A Few Important Value-Added Services in Electronics Manufacturing
The electronics industry is driven by several challenges such as evolving technology landscape, shrinking profit margins, and global competition. In response to these challenges, electronic manufacturers are being driven to outstretch their limits, and improve their technological, as well as time-to-market capabilities. Quality and price advantages are two important prerequisites to succeed in the marketplace. In addition to these, electronic manufacturers are also trying to take a lead by offering several unique value-added services. They understand that these services will help them acquire new customers, retain existing customers as well as distinctly differentiate themselves in the crowd. Now you may be intrigued to know what these value-added services are. Although these may vary across various manufacturers, this post discusses a few important ones for your quick reference.
Know about Various Value-Added Services Offered by Electronics Manufacturers
There is an abundance of variety when it comes to value-added services provided by electronics manufacturers. The following are some key value-added services commonly provided by manufacturers:
- Wire Processing & Harnessing: Many electronics manufacturers specialize in manufacturing and distribution of industrial wires. They strive to meet the requirements of their clients by providing services such as cutting, stripping as well as termination of a wide range of wires. Some of them also provide kitting services which involves creating working combinations of assemblies and wires, which are further encased in a bag for shipping.
- Control Panels Designs or Builds: As known, control panels are designed to control various industrial equipment. Each control panel has a unique design, and features a set of devices that allow an operator to control specific equipment. Many electronics manufacturers specialize in customized control panels that combine various pneumatic, mechanical, and P&ID schedules while conforming to CSA and UL508 requirements.
- Electromechanical Assemblies: These assemblies feature a combination of mechanical and electrical components such as cable harnesses, switches, panels, and printed circuit boards, which can perform a wide variety of tasks. Their typical application is in control systems, power distribution devices, AC and DC both, as well as computer interfaces. Owing to their complex designs and configurations, these assemblies demand manual structuring, which is a time-consuming process. A typical electromechanical assembly process involves rigorous testing and inspection, as well as a wide range of production processes right from circuit layout, soldering to surface and through-hole mounting of components.
- Cable Assemblies: Comprising a group of wires or cables, these assemblies are widely used for transmitting power signals. This term is applicable for a wide range of products including jumpers to super high-speed data cables or heavy duty power cables used in various applications. Most times, the cables are grouped together in desired lengths as well as orientations to create quick installations. These assemblies are used in mass production across various industries. Several electronics manufacturers also provide cable assembly services that meet Mil-Spec and NEMA requirements specified by their clients.
- Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Assemblies: A PCB assembly is made of several electronic as well as mechanical components such as conductive tracks, pads, conductors, and so on. PCBs are integral to several electronic devices. Today, you can easily find several manufacturers who specialize in design and manufacturing of high mix low volume, as well as prototype PCBs under tight delivery schedules.
- Engineering Services: Today, many electronics manufacturers are being approached by OEMs to fuel their new product ideas. They are also taking advantage of different value-added electronic services provided by electronics manufacturers such as Design for Manufacture (DFM), which helps control the manufacturing costs as well as improve time-to-market capabilities.
If you are looking to partner with an electronics manufacturer for your next project, it is important that you check their validity for any of the above-mentioned services. Today, you can easily find several manufacturers specializing in some of the above-discussed services; however, not all of them may be reliable. Electronic Expeditors, Inc. (EE) is one of the leading providers of passive electromechanical as well as electronic components, and they specialize in most of the value-added services discussed in this post.
