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Engineering Technical Assessment

     Product development begins with a carefully prepared product evaluation protocol, addressing such issues as performance, service life and qualification. WD's extensive knowledge of the short and long term properties of materials and polymers comes in.  Our engineers will set up a thorough testing program to assure your product's reliability.   We also provide expert problem analysis.  Our expertise makes it possible to successfully and consistently provide an Enlightened Solution.

     Engineering analysis is used to qualify the design, functional performance and usability of a new invention, technology, innovation or existing product improvement.  Analysis may take on its various sub-disciplines, mechanical, electrical, electronic etc.  The research may vary from technical data to sourcing new products and technology offering engineering societies and networks.    Analysis tools include specific product research, new materials and manufacturing processing opportunities.   Engineering analysis is sometimes taken in depth into reverse engineering or qualifying how a product was made and of what materials and components, including manufacturing processes and assembly techniques.  Reverse engineering is considered a competitive technique as long as it does not infringe on existing patents or NDA’s.  Commercial research and development typically re or reverse engineer core components or technologies. This is why it is so important to get patent protection prior to public disclosure.  The competition is always fast to jump on a new market trend or technology with imitators. 

     In order to do this, the team must ask and get answers to the following manufacturing and production process questions:

  • How much will it cost to manufacturer the product - individual parts?
  • What type of processes will be used to manufacture the product?
  • What type of material is each part made out of?
  • What types of materials are used for the internal parts versus exterior?
  • What type of equipment is needed to produce the individual parts?
  • How much of each material is needed?
  • How much does each material cost?
  • How many workers will it take to produce and assemble the product on the production floor?
  • Machine Operator and support Assemblers - hourly costs?
  • How long is the production cycle?
  • Should this product be kept in inventory or produced as needed?
  • What are the fixed and variable costs?
  • What should the manufactured price be?
  • What should the wholesale price be?

    In order to answer these questions, based on available data, you must know and understand the Buyer and End User needs and working performance requirements, including behavioral properties under normal and extreme conditional use and environmental longevity of your product.   We recommend you work with an experienced Engineer, Manufacturing Representative and /or Manufacturer that has your best interests in mind which might not always be the same.  Molders want to mold plastic manufacturers and to produce. What they produce is up to you and your Industrial Design and Engineering team.   It is best to work through an ID firm like WhiteLight Design, who has a working knowledge of wide world design, CAD, materials and manufacturing processes and can apply them to your product as appropriate to deliver, as low a cost as possible. The following list is a basic breakout of the primary manufacturing processes with general explanations and considerations. See ManufE Key Vocabulary if you need a general reference point.

Competitor Analysis

     Competitor analysis in marketing and strategic management is an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and potential competitors. Created by Michael Porter competitor analysis focuses on four key aspects: competitor's objectives, competitor's assumptions, competitor's strategy, and competitor's resources and capabilities. In 1989 Garsombke created international competitor analysis framework adding components relating to the understanding of the international marketplace.

      One common and useful technique is constructing a competitor array.
The steps include:

  • define your industry - scope and nature of the industry
  • determine who your competitors are
  • determine who your customers are and what benefits they expect
  • determine what the key success factors are in your industry
  • Products
  • products offered, depth and breadth of product line, and product portfolio balance
  • new products developed, new product success rate, and R&D strengths
  • brands, strength of brand portfolio, brand loyalty and brand awareness
  • patents and licenses
  • quality control conformance
  • reverse engineering
  • Facilities
    • plant capacity, capacity utilization rate, age of plant, plant efficiency, capital investment
    • location, shipping logistics, and product mix by plant

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