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While proprietary, we can review a typical client experience
to illustrate the various aspects of the Anderson Group's
approach. The strategic design approach utilized Lateral Thinking
that is further discussed in our newsletter.
Instrument Cluster
The client had initial concerns about
the space required for the instrument cluster in the vehicles
they were manufacturing; about 4 inches in depth. When contacted,
we reviewed the application and found the client was using
a unique stepper motor to operate each measurement such as
speed, temperature and pressure. In some cases there were
up to 6 measurements, in others there where as many as 22
measurements. The department had over 25 employees dedicated
to the design of the integrated cluster.
We chose Anderson Group members
that included an electrical/electronic packaging designer
as well as a polymer expert for the team. Altogether, our
team had 3 members in addition to the client's base. We researched
the options and came up with a unique approach that combined
electronics, microprocessors and packaging materials/processes
that would eliminate the stepping motors, circuit cards and
reduce the depth to less than 1 inch.
The importance of this approach is
that the client used specialist (electrical engineers only)
to address their needs and never took a broader look at what
another technology (packaging/polymer) could present to produce
a better solution.
The Engineered, total solution
approach
offered many additional benefits:
Depth Reduction: the initial
challenge.
Increased Flexibility: each
measurement could be calibrated via microprocessor tuning
(PC based) verses hand calibration/test. The function of each
measurement could be selected by the PC download (a universal
device).
Multiple Markets: Since each
device was tunable and functionally programmable, each cluster
assembly could fit past, current and future models/markets
thus:
- Retrofit Markets would be served
- Current Markets could be addressed
quicker while reducing inventory
- Product Cycles were vastly extended
Improved Process: the newly
proposed cluster was subject to a continuous molded product
(verses job shop/hand assembly): the process went from the
injection molding case to the integrated electronics that
replaced the circuit cards and stepper motors. The in-line
process could than calibrate and test the units after the
molding process was complete and sealed via PC connection.
The microprocessor base could then adapt easily to the vehicle's
in-board computer for completion after test.
Increased Quality: since the
product had fewer parts (increased reliability), it was integrated
(more robust design/durability) and able to be calibrated
and tested more rigorously, the quality improvement offered
multiple benefits besides cost reduction.
Reduced Costs: The new product
offered a 55% per unit cost savings.
This example illustrates how the
Anderson Group approach can provide many benefits to a project
by exploring many technologies to apply to a focused issue
in a team directed manner. In this case, all functions in
a Process-Centered operation were addressed. Our strategic
approach is expanded in our newsletter.
Please choose from the following
engineering subsections:
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