Technology Prototypes
and
Contract Manufacturing
UTSA CITE Boot Camp
Fall 2011
Outline
!! Technology
"!Definition,
!! Contract
Development, Types, Significance
Manufacturing
"!Definition,
!! Q
Prototypes
Process, Merits, Company Names
&A
2
Technology Prototypes
3
What is a Technology Prototype
Prototype is rudimentary model of a design
idea, built for a demo purpose or as part of
the development process
!! Multiple iterations of prototypes are used to
progressively refine the product design, by
!!
"! Exploring
design alternatives
"! Testing theories
"! Confirming performance
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Product Prototyping Phases
Build original
prototype
Evaluate
prototype
Abandon
project
Decide
on next
step
Further
revision
Prototyping
completed
successfully
Manufacture
system from
prototype
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Examples of Technology Prototypes
!! Hardware:
Concept Cars, Model
Airplanes, Breadboards
!! Software: Mock-up User Interface, Cockpit
Simulators, Alpha-Beta Test Programs
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Prototype of a Kitchen Appliance
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Types of Technology Prototypes
Role (Establish Use)
Integration
(Refined Design)
Implementation
(Working System)
Look and Feel
(Simulate User Experience)
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Prototype of a Barcode Scanner
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Case Study: Prototyping Design of an
Enhanced Audio Playback Device
!!
Embedded Digital Media Player (eDMP) system enhances
traditional audio playback devices by adding the ability to play audio
from networked digital sources, such as PC files, internet radio,
premium audio internet sites and USB storage devices
Audio Playback System
Embedded DMP System
Display & Controls
Audio
Output
System Controller
Audio Processor/
Switch
SPI /
UART
Wi-Fi
Media
Networking
Processor
Ethernet
PHY
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Prototype of Enhanced Audio Playback Device
Host
Controller
Connector
Ribbon
Cable
eDMP
Development
Board
Model Audio
Playback
Device
LCD
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Time & Cost to Build Working Prototype
!!
Time Spent: ~ 1 month
"! Research
requirements and order parts = 1 week
"! Assembly & Software development time = 2 weeks
"! Integration & Test = 1 week
!!
Material costs: ~ $700
"! Development
Board = $600
"! Host Controller = $29.95
"! LCD = $39.95
"! Power Supply = $5.95
"! The ribbon cable, connector and USB cable = $15
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How to Build a Prototype
Adequately
research
requirements
Identify parts
and steps for
assembly
Can it be
done
in-house?
No
Hire local
low volume
manufacturer
Yes
Finished
Prototype
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Rapid Prototyping (RP)
!!
!!
!!
!!
RP takes advantage of computer technology to turn
designs into three-dimensional objects
RP can greatly accelerate product development and lead
to high-quality, defect-free products by allowing various
people to see a model and have input without creating a
full-fledged prototype
RP has been used by automakers and aircraft
manufacturers for several years
Newer RP tools are variously known as conceptual
modelers, desktop modelers, and 3D printers
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Significance of Technology Prototypes
Shows potential investors and licensees how
the proposed product will work without having
to rely exclusively on diagrams and
description
!! Conserves time and resources prior to the
commitment of effort to construct a final
product
!! Refines product design to generate final
product specifications for production
!!
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Contract Manufacturing
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What is Contract Manufacturing?
!! An
outsourcing agreement where one
company custom produces parts or
complete products on behalf of their client
company.
!! As a result, the client does not have to
maintain manufacturing facilities, purchase
raw materials, or hire labor in order to
produce the finished goods.
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Contract Manufacturing Process
Hiring firm
sends RFQ to
several CMs
CMs
responds with
a Quote
All CMs
informed of
decision
Hiring firm
decides
on a CM
Quote
revision
Hired CM
produces/ships
products
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Why Contract Manufacture?
!!
Benefits
"! Lower
capital requirements
"! Lower labor cost – wages, training, benefits
"! CMs have efficient, deterministic and quality
production process
"! Companies can focus on their core competencies
!!
Risks
"! Costly,
if hiring company chooses wrong CM
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Who obtains any Regulatory Certificates?
!! Examples
"!FCC,
of Regulatory Certifications:
UL, Wi-Fi, CE
!! Contract
Manufacturer may be skilled in
these areas and can obtain certificates
!! You may have to support regulatory
testing, test submission and certificate
approval on your own
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Industries utilizing Contract Manufacturers
Aerospace
!! Defense
!! Computer
!! Semiconductor
!! Energy
!!
Medical
!! Food manufacturing
!! Personal care
!! Automotive
!!
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Sample List of Contract Manufacturers
Local
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
Maxim Integrated Products
– San Antonio
Pi Circuits – San Antonio
D C Electronics –
San Antonio
ECA Services –
San Antonio
DPT Labs – San Antonio
Benchmark Electronics -Angleton, TX
Cypress Industries – Austin
High Volume/International
!! Foxconn – Taiwan
!! Flextronics International
Ltd. – Singapore
!! Jabil Circuit –
St. Petersburg, FL
!! Celestica – Toronto,
Canada
!! Sanmina-SCI – San Jose,
CA
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Questions & Answers
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