at the required quality and safety standards? Renaud Anjoran explains the various deliverables, such as your BOM, control plan, validation testing, and more, that you can expect to gain that represent milestones during the NPD process. Just hit the play … [Read more...]
From Prototype to Production: 7 Pitfalls for Tech Products
If you have already done the hard work of building a look-alike and work-alike prototype, congratulations! However, there are still these 7 most common pitfalls you have to avoid while going from prototype to production... … [Read more...]
New Product: How Many Builds before Mass Production?
When a new product is made in a factory for the first time, there are always uncertainties. And going straight into a large production batch is risky. Many issues can cause that first batch to be a disaster, including: One of the materials/components is not up to standard, or some parts don't fit together as planned The operators, or the inspectors, haven't been trained and make mistakes Some of the operations can't be done as planned in a consistent manner Some of the … [Read more...]
Why Pilot Runs Are So Important [Podcast]
![Why Pilot Runs Are So Important [Podcast]](https://qualityinspection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/WhyPilotRunsAreSoImportantPodcast-1140x445.jpeg)
Pilot runs aren't just a 'good idea,' they're a must when manufacturing new products as you are about to find out... Renaud and Adrian from the team explore an important part of the new product launch process: pilot runs. In this episode, they'll be exploring the following questions: What is a pilot run, why is it so important when bringing new products to market, and what are the benefits we can expect when performing them before going into full production? After listening you will see … [Read more...]
Why a First Article Inspection Can Save an Entire Production from Quality Issues
Planning the start of production so that a first article inspection can be performed before the rest of mass production takes place... That's not something the average Chinese factory does, unfortunately. However, under the right circumstances, a first article inspection (FAI) can save an entire production from disaster. Here's how... … [Read more...]
Helping a Chinese Factory Improve While Still Holding Them Accountable
You might discover that helping a Chinese factory improve makes sense if you have quality requirements that are challenging to one of the factories you work with, or if you are working with them to develop a complex new product. Actually, it sometimes makes very good business sense. Spending 10,000 USD might save your company 1 million USD in the end! And yet, there is a point where you can't keep "helping" them all the way, as they start to take the habit of being "baby-sat" and they … [Read more...]