Voler Systems

In This Issue

A Look into the Future - Just for Fun

Sometimes it is just fun to look ahead and wonder what the future will bring. In 2011, there have been some interesting announcements that get the imagination going. Read more

• Epidermal electronics
• No batteries required for sensors
• Re-chargeable battery life breakthrough
• Medical tricorder
• Caterpillars inspire a new style of robot movement

Voler Helps Out With Legacy Test Equipment

Voler was recently approached by a large medical device company that relied on test equipment that had been designed several years earlier by a firm that was no longer available. They ask Voler for help because for the last two years the equipment would periodically fail calibration and was providing inconsistent results. They had done some root cause analysis and believed that the problem was related to a particular IC in the design. They wanted us to do a more detailed analysis, fix the problem, and verify the fix. Read more

Should Tech Startups Outsource Product Development?

When startups ask me whether they should outsource product development, I usually answer that it's not normally a yes or no question but more about which portions of the total project should be outsourced. I do admit that I am biased: my Silicon Valley consulting firm offers outsourced product development. Let me share with you my somewhat different perspective on outsourcing. Read more

State-of-the-Art Approaches from Design to Sourcing to Production

FEBRUARY 7, 2012, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Agilent Technologies, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd Santa Clara, California 95051

Continental breakfast and lunch provided.

SUMMARY

Global competition is accelerating the pace of innovation and development of complex electronics systems, while forcing down price to consumers. Product life cycles are shrinking, shortening the time required for new products to ramp to volume production, while trying to ensure highest quality to avoid brand erosion. As Brand Owners look to reduce manufacturing costs and focus on core competencies, outsourcing (be it domestic or offshore) all or part of manufacturing has become an imperative. New challenges are in play for many Brand Owners: Retaining control of product quality which has often been “transferred” to the contract manufacturer. To retain control, leading manufacturers are taking a holistic view of their manufacturing supply chain and turning to cloud computing technologies to ensure real-time multi-tier supply chain visibility while fostering an ongoing collaboration with suppliers.

In this seminar, experts will address global manufacturing strategies that have proven results improving product quality while reducing costs. The speakers will share best practices from industry leaders who have successfully implemented collaborative, state-of-the-art solutions with their suppliers and contract manufacturers and achieved results in cost and quality.

Click Here to Register Today!

AGENDA

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Registration/Breakfast

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM Welcome and Agenda Overview

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM The Economics of Diagnostics and Repair in Development, Production, and Support – Duane Lowenstein, Business Development Manager, Agilent

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Using Design for Reliability to Reduce Product Life Cycle Costs – Mike Silverman, Managing Partner, Senior Reliability Consultant, Ops A La Carte

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Break

10:35 AM – 11:05 AM A Holistic View of Quality – Nader Fathi, General Manager, Supply Chain Quality, Camstar

11:05 AM – 11:45 AM Quality Visibility in an Outsourced High Mix/Low Volume Manufacturing Operation – Jason K Ruppert Vice President Manufacturing Operations & Engineering, Harmonic

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM Conclusion and Thank You

12:00 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch and Follow-Up Discussion

In This Issue

How to Avoid Big Errors Using Accelerometers

Accelerometers can be used to measure not only acceleration but also vibration. Historically, accelerometers have seen widespread use in manufacturing production lines and automotive electronics. They are now widely used in portable electronic devices such as cell phones, video game controllers, and cameras. Medical devices increasingly incorporate them to add capabilities to measure motion such as the rate and depth of chest compressions. Read more

Ask Me About Electronics

If your team is looking for consulting experts in wireless, imaging, and sensor design, Voler Systems will be in the Product Realization Group's booth at BIOMEDevices http://www.canontradeshows.com/expo/biomed11/ Show December 6 & 7 in San Jose.

Medical Device software must be developed under an IEC 62304 software development process since March of this year. It is critical to understand IEC 62304 well enough to ensure compliance by the vendor and that the deliverables meet the IEC 62304 requirements.

Register at http://www.complianceonline.com/ecommerce/control/trainingFocus?product_id=702133&category_id=10002&full_desc=yes

Instructors:

• Tim Stein, President and CEO of Business Performance Associates, Inc.,
• Walt Maclay, President of Voler Systems

In This Issue

Calibration Verifies Accuracy in Disposable Medical Devices

by Walt Maclay

As published in Embedded Computing Design June 2011

FDA regulations for medical devices require manufacturers to develop and monitor production practices to ensure that the end device conforms to its specifications. A calibration program is a major part of this quality system to verify the accuracy and precision of measurements. Walt describes the techniques, tools, and equipment used to calibrate a disposable medical device.

Read more

Trends in Ultracapacitors

Ultracapacitors are well suited to replace batteries in many applications. Voler Systems developed such a replacement for a company that makes RFID and wireless technology products.The battery replacement was cheaper with a longer life than a standard battery.

Read more

In This Issue

Wireless USB Boasts Convenience for Industrial and Embedded Solutions

Universal serial bus (USB) is an economical and convenient connection for both industrial and commercial applications; USB continues to replace many legacy serial connections (i.e. RS-232, 485).

However, for some industrial and embedded solutions, wireless USB is becoming the choice interface for enabling connectivity to new applications. Products are moving to wireless USB to eliminate cables and to gain the convenience of always being connected.

Read more

Guide to Wireless Technology Standards: Which Makes Sense For Your Application?

Multiple standards exist for wireless: Bluetooth, Wireless USB, Zigbee and WiFi. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, so depending on your application we would choose different wireless technologies. Read more

Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 19, 2011
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Santa Clara Convention Center

Tuesday & Thursday Evenings from September 27 to November 29, 2011 Product Realization Group and Foothill College are offering Product Realization Certificate courses. Walt Maclay will present the Engineering Development course as part of this Product Realization Certificate Program. More Info

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