Factors to Consider While Selecting Key Part Components for Electronics Device
As designers and developers start to layout their product design and the system specifications, they need to select the components that make up the system. In the rapidly expanding category of IoT devices, designers must pay attention to the right components to use. Cost is an important consideration but should not be the determining factor of choosing the right components. Finding reliable and reputable sources for your component needs should come first. This comes into further significance when you decide to move your project to the final phase of taking the product to MP (Mass Production).
1. BOM is the Essential Piece
Designers must be aware that in order to achieve success, we need to do some basic things. That being said it is very important to use good quality components with emphasis on reliability. It is so hard not to fall into the trap of choosing the cheapest components in order to make the product saleable at the lowest cost. Any designer must take into careful consideration of selection of their components to complete the system but also must be very aware of the BOM (Bill of Material).
2. Follow the Process
The choosing of the right components to designing and developing your project is about following the product development process. For all developers, the expectation that requires some simple guidance in achieving a successful product should follow actually some simple rules. In previous blogs we talked about the process of EVT, DVT, PVT and MP.
In choosing the right components that make up your design, you need to start with a process we will introduce called a Product Procurement Specification or PPS.
3. Designer Prototype Sample – EVT
EVT stage is the phase that an initial prototype or evaluation sample is needed and provided. This is where the PPS sent to the OEM that would most likely provide for a sample. Some designers choose to create their own PVT samples and with the invention of 3D printing there exists such opportunities to create prototype tooling for the ME portion of the design. So combining with selecting the right components now the issue of ME also is included.
Before the designer starts to complete the production process the beginning of design and development starts with setting the expectation of the PPS. What also goes hand in hand is the result of an RFQ (Request For Quotation) from the OEM to address BOM. Cost is a very important detail to track from the beginning of the project design. Often designers especially new ones do not understand what BOM cost and its true effect on the final MSRP (Manufacturer Selling Retail Price). Consumers will buy based on price alone but it’s up to the designer not to fall in the trap of using low cost components that are unreliable or worst case fake components to meet cost needs.
4. Product Procurement Specification Guidance
The picture below shows the example of a PPS (Product Procurement Spec) and the actual RFQ (Request for Quote) that the OEM can use to make this process efficient. A PPS/RFQ as shown will breakdown into sections all the pieces that make it easy for the designer and developer to sync up with the OEM. This really combines the technical with providing business concerns on knowing what the BOM (Bill of Material) expectation. Of course this becomes a living document in which both the designer and OEM feedback to one another as the process goes from EVT to MP. This example attached is focused on a LED Lighting fixture device. The basis of a PPS/RFQ is to define requirements. These are the following sections that make up the PPS.
Key Component Requirements:
1. Electrical/Power
2. Mechanical
3. Environmental
4. Packaging & Accessory
5. Regulatory
6. Quality
7. Documentation
8. RFQ and Signature pages.
Let TECHDesign Help You Find the Best Solutions
Choosing right components is the first step to ensure a good design. But choosing the right components to work together and reliable is a must if you are going to go to MP. TECHDesign can make this process happen and provide new designers an opportunity to take their product to market more efficiently and at the right cost. TECHDesign experts can help to take the new designer from initial start to lay the foundation of from the beginning.
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It really helped when your guide described the key steps we must take when choosing part components for an electronic device. For the past few months, my brother and I have been working on a new prototype. We’re ready to build it, but we lack some parts, so we’ll follow your tips to design an efficient product.
Thanks for reaching out. We’ll keep it up!