Electronics Product Development

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Masters in electronics design & prototyping

EEA's electronic product design came from us designing our own precision data loggers for use with the mechanical products back in 2010. We now have specialists in-house developing world-class electronics and software.

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Product Feasibility

High level electronics subsystems

We help clients assess their product requirements and devise a high level arrangement of subsystems to suit, using our well established library of parts.

We then look at what the Bill of Materials (BOM) cost would potentially be, as well as the amount of work, or Non-recoverable Engineering (NRE) costs, to take a design to working product.

From there we can compare the potential sales income to the expected manufacturing and NRE costs over the life of the device to help our clients understand if their product is viable.

If the product is viable, a client can choose to have us help in the next stage of the process.

Design

Through design of our own systems as well systems for clients, we have a range of working electronics subsystems. Bringing these already functioning subsystems together is a more efficient way of designing robust products. We also have the experience to design electronics systems from new components.

Electronics schematic & circuit board design

We use Solidworks for mechanical packaging and Altium for electronics design, we are also proficient in Eagle, PADS and Kicad.

Electronics housing & wiring harnesses

Housings are done in Solidworks and often 3D printed, vacuum cast or machined for prototyping. We draw hardnesses up in Altium or Solidworks where complex mechanical routing of the harness is required.

Prototyping

We've added low volume electronics manufacturer to our list of capabilities. With this we are now able to provide fully functional prototypes within 2.5 weeks of the design being finalised. This is FAST!

PCB Manufacture

A range of electronics manufactures in China are used to turn around boards within a week. Suppliers are chosen are based on requirements and complexity of the PCB.

PCB Assembly

PCB's and electronic components are set up on our precision soldering machine where solder paste is applied. Components are accurately positioned on the circuit board using our pick and place machine. We can place components as small as 0402, 0.4mm QFN's and 0.8mm BGA's.

The PCB's are run through our reflow solder oven using leaded solder for prototypes, we can also accommodate lead-free for the final product.

Certification

All electronics require certification to be sold commercially, depending on components used and domain the product will be used in, certification requirements may differ.

General certification

General certification of devices is required for them to be sold. FCC, CE and RoHS marking can be undertake by a number of certification partners who we've completed this process with before.

Wireless certifications

If the product contains one or more radios (WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular 3G 4G etc.), specific certifications with those international governing bodies will be required.

Ingress Protection & hazardous areas

We have experience working with suppliers for devices that require further certification for IP (Ingress Protection) of for use in hazardous areas.

Firmware

We understand how to develop the many different aspects of firmware with tens of thousands of users relying on our expertise to maintain their devices in the field.

The tools required to develop robust firmware

We have all the resources at our disposal to be able to quickly develop reliable firmware that creates the desired user experience.

Custom programming jigs for firmware development

Development of custom programming jigs speeds up the development process whilst also making it safer. We develop these jigs and use them for firmware development and continuous integration.

Firmware updates to devices in the field

The use of continuous integration for firmware is essential for successful firmware updates to devices in the field. Our processes ensure every firmware update is thoroughly tested before being pushed out.

Product Maintenance

Electronic component end of life

We understand that each electronic product has limited saleable life. The right component is selected when designing an electronic system. We know how to mitigate the risk by planning for components to go to end of life, ensuring a products' sales are not hampered by component supply in the future.

Software vulnerabilities

Software becomes dated especially when security vulnerabilities are discovered. When updating firmware we do so in a timely manner as to not impact the consumers already using the products in the field.