A key medical device company wanted to manufacture a simple system, in terms of functionality, for producing low powered X-Rays. The company approached EPI with the challenge of maintaining a low manufacturing cost for the unit despite a low yearly production volume.
Solution: Since EPI was already working on other programs with the customer, EPI management decided to explore ways to leverage common aspects of the unique programs. Since each program required microprocessor control of various switches and indicators, EPI engineers found they could design one small CPU board that was functionally and physically compatible with three of the customer’s systems. By leveraging the production volume of these units, EPI was able to obtain volume pricing on the board and maintain an inexpensive manufacturing cost for the patient exposure control.
Results: In addition to meeting all of the customer’s targeted design goals, EPI reduced the design time for the equipment by efficiently utilizing engineering resources across multiple projects. A shared CPU board also resulted in a common method of shielding for reduced electrical noise in all products.