Competent DFM, Documentation, and Scalable Production Success Story

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Columbia Tech

EMC had a Deadline

EMC Corporation is a leading global technology company that develops, delivers, and supports information infrastructure and virtual infrastructure technologies and solutions. Markets include information storage, content management and archiving, RSA information security, and virtual infrastructure solutions. Columbia Tech is a pre-production design and engineering firm known for assisting innovative companies to bring products to market in a timely and cost effective manner. Columbia Tech is also the capital equipment contract manufacturing specialist providing turnkey manufacturing solutions for entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 Corporations, and all segments in between.

Objective

Needing the job done right and on time due to a previously set product global launch date, EMC contacted Coghlin Companies. EMC wanted Coghlin Companies to cost-effectively and expeditiously take an existing design of their Clariion Mobile Test Unit, improve the Design for Manufacturability (DFM), reduce the unit cost, add functionality and features, and prepare it for scaled manufacturing. Coghlin Companies was ready with its engineering talent, expertise in DFM, global supply chain, scalable manufacturing and extensive logistics experience.

Project Launch

To kick the program off, EMC provided Columbia Tech a one-off working unit, some very basic documentation, and comments from their internal customer’s on what they would like to see in the next generation design (Next Gen). Shortly after kick-off, Columbia Tech engaged with key engineering and technical resources at EMC. In a collaborative manner they gathered feedback and identified the most critical enhancements to meld into the next generation design, keeping in mind what would be the most cost effective and timely manner. Results were then presented as a “go forward plan” to EMC.

Speed to Market

After a series of very productive design reviews, Columbia Tech began the re-engineering work incorporating the improvements, releasing the docs, and ordering parts. This was achieved on a quick turn basis and within a very short period of time. Then Columbia Tech promptly built and delivered the 3 proto-type units to EMC for field evaluation. After a 60 day field evaluation, additional feedback was provided by EMC’s skilled technicians and engineering team members. Final changes were made by Columbia Tech’s engineering team accordingly. EMC approved the final documentation package for production.

Capital Equipment Contract Manufacturing

Now, the challenge was production. EMC also commissioned Columbia Tech to provide a turnkey manufacturing build of over 100 test stands. The product contained thousands of unique part numbers. It had to be produced under a stringent quality management system, utilizing IPC Certified technicians, in a 90 day window. The 90 day window was required as there was a scheduled global launch. During the material procurement cycle, aggressive prices were negotiated with fabricators and commercial part suppliers. Simultaneously a custom work-cell was developed. AutoCAD and Digital images with Word Pictorials were blended to ensure a well documented, easy to understand build sequence and process. Also, key technical associates were trained to produce the products.

Manufacturing Expertise

Columbia Tech manufacturing engineers oversaw every step insuring the product being built and delivered to EMC was exactly what EMC had approved. It was. The required fast production time was achieved too. Upon completion of the build, the Master Documentation Package was reviewed and signed off on by EMC. Columbia Tech then turned over all intellectual property, assembly procedures and engineering documentation related to the program to EMC in an organized electronic file. This provided EMC with the ability to have Columbia Tech replicate the build cycle whenever demand required additional production.

Success

For EMC, outsourcing the DFM, documentation and manufacturing was a success. EMC engineers were able to focus on developing new technology while Coghlin Companies’ prepared EMC’s current technology for production and then manufactured the product optimizing the core competencies of both companies. EMC correctly leveraged Coghlin Companies’ diversified engineering staff, global supply chain, flexible manufacturing bandwidth, and technical capabilities to cost effectively deliver a required product on time before a scheduled product launch. By using Coghlin Companies, EMC stayed in control of their manufacturing project while also having time to continue working on new projects.

From Concept to Commercialization, you can trust Coghlin Companies with all of your design, engineering, prototyping, capital equipment contract manufacturing, logistic, field support and refurbishment requirements. Coghlin Companies provides Concept to Commercialization services to entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies and all segments in between. With each of those segments Coghlin Companies has earned a reputation for dependability, versatility, and quality. Success has been the result of Coghlin Companies’ ability to establish a close partnership that generates significant value and ROI for each client. What are your organization’s needs? How can Coghlin Companies help you achieve your objectives?

Coghlin Companies can help you design, engineer, and manufacture your product too. Make your vision a reality and prosper.

What can Columbia Tech do for you?

Contact Columbia Tech today to discuss your organization's needs and aspirations. Columbia Tech can help you grow, thrive and profit.