Page 20


www.us- tech.com


May, 2017 ElEctronic Mfg SErvicES


chain options and control, staff, facility/process quality certifications, ITAR and security clearances (if applicable), and the facility’s location. Consider these important points:


l l l l


Does the manufacturer have the right mix of equipment needed to build the design?


Is the equipment well-maintained and the staff adequately trained to turn out quality products?


Does the company’s output potential match up with the quantity forecast, including possible surge requirements?


How to Choose the Best EMS Provider W


By David Raby, President, STI Electronics, Inc.


hen choosing an EMS provider, its capabil- ities must be carefully taken into account. Capability includes equipment, supply


making as well as customer references for similar- sized projects.


Selection Criteria Supply chain options and control are ex-


Are manufacturing and quality controls in place to meet or exceed product design and its end-use environment?


Every EMS provider has a certain vol-


ume at which they function optimally. Make sure your quantity forecasts hit somewhere near the middle of the manufacturer’s capa- bility. If the required quantity is near the maximum of the EMS provider’s capability, growth will be difficult. If the quantity fore- casts are near the bottom of its capability, there is the potential to be neglected and not receive the best customer service. Don’t de- pend on a sales pitch. A salesperson is just doing his or her job, and overselling runs rampant in the electronics manufacturing industry. Site visits are crucial for decision-


tremely important. As counterfeit components con- tinue to be a problem, working with qualified sup- pliers who can get the right products when needed, and at the right quantity and price is a challenge many face but few survive. Supply chain manage- ment is a must in today’s global markets. Staff considerations should also be matched


to product mix and requirements. These include the percentage of managers, engineers and skilled labor; project staff support requirements; EMS staffing structure; if the product needs to be certi- fied to a particular standard/specification; the EMS company’s staff training and certification; and your own specific needs. Perhaps the product requires a facility that is ITAR-certified, or has a Secured Facility rating. It may also require an EMS provider that is AS9100-registered, or on the QML for J-STD-001/IPC-A-610. If source inspection is a part of the selection process, location is a major factor. Being able to drop in and watch the product during manufacturing can provide peace of mind. Not being nearby can add to costs when in- evitable surprises come up, requiring one or more visits. Compare the total costs of a few trips


across town, or the country, with a few trips across the ocean and see how much, if any, difference it makes to the overall cost of the product. Obviously, price is always important.


An STI technician inspects PCBs for microscopic anomalies.


Make sure to consider the entire cost, includ- ing travel, shipping, returns, etc. Suppliers used to building high-quality and high-relia- bility products may cost a little more up front, but will save many dollars and headaches in the long run. Remember, man- ufacturing quotes do not always represent Continued on next page


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116