Then the team assembles everything inside the final enclosure, switches the product on, and discovers problems that did not exist before.

This is a common but often underestimated stage of new product development. Once separate components and subsystems are brought together, they create a new operating environment. Heat accumulates, airflow is restricted, electromagnetic interference may appear, mechanical clearances tighten, and access to important test points can disappear.

In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Paul Adams examine why apparently successful components can fail when integrated into a complete product. They also explain how staged integration, early testing, accessible debugging points, and realistic user testing can prevent these problems from derailing a project.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Summary

• 00:00:21 – Why individually working parts can fail together
  Electronics, firmware, power systems, wiring, mechanical parts, and the enclosure may all work independently. Combining them creates new interactions and operating conditions.
• 00:02:28 – Why everything seems to work on the test bench
  Bench testing gives engineers plenty of space, controlled power, monitoring equipment, test probes, and easy access to the product’s electronics.
• 00:07:40 – What changes when product integration begins
  Integrating systems too early, before each one has been properly validated, can make it extremely difficult to determine which subsystem is causing a fault.
• 00:08:39 – Products must be designed so engineers can debug them
  PCBs need accessible test points and connections that allow engineers to monitor signals, update firmware, and investigate faults after components have been installed.
• 00:10:16 – Integrate one subsystem at a time
  Adding several PCBs, sensors, motors, or other systems simultaneously makes troubleshooting unnecessarily difficult. A staged build allows the team to identify exactly when a problem appears.
• 00:13:45 – A technically compliant product can still fail
  A product may meet its written specification and applicable safety limits but still provide a poor or even alarming user experience.
• 00:15:00 – How heat buildup creates hidden product problems
  A kitchen appliance discussed in the episode remained within its assumed technical limits, but its surface became too hot for users to handle comfortably. This illustrates why regulatory or specification compliance should not be treated as the only measure of success.
• 00:20:19 – The first assembled product is only a mini milestone
  Building the first complete, functioning unit is an important achievement. However, it should be treated as the beginning of integrated system testing rather than proof that the design is finished.
• 00:21:39 – Solving an enclosure airflow problem
  Paul describes a recent project where heat had nowhere to escape from the enclosure. Adding an airflow path and a very small fan reduced the temperature substantially. This issue would not have appeared while the heating subsystem was being tested by itself on the bench.
• 00:23:53 – A five-step product integration playbook
  Paul concludes with five practical rules for managing integration:
  1. Integrate the product in stages.
  2. Test important risks early.
  3. Keep debugging access available.
  4. Test the product as customers will actually use it.
  5. Treat the enclosure as an active part of the complete system.

The Main Lesson

Testing components separately is essential, but it does not prove that the finished product will work correctly.

The enclosure affects airflow, temperature, signal behaviour, component positioning, accessibility, and the way users interact with the product. It should therefore be considered part of the system rather than simply a cosmetic shell added at the end.

Teams should also avoid treating the first complete build as a finished product. It is the first opportunity to observe how all of the subsystems interact under realistic conditions.

Problems found at this stage may still require changes to the electronics, firmware, component selection, internal layout, materials, ventilation, or enclosure design. Discovering and correcting those issues before tooling and production is far less damaging than finding them after products reach customers.

Further Reading

• How Many Prototypes Are Needed Before We Get ‘Perfection?’
• Transitioning to Manufacturing from Product Development | 2 Options
• Prototype Success Is NOT Production Readiness
• Why a Good Prototype Can Still Fail in Production
• Final Prototype of Your New Hardware Product: When Will You Get There?
• How Many Prototype Iterations and Safety and Reliability Tests Do We Need?
• Handover to Manufacturing: What Not to Do and Best Practices
• Test to Failure: Why You Need This Reliability Test

The post Every Component Works. So Why Does the Assembled Product Fail? appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

The real value of events such as the Canton Fair and Global Sources comes from knowing what to ask, what to observe, and which suppliers deserve further investigation.

In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Renaud explain how buyers can assess suppliers during an initial booth conversation. They cover how to identify possible trading companies, ask about in-house processes, judge production capacity and customer fit, and avoid being treated as an unprepared “tire kicker.”

They also explain why trade show conversations should only be the beginning of the qualification process. Promising suppliers still need background checks, factory visits, and proper due diligence before you place an order.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Summary

Trade shows remain valuable because they allow buyers to examine physical products, compare many potential suppliers quickly, and ask questions in real time. They are also useful for spotting market trends and emerging technologies. However, products displayed widely at events such as the Canton Fair may also be easily accessible to competitors, so buyers should look for opportunities to differentiate rather than copy what everyone else can see.

Preparation is essential. Buyers should research exhibitors beforehand, arrive with a clear description of what they need, and ask suppliers about their main products, factory location, in-house processes, target markets, customer types, and production capacity. These questions can help reveal whether the exhibitor is a genuine manufacturer or a trading company, whether it controls critical production processes, and whether its size and capabilities are suitable for the buyer’s expected volumes.

Suppliers are also assessing visitors. To avoid being dismissed as a “tire kicker,” buyers should explain their company, market experience, product maturity, and realistic sales forecasts. Exaggerated promises about huge future orders are unlikely to be taken seriously. It is better to discuss credible volumes across the first few years and explain how a smaller initial order could lead to larger business later.

Finally, a professional booth and attractive samples do not prove that a supplier is reliable. Promising conversations should be followed by background checks, factory visits, and more detailed discussions with technical and operational staff before any order is placed.

Further Reading

• How To Get More Out of a China Trade Fair Visit
• How To Find Suppliers in China
• 27 Questions To Ask During a China Factory Visit
• Are Suppliers on Alibaba and Global Sources Trustworthy?
• Sourcing from China 101, Part 2: How to Identify Potential Chinese Suppliers?

Found some possible suppliers? We can help check them:

• Supplier Legal Records Check
• Certificates & Reports Verification
• Supplier Bank Account Verification

The post How to Assess Suppliers at Trade Shows Before You Trust Them appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

But by that stage, the products have already been made.

If a large part of the batch has the same problem, inspection can identify the failure, but it cannot undo the time, materials, and production capacity already spent.

A stronger approach is to define how quality will be controlled before production begins.

Here we’ll explain three types of quality control plans:

1. A product quality control plan that defines inspection, testing, acceptance criteria, responsibilities, and what happens when products fail.

2. A process control plan that identifies critical production steps and explains how quality will be checked while the products are being made.

3. A QC plan for a new product that addresses additional risks involving approved samples, test fixtures, components, tooling, pilot runs, reliability, and compliance.

The discussion also explains why buyers need to define their own quality standards rather than assuming the supplier will do it for them.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:00 Introduction to this rewind episode
• 01:56 What quality control plans are and why they are needed before production
• 04:06 Why there is more than one type of QC plan
• 04:43 Type 1: The product QC plan and contract-related quality terms
• 05:28 Defining testing, inspections, AQL limits, compliance, and responsibilities
• 06:41 What happens if serious issues are found after shipment?
• 07:11 Why even smaller buyers should document quality expectations
• 08:06 Type 2: The process control plan
• 09:04 Mapping production processes and critical steps
• 10:20 Turning the control plan into work instructions and checks
• 11:02 When process control plans become important
• 11:54 Why final inspection alone is often too late
• 12:27 Controlling quality through incoming components and sub-suppliers
• 13:50 How to check whether suppliers can follow process control plans
• 15:03 Type 3: The QC plan for a new product
• 16:27 Quality, reliability, and compliance requirements
• 17:35 Golden samples and approved prototypes
• 18:00 Testing stations, jigs, fixtures, and functional checks
• 19:07 Intended use, reliability expectations, and compliance needs
• 19:52 Component manufacturing, assembly, tooling, and work instructions
• 21:35 Pilot runs and pre-production approvals
• 22:35 Why new products force buyers and suppliers to think harder
• 22:59 Supplier optimism and the “we’ll fix it later” risk
• 24:16 Why quality standards need to be clear and useful
• 25:08 Why buyers often skip proper QC planning
• 26:42 Why defining requirements is the buyer’s job
• 27:40 Which QC plans apply to which buyers and products?
• 28:22 QC planning for all buyers vs larger or higher-risk buyers
• 29:26 Why process control is worth considering for new products
• 30:12 Why every buyer still needs at least a basic quality standard
• 31:12 What off-the-shelf and private-label buyers should focus on
• 33:02 2026 outro and key lesson recap

Further Reading

• Quality Control Plan: Defining Expectations Before Production
• How To Set Up A Process Control Plan [11 Steps]
• Golden Sample in Manufacturing
• What Is A PP Sample?
• How to set product specifications?
• You NEED to do product qualification BEFORE mass production!
• How Incoming Quality Control Inspections Fit into an Overall Quality System

The post Why Final Inspection Is Too Late: 3 QC Plans To Use Before Production appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

Some are worried about tariffs. Others want to reduce China-related risks, move closer to their customers, protect their IP, or stop relying on a single supplier that has too much control over their production.

So the idea comes up: should we move production to a new factory?

Maybe Vietnam looks attractive. Maybe Mexico seems closer to the US market. Maybe another supplier in China can do the job. Or maybe the company decides it should own the manufacturing process itself.

But a factory move is not automatically an improvement.

If the current production setup has a poor layout, weak process controls, too much inventory, unreliable equipment, or a poorly understood supply chain, moving to a new building may simply copy those same problems into a different location.

That was one of the main points made by David Collins, CEO of Manufacturing Transformation Group, in a recent discussion with Renaud Anjoran on the China Manufacturing Decoded podcast.

Before choosing a country, a supplier, or a building, companies need to ask a more basic question:

What problem are we really trying to solve?

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:00 – Introduction: setting up a new factory
• 01:43 – Who David Collins and Manufacturing Transformation Group are
• 05:04 – Why more companies are considering factory relocation
• 05:50 – China, Vietnam, Mexico, and the real trade-offs between locations
• 08:10 – Why some companies want to own manufacturing again
• 09:32 – Don’t just move the mess to a new factory
• 11:45 – The first question: what are you trying to accomplish?
• 12:02 – Supplier location, workforce skills, logistics, and infrastructure
• 14:18 – Why a real BOM and cost model are essential
• 15:27 – Feasibility studies and idealised factory planning
• 16:07 – Why automation is not always the right answer
• 17:34 – Comparing factory setup scenarios and locations
• 18:16 – Why labour cost should not be the only driver
• 20:48 – IP risks and supplier dependency
• 22:15 – Learning from the problems in your current factory
• 23:46 – Project management during a factory move
• 24:03 – Greenfield vs brownfield factory projects
• 26:09 – Layout planning, implementation, and local specialists
• 27:13 – On-the-ground project management and construction risks
• 28:33 – Equipment commissioning and factory acceptance testing
• 29:50 – Choosing equipment that fits your real needs
• 31:41 – Equipment maintenance, spare parts, and supplier risks
• 32:40 – Why factory setup is a once-in-a-decade decision
• 34:12 – Disciplined planning and avoiding old mistakes
• 36:45 – Closing thoughts

Further Reading

• How To Plan for Transferring Production To a New Factory: 45 Point Checklist
• Transfer Manufacturing From One Chinese Factory To Another With Fewer Risks
• How To Diversify Manufacturing Sources Out of China and Cut Risk
• Sofeast can help you > Electronic Production Transfer from China to India OR Malaysia
• Supply Chain Risk Management, Part 5: Moving Manufacturing to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, or India (Pros & Cons)
• Production Transfer: A Roadmap (Assembly Operations Only)

The post Planning A Factory Move? First Decide What Problem You’re Solving appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

That sounds like a plan. It is not. Here’s why…

It may be a reasonable estimate for a simple mold: one straightforward plastic part, one cavity, no sliders, no undercuts, no difficult surface finish, and standard pre-hardened steel. But most real products are not that simple.

A consumer electronics or IoT product might include several molded parts, each with its own tool, complexity, steel requirements, tolerances, surface finish, and review process. One difficult housing, cover, bracket, or internal frame can become the critical path for the whole project.

The bigger issue is that many buyers misunderstand when the tooling clock starts. It usually does not start when the purchase order is placed or the deposit is paid. Before the toolmaker can start machining, the design often needs to go through a DFM review, questions need to be answered, changes may need to be approved, and the final tool design must be confirmed.

In episode 331 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian spoke with Paul Adams, Head of New Product Development at Agilian Technology, about why the common 8–12 week tooling estimate often creates false expectations. They discussed what really affects tooling lead times, including DFM readiness, part complexity, steel selection, toolmaker capacity, T0/T1/T2 trials, customer response speed, and China’s holiday calendar.

Before you approve tooling, you need to understand which parts are complex, whether the design is really ready, what steel is being used, when machining actually starts, how trial parts will be reviewed, and what buffer is needed if changes are required.

Otherwise, the “8 to 12 weeks” you remember may quietly become 14 to 16 weeks, or longer.

The takeaway is simple: do not treat a tooling quote as a project plan.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:00:31 – The “8 to 12 week tooling timeline”
• 00:02:28 – What tooling includes and why it matters
• 00:04:21 – Tooling cost and why first-time founders get caught out
• 00:06:08 – Where the 8 to 12 week figure comes from
• 00:07:23 – Why real consumer electronics products are more complex
• 00:08:35 – When the tooling timer really starts
• 00:11:10 – Why design readiness and DFM review are critical
• 00:13:26 – How part complexity affects tooling lead time
• 00:13:50 – Steel selection: P20, H13, and tool life
• 00:15:40 – Responsiveness during T0, T1, and T2 trials
• 00:16:26 – Why being in China can speed up tooling decisions
• 00:19:03 – Planning around Chinese New Year, Golden Week, and May Day
• 00:21:47 – How to create a tooling schedule that works
• 00:22:05 – Reviewing the DFM report properly before cutting steel
• 00:24:00 – Building a tooling specification and critical path plan
• 00:25:34 – Understanding T0, T1, T2, and rework cycles
• 00:27:45 – Why you should always build in a schedule buffer
• 00:28:56 – Why many tooling delays come from the customer side
• 00:30:15 – Final advice: understand the full tooling process

Further Reading

• Tooling Management for Plastic Injection Molds in China
• Plastic Injection Mold Tooling Management & Risk Reduction [Podcast]
• Common Design For Manufacture Improvements On Plastic Injection Molded Parts
• Injection Mold Tooling Roadmap: How to Get from Smart Design to T1 Samples
• What are Plastic Injection Mold Tooling Revisions? (3 examples)
• How To Make Faster Injection Mold Tooling [7 Tips]
• Plastic Injection Molding Pilot Runs: What You Need To Know
• The Four Levels of Plastic Injection Molding Suppliers in China

The post Why Injection Mold Tooling Often Takes Longer Than You Were Quoted appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

However, that approach is risky.

A final inspection can detect defects, but it usually cannot explain all the upstream decisions that created them. By that point, the product requirements may be vague, suppliers may already be selected, components may already be approved, tooling may already be made, and the production process may already be running.

That is why QC needs to be built into the NPI process.

Before mass production starts, buyers and manufacturers should define clear product requirements, qualify suppliers and components, plan incoming and in-process controls, prepare inspection and testing methods, review process risks, and use pilot runs to prove that the QC system actually works.

In this episode, Adrian and Renaud discuss the quality control processes that should be implemented during NPI and why preventing defects early is usually far cheaper than finding them later.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:01:14 Why many companies treat quality control as an end-of-line activity
• 00:02:08 Why final inspection is reactive, not preventive
• 00:04:01 How to build quality into the product and process earlier
• 00:04:44 Why everything in product development can affect quality
• 00:06:08 Product requirements as the foundation of NPI quality control
• 00:07:09 Supplier qualification, design risks, inspection, and testing
• 00:08:29 Quality gates, validation, reliability, compliance, and performance
• 00:09:36 Manufacturing process controls and why they need to be planned
• 00:12:02 Using AI to help document product requirements
• 00:13:00 Examples of turning user needs into measurable specifications
• 00:15:41 Cosmetic standards, boundary samples, and critical measurements
• 00:18:21 Qualifying suppliers, components, and materials
• 00:19:53 Turning requirements into inspection and testing processes
• 00:22:18 Applying QC controls during prototype and pilot batches
• 00:23:04 Work instructions, jigs, fixtures, and process risk reviews
• 00:25:05 Mistake proofing example: preventing drilling errors
• 00:26:28 Eliminating risks where possible, controlling them where not
• 00:27:12 Why prevention is stronger than end-of-line inspection
• 00:28:04 Final takeaway: quality-forward NPI reduces production risk

Further Reading

• NPI process guide
• NPI deliverables review service from Sofeast
• 7 must-do NPI tasks before a successful launch
• Why skipping part qualification in NPI will cause problems
• 3 key process improvement tools
• Pilot run best practices
• DFM and Industrialization support from Agilian
• You NEED to do product qualification BEFORE mass production!

The post What QC Processes Should Be Set Up Before Mass Production? appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

1. A component is swapped for a cheaper or more available alternative.
2. Firmware is cleaned up before production release.
3. Production is transferred from a prototype shop to a mass production factory.

Each change may look reasonable on its own. The new component may appear equivalent on the datasheet. The firmware update may seem like routine tidying. The new factory may appear capable of making the same product. But each one can change the configuration that was originally validated.

That is why a working prototype is not the same thing as a production-ready product.

In this episode, you’ll learn why component changes, firmware changes, factory transfers, tolerance shifts, and process differences need to be controlled before production starts. We also cover practical safeguards, including configuration control, phase gates, production-representative builds, factory audits, pilot runs, and validation tracking.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:00 – Introduction: why working prototypes still fail in production
• 01:32 – Failure pattern 1: component swaps and hidden validation risks
• 06:26 – Failure pattern 2: firmware tidy-up before production release
• 08:53 – Failure pattern 3: transferring from prototype shop to production factory
• 13:20 – How to bridge the prototype-to-production gap
• 13:48 – Why a structured NPI process matters
• 14:51 – Production-representative builds, EVT, DVT, tooling, and PVT
• 16:49 – Controlled ramp-up instead of jumping straight to mass production
• 17:32 – Configuration control: validation only applies to what was tested
• 20:29 – Practical decision framework for managers
• 22:03 – Setting a configuration baseline from DVT onward
• 23:05 – Using NPI phase gates and change assessment before moving forward
• 24:29 – Factory process audits: why an audit is not just a factory tour
• 27:09 – Pro tips: quality standards, NPI discipline, and validation tracking
• 30:39 – Factory transfers and why pilot runs are essential
• 33:05 – Final recap: what changed, what was validated, and what is now unknown

Further Reading

Get help with your project from Sofeast. These services cover the topics discussed today:

• New Product Introduction Support
• NPI Deliverables Review
• DFM Review for Manufacturing in Asia
• Reliability Engineering & Testing
• Process Management Audit (PMA)
• First Article Inspection

The post Why a Good Prototype Can Still Fail in Production (Part 2): Three Failure Patterns to Watch appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

This is where many hardware projects run into trouble. The prototype is approved, the team moves ahead, tooling starts, suppliers are lined up, and everyone assumes the production units will behave in the same way. Then the first batch arrives, and unexpected failures appear.

The reason is often simple: the prototype and the production unit are not really the same thing.

In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Paul Adams, head of new product development, discuss part one of this problem: what actually changes between prototype and production, and why those changes can lead to production failures if they are not controlled. Next week, we’ll continue the discussion by looking at common real-world failure patterns, including component swaps, firmware tidy-ups, factory transfers, and how a structured NPI process helps close the gap.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:00 Introduction: why working prototypes can still fail
• 02:09 Prototypes and production units are not the same thing
• 03:46 The gap between prototype and production
• 04:23 Five things that change before production
• 04:36 1 – Components: prototype parts vs production parts
• 09:17 2 – Firmware: why prototype code is not production-ready
• 12:03 3 – Suppliers and factories: why process knowledge gets lost
• 16:50 4 – Tolerances and process variation
• 19:54 5 – Validation basis: What exactly was tested?
• 22:22 Key takeaway from part one
• 23:17 What to expect in part two

Further Reading

• How Many Prototypes Are Needed Before We Get ‘Perfection?’
• Process Management Audit (PMA)
• An Effective New Product Development Process for Electronics
• From Prototype to Production: 7 Pitfalls for Tech Products

The post Why a Good Prototype Can Still Fail in Production (Part 1): What changes before mass production? appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

NRE costs are one-time costs needed before production can really begin. They may include product design, engineering, prototyping, tooling, supplier sourcing, testing, certification, fixtures, and production setup.

In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, we discuss what NRE costs are, where they usually appear, why they often grow, and what importers should do to avoid unpleasant surprises before launching production.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:00 — Intro: why NRE costs still matter
• 01:13 — What are non-recurring engineering costs?
• 03:04 — Why NRE costs affect your real product margin
• 04:16 — Why NRE budgets often grow during development
• 07:37 — Typical NRE costs by product and manufacturing process
• 08:10 — Plastic injection molding and tooling costs
• 10:44 — Custom PCBAs and electronics engineering costs
• 13:46 — Why NRE planning affects cost and delivery time
• 15:53 — Existing tooling, white-label products, and off-the-shelf options
• 18:51 — IP and dependency risks with ODM products
• 20:08 — When a manufacturer offers to absorb NRE costs
• 22:03 — Why a development agreement matters
• 24:27 — Why manufacturers prefer production over development work
• 26:39 — A working prototype does not mean you are production-ready
• 29:04 — Final summary: what to include in your NRE planning

Further Reading

• What is an NRE Cost (Non-Recurring Engineering)?
• Costs and Milestones to go from Product Concept to Market?
• How to Cost Your Product Properly (Design-to-Cost Explained)

The post Non-Recurring Engineering Costs: The One-Time Bills Many Importers Underestimate appeared first on QualityInspection.org.

At first, this may not seem serious. The team has a concept. There may be sketches, a rough design, some target features, and a budget. Everyone wants to move quickly into design, prototyping, tooling, and production.

But when key details are missing, people start filling the gaps with assumptions.

One person assumes the product will use a certain material. Someone else assumes a component is available. Another assumes that the target market requires only one set of certifications. The engineer assumes a certain tolerance is acceptable. The buyer assumes the production cost will fit the business model.

Before long, the project is not built on confirmed information. It is built on a stack of assumptions.

And that is where many hardware projects stall.

In this episode, we look at why product development projects often fail to get moving, why a Product Requirements Document is so important, what information should be clarified before development starts, and how companies can avoid wasting weeks or months on work that later needs to be undone.

Listen to the audio here or on Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Podcasts · Deezer · iHeartRADIO · TuneIn.

Episode Sections:

• 00:03 — Intro & episode overview
• 01:01 — The “failure to launch” problem in hardware
• 02:01 — It’s not the team: real root causes
• 03:02 — Assumptions & missing information (core issue)
• 07:00 — Red flags: missing requirements & BOM
• 11:57 — What “ready to start” actually means
• 12:45 — NPI process & phase gates explained
• 14:22 — Specs as a living document (market changes
• 15:05 — Mechanical, electronics & feature requirements
• 17:34 — Volume assumptions & pricing impact
• 19:08 — The danger of rushing decisions
• 20:44 — Case study: prototyping failure under pressure
• 24:25 — Case study: component & supply chain risks
• 26:33 — Case study: regulatory & certification surprises
• 29:45 — The 10-point pre-start checklist
• 32:53 — Most common mistake
• 33:47 — Final takeaway

Further Reading

• Transitioning to Manufacturing from Product Development | 2 Options
• IP Protection in China when Developing Your New Product [Importer’s Guide]
• Bill of Materials (BoM) Explained
• Design to Cost (DTC) Explained
• Getting To Grips With Non-Recurring Engineering Costs (NRE) [Podcast]
• 11 Common Electronic Product Certification And Compliance Requirements
• Crowdfunding Failures: 4 Great Prototypes That Failed To Launch
• Learn more about how we handle DFM & Industrialization (NPI) for our manufacturing customers

The post Why New Hardware Projects Fail to Launch: Missing Specs, Bad Assumptions, and Costly Delays appeared first on QualityInspection.org.