The Product Development Process - Notes

This article is an overview for how new products come to market.  This is Engineering Notes ofThe Product Development Process.

Process Notes - Time, Cost and other Considerations

Engineering
Process Notes

This page is a collection of thoughts and notes pertaining to The Product Development Process, and particularly about getting new products made.These notes are in no way a definitive guide, but they are only an overview.  They come as answers to questions we often receive and are in no particular order.

Pleaselet us knowif you have additional questions or comments.  Perhaps there is something more we should include in these Engineering Process notes?  We welcome your input.

Product Requirements / Engineering Specification

One of the hardest, yet most useful parts of the process is the definition of requirements.  If you understand the goals (including governmental and customer needs) it is easier (and cheaper) to design the product specifically to meet them.

(官方)下载At Synthesis, we often ask our customers to list the product requirements.  Some may be obvious depending on the type of new item, but it is always best to have a list of goals.  Products made without such as specification are likely to miss some important details.

Like going on a trip without a map, theProduct Development Processrelies on knowing the information within the Engineering Specification.  Don't short-cut this process.SeeStep 2 - Requirementsfor a lot more information.

Market Research

Learn your market.  Really, and don't pretend.

Perhaps this is a waste of electrons on your screen, because too many people think they know, when they really only know a piece.  Learn your market, and be honest about it.

If you have an honest understanding for customers, competitors and the quantity of your product that will sell, it is so much easier to make decisions about design, and therefore, about manufacturing processes.  Most importantly, knowing what to expect will guide all your business dealings.

Do your Market Research, or hire someone to do it for you.

I say this for your benefit, because products made for markets that don't exist usually don't sell well.

The Manufacturing Cost Continuum

There is a whole continuum of cost, timing, design and quality trade-offs when it comes to Manufacturing.  The choices are almost limitless.  Decisions on processes are best guided by quantity, cost and timing.  It is important to explore the various options as part of the engineering specification and design phases.

As an example, if the design has a product made for plastic injection molding, but the volumes are small (like 1000 pcs), the tooling is much different than if volume is high (100,000's).Actually, small volumes are often more cost effective in a different manufacturing process altogether.  Furthermore, it is usually better to change the entire design to optimize for lower quantity manufacturing methods.

Manufacturing Cost/Benefit Continuum

This is a simple graphic to explain about choosing the ideal manufacturing methods.  As the number of products made changes, part cost changes - which often means the manufacturing process should change.  That brings changes in NRE, and the speed for which parts are made.

Factors in Products Made that Affect Cost:

(Reference the Continuum Chart Above)

• Time plays a huge part in the overall cost of a project.  If you are on a tight time table, you will pay a premium for "instant attention" from most vendors.  If the timetable extends (a little), the costs of engineering, tooling, and other things go down.  Thetimedifference from "go as fast as humanly possible" and a "just keep things moving" might be 10% or 20% (time) - but the financial cost can easily double.  Weigh carefully the factors involved in timing.
• When time is really important, considerTime Compression Technologies.  Time Compression is a buzz word in prototyping and low(er) volume manufacturing.  This is really applying the technology of moving very quickly from design to parts.  As an example, a typical injection mold takes 8 to 12 weeks.  In time compression arenas it is drastically shorter.  An example is in this image.

  

  We helped develop a process to assist with parts where time from design to component is just 2 or 3 weeks - from start to finished injection mold parts.  There are trade-offs, however, and most have to do with cost.  Basically, you pay less for tooling, but more per part, and these molds can't produce thousands of parts efficiently.
  There are a few different technologies that can accomplish really fast parts and all have both advantages and drawbacks.  It is, what it is - products made like this are perfect for some situations, but impractical in others.
• Volume changes the paradigm of part cost and NRE (tooling, fixtures, etc.).  These are significant.  Depending on the product, there are almost always ways to reduce part cost by investing more in manufacturing technologies or production methods.  As an example, metal parts are made in a number of different ways (assuming a reasonable volume).  On a scale starting with lowest up-front investment:
  • Fabrication or CNC machining have little or no investment (assuming you are hiring out to a machine shop), but higher part cost.Volume is also a limitation.
  • By investing in fixtures, CNC programming, etc., the machining cost per part goes down significantly, and potential volume capability goes up.
  • If parts are Sand Cast before machining, cost goes down further, but the cost of tools for the casting and post machining both go up.
  • Die-casting requires a significant investment for tools, but the cost per part is less - sometimes drastically less.
  • The next step adds automation.  Again, up-front investment is even higher, but the cost of each part goes down as speed increases.
  An Important Item of Note:  Design of the part is different for each of the above cases.  Choosing the right process up front minimizes the time and expense of redesign for a different process. Secondly, opting for something entirely different, like converting to a stamping instead of a casting might really be the ticket.  Explore your options.
  The examples above are an illustration of possibilities.  Machining is not usually considered against fully automatic die casting, but it shows the point with respect to the cost continuum.  If a lot of parts are needed, especially if they are complex, automated die casting can be effective.  If only a few parts, automated die casting isn't even a consideration.
  Plastic parts follow the same thinking pattern.
• Complexity is another big factor.  Generally, the more complex products made or the more complex a part, the more it will cost.  Careful design, and design optimization will reduce cost.  Sometimes this is simplifying parts!Or, designing parts for a simpler or less costly process;  Sometimes it is eliminating parts by having other parts do multiple things.  That is an area where(官方)下载can really help.
• For small companies (and inventors) the best choice is starting small (with technologies and manufacturing methods of low investment) to develop and explore the market.  As you discover a significant market draw for the product (higher quantities), different choices for manufacturing can be made - and hopefully funded by sales of products made.
• (官方)下载Going to the right source for the right information is key in finding the elegant solution, and thereby reducing complexity, cost and timing.  At Synthesis we espouse the concept of working with vendors early in the design process so their input is fully considered and incorporated.  We do not claim to be experts at everything, but we know how to find experts, and we know how to bring together input from different sources.  Some people call thisConcurrent Engineering, We call it(官方)下载"SYNTHESIS"- "bringing the pieces together for a coherent whole."
• The manufacturing location has big effect on cost.  China, for instance, has low cost manufacturing.  That typically works for high volume situations, sometimes with great benefit, but there are trade-offs, many.  Learn about the trade-offs before jumping in.

Factors in the Process that Affect Timing:

• As mentioned above, a good understanding of product requirements are the best way to save time.  Just knowing what target to shoot at keeps the team from wandering around and having to "redo" the work.  It also does a lot to keep the team interested and excited.
• Available resources (like money and expertise) play a huge part in timing.  In many cases, more money can reduce the time to completion, but it has a diminishing return.  All the money and all the experts in the world can't reduce the time to zero.
• Time compression technologies (see above) are a great way to reduce the time moving into production.  This is a great way to shorten time, but usually comes with a price of both dollars and quality.
• In cases where timing is the driving force, quality suffers.  I always approach things with an eye of skepticism when timing is the overall driving force -"I need it done right now at any price, or not at all!"
• Concurrent engineering or(官方)下载"Synthesis"is a great way to reduce the time of a project.  It also brings together more good brains which usually makes for a better overall product.  This approach does not carry to extremes very well because management issues can over cloud the benefits when a team gets too big.
• Choices for vendors can significantly affect timing.  A good vendor can bring the products made home on schedule, while an over ambitious vendor can end up with all sorts of issues that consume extra time.

Costs in Certain Manufacturing Processes:

Getting Products Made (Highly Generalized!)

As mentioned above, there is a continuum in trade-offs for price depending on expected volumes and up-front tooling costs (NRE).  (See the graphic above.)  If volumes are low, simple tooling works – (which usually means higher piece price).  If volumes are really high, then complex (usually very expensive) tooling (such as multi-cavity molds, progressive dies and/or automation) bangs out millions of parts at the lowest possible price – and there is a whole spectrum of technology in between.

Below are some more common manufacturing techniques - very loosely described with respect to our discussion.  I suggest a quick web search to learn a lot more about them.

Plastics:

• Injection Molding:  This is one of the most common processes.  When quantity is high, part cost is relatively low (from pennies to a few dollars).  However, up-front tooling costs can be high ($10,000 - $100,000 or more) with relatively long lead times (8 - 12 weeks typical).  This process is especially good for high volume production, and for complex shapes.
  Time compression injection molding (discussed above) can significantly reduce the tooling costs and lead time, but it's a trade for higher part costs and limits in production quantities.
  Examples of products made via Injection Moldinginclude most plastic parts you see every day.  Your computer mouse, plastic cutlery, many consumer devices, toothbrushes, etc..
• Blow Molding and Thermoforming:  These processes are typically very good for lower quantity and larger (size) parts.  They have their place and their trade-offs!and like injection molding, they also have a spectrum of price trades.  One of the biggest trade-offs is materials, because not all plastics work in these processes.  Fortunately, that is getting better with time.
  One of the key benefits of these processes is the ability to have "closed" parts - something that can't be done in injection molding without post processing.  Another really good thing with Thermoforming is the ability to use really inexpensive molds (for very low volumes).  Even wood molds are available, though they have a shorter life.
  Examples of products from Blow Moldinginclude water bottles, larger children's toys, coolers, etc. Thermal Formpart examples include blister packaging, trash cans, appliance panels, etc..
• Rotational Molding:  This process is typically for low quantities because of the long processing time, but it's a great process to accomplish unique geometry not possible with other processes.  Finished parts are hollow, and must meet some specific requirements, so it's best to design for this process if you need the characteristics.  Parts can range in size from small to very large.
  Examples of products from Rotational Moldinginclude chemical processing linings, aircraft ducting, structural storage tanks, etc..
• Extrusion:  This is a fun process where near molten plastic is pushed through a hole of a particular shape to give a long piece that is the same shape all along.  These long pieces are then cut to length.  Compared to their size, extrusion parts are typically quite cheap, and the tooling (dies) are not too expensive either.  If a part has a consistent cross-section all along, and if you need a lot of them, extruding is a good option.
  Examples of products from Extrusionsinclude moldings and trims, slide rails, pipes, etc..
• Automation:  Although this is not a method of manufacturing, automatic operations like robotics add (for an up-front price) to any of the above processes to increase quantity and reduce per part cost.
  Examples of products made with Automation include almost everything with really high volume.
• There many other processes for plastics.  These are just a few of the most common.

Metals:

• Fabrication:  This process is best described as "cut and weld" - though it is not limited to that.  This is a great method for prototyping, but generally very expensive (done by hand) for making production parts.  However, with the right tooling (like stamping dies and automatic welding) it yields components that perform in ways like no other process.  Also, with automation, it is one of the least expensive methods of producing complex metal parts.
  Examples of products made via Fabricationinclude car body panels, bicycle frames, etc..
• Machining:  Usually low (or no) tooling costs, but has higher piece prices.  Starting with a block of material (metal, plastic and other materials), nearly any shape is machined.  Machining is great for prototypes that will eventually process some other way like casting.  The addition of CNC programming and fixturing speed up the process and reduce the per part cost (for the right quantities).  One big advantage for machined parts is they turn out full strength - obviously dependent on the material.  Other processes like heat treatment are easily added to achieve desired properties.
  Examples of products made via Machininginclude many car parts, pieces inside appliances, tools, etc..
• Stamping & Forming:  As one of the fastest ways to produce large quantities of parts, stamping is extensively in many industries for parts of all sizes.  The process basically cuts out, forms, bends and shapes sheet stock.  There are several technologies available to meet various requirements, and costs vary depending on need.  Tooling is usually quite expensive (especially for progressive dies and big parts), but piece costs are typically quite low.  From a design standpoint, there are a lot of specific requirements with stamping to accomplish the result.
  Examples of products made via Stamping & Forminginclude springs, kitchen pans, many aircraft parts, etc..
• Forging:  Though this process does not usually make finished parts, it is used a lot to press metal to "near net shape", then machine easily into the final components.  A forge basically smashes metal into a shape.  Sometimes it's with a huge hydraulic press, and sometimes by dropping a massive weight on the die.  The big advantage of forging is strength of the final parts.
  Tooling is typically very expensive with long lead times, yet forging is cost effective for strong parts with a complex shape - for higher quantity.  Perhaps you've seen "Drop Forged" on your hand tools?
  Examples of products made via Forginginclude shop tools, cutlery, many aircraft and car parts, etc..
• Casting:  Much like injection molding for metal, this process makes complex parts fairly cheap.  Variations in this process from sand casting to wax casts to die casting change the cost of tooling, and affect both lead times and part prices.  This process is typically for parts of greater complexity.
  Examples of products made via Castinginclude your Barbecue cover, many car parts, some jewelry.
• Extrusion:  Just like the process in the list above for plastics, this process works with metals too.  Both tooling and parts are more expensive for metals, but still quite reasonable for the part size.
  Examples of products made with Extrusionsinclude moldings and trims, tubes, banisters, etc..
• Lots more:  There are literally thousands of ways to bend, form, cast, machine or otherwise shape metal, and the choice of processes is entirely dependent on the individual situation, volume and especially component needs.

Others:

• Wood:  I'll assume most people know Wood when they see it.  A variety of wood types are available and they are shaped, glued, and cut into almost any shape.  Tooling is typically quite cheap, but most processing is labor intensive.This can make piece cost can be quite high - comparatively.
  Examples of products made via Woodinclude furniture, decorative accents on household items, etc..
• Foam:  This includes both soft and hard, sheet and formed.  It is used as a filler or pad inside something else, or as a lightweight core or filler.  Interestingly, the processes are much like those above for stamping, heat forming, molding, and even CNC machining!
  Examples of products made via Foaminclude cushions, vibration and noise damping, walls in offices and tiny homes, toys, etc..
• 3D Printing:  Perhaps this method should be listed under plastics?  Or not, because some methods use paper or metals.  It makes a great way to create prototypes, for sure, but it is also making strong in-roads with production manufacturing.(官方)下载At Synthesis we use3D printing for complex partsin many ways.
  Examples of products made via 3D Printinginclude complex aircraft ducting, unique cases, very low volume plastic parts, trinkets, etc..
• Electronics:  This is mentioned simply because electronics are more and more common in everyday products.  However, we'll not go into detail for manufacturing.

We have listed above some of the most common processes along with examples including metal and plastic and a few others.  These cover the areas where we get the most questions.

There are, of course, hundreds of processes for these and other media like glass, carbon fiber (and other composites), fabric, etc..  It is not our intent to document or even start to pretend we are experts in all those fields.  However, we know experts that will get us to the right point if needed.

For more engineering process notes and how it may apply to your particular product, pleasegive us a call.

Concluding Thoughts ...

There is a lot to learn about in the Product Development Process, and even in just these engineering process notes.  It's not something to get your arms around in an afternoon, nor an expert after doing it once.  Technology is constantly changing, and so are the products made.  Have an open mind and be flexible to new ideas.  In addition, here are some things to help make the process go smoother:

• First- Don't underestimate the value of a good plan (see Product Specification - Step 2).
• Second- The financial impact of going into production is typically large, so get things in order.
• Third- Know your business.  Do the market research to know the volumes you can expect to produce.  That will drive the design as well as manufacturing - ultimately driving your success.
• 第四- Make sure you have some guides along the way to help you avoid potential pitfalls.  In ourStartups Article, we call them "Sand Pits".

We Wish You Good Luck In Your Ventures!

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