6 Simple Steps to a Successful
Connector Design Project
Use this six-step process when selecting a partner to help you deliver an on-time
and successful product to the market.
Research & Strategy Prototype & Pre-Production Product Delivery & Support
You want to partner with a company who
is willing to understand the environment
your product will live in. There are specific
materials that perform better than others
in certain environments. Your partner
should be asking you about the following: Before capital dollars are spent on
tooling, you should pay to prototype a
custom design. This prototype should
evaluate functionality and environmental
concerns. Many companies now have
3D printing capabilities in-house and this
helps keep costs and lead-time down.
Strive to hold a functional prototype in
your hands before cutting a large check
for production tooling. Just because the design is complete, and
production parts are delivered does not
mean the relationship is over.
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Temperature – high & low
Chemicals – are they corrosive?
Outdoor/Indoor environment?
Vibration conditions
And many more ….
Manufacturing
Additionally, a reputable design house
should understand your timeline
constraints and develop a plan to fit inside
your launch timeline. Make certain to visit the factory where
your connectors will be manufactured.
Things to look for are:
Design Engineering •
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After research is complete, you need
a connector expert with years of
engineering experience to ensure success.
A good firm will present more than one
option that fit your needs so that they can
be evaluated as a team.
A connector manufacturer with years of
experience will incorporate successful
elements from a multitude of past
projects to eliminate surprises down the
road.
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PECM Issue 34
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Cleanliness of the facility
Lean Manufacturing Principles
Employees that take pride in their
work
Systematic, repeatable processes via
machines and automation
Quality Assurance
Partner with a connector supplier
that implement processes to ensure
repeatable and consistent products from
delivery to delivery. Quality certifications
from third parties signal that the company
is serious about supplying a quality
product.
You want to find a manufacturer that will
support spikes in demand and keep your
production line up and running.
A valuable supplier continually evaluates
your business and suggests ways to
streamline delivery.
Be sure to discuss these six steps prior to
committing to a company – just because
you are in the early stages of product
development does not mean you need to
table discussions on manufacturing and
support.
Written by Rick Regole – Director, Sales &
Marketing @ iCONN Systems
iCONN Systems is an engineering design
firm that happens to manufacture
connectors – both custom and off-the-
shelf.
www.iconnsystems.com