Acronyms? No not these --> but there are plenty in the area of new product development!
Let's navigate thru common testing and rollout stages that ensure the very best long-term product and business results....
Understanding the Basics of NPI, EVT, DVT, PVT, FMEA, and PFMEA Processes
The realm of display and touch panel solutions is a place where technology, innovation and user experience converge. Designing a seamless integration of cutting-edge display-based solutions require a detailed journey through many pivotal stages.
Although not every new product launch goes thru every stage nor in this particular order and there are other stages intertwined in the process, here we will dive into the common stages, share the complexities and highlighting the significance of these design milestones.
Initial NPI (New Product Introduction) stages:
Concept Testing At the earliest stage, concept testing involves validating the viability of the initial design ideas. It helps to identify potential issues, assess market fit, and gather feedback to refine the concept before moving forward.
Feasibility Testing: This stage involves assessing the feasibility of the proposed design in terms of technical, economic, and operational aspects. It helps to determine whether the design can be implemented within constraints such as budget, resources, and technology.
Prototyping: Creating prototypes allows designers and engineers to translate concepts into tangible models. Prototyping helps in visualizing the design, identifying flaws, and testing basic functionalities. It's an iterative process that involves refining the prototype based on feedback.
EVT, DVT, PVT.... Lets get it right stage!
Engineering Validation Test (EVT):
In the EVT stage, the spotlight is on validating the foundational concepts of both the display and touch panel solutions. Engineers embark on crafting prototypes that showcase not only the visual brilliance but also the responsiveness and functionality of the touch interface.
Rigorous testing evaluates the performance of the components and solution under various conditions, ensuring clarity, color accuracy, and vibrancy. Simultaneously, the touch panel undergoes scrutiny, addressing factors such as touch sensitivity, accuracy, and multitouch capabilities. The EVT stage serves as the launchpad, setting the trajectory for a great marriage of display and touch technologies.
Design Validation Test (DVT):
Building on the insights gained from EVT, the DVT stage is a crucial juncture where prototypes evolve into refined solutions. Engineers meticulously refine the display solutions based on the feedback from the initial testing phase.
Comprehensive testing ensues, evaluating the performance of the touch panel across diverse scenarios and ensuring that it seamlessly integrates with the display solution. DVT acts as the crucible where the interactive and visual elements come together, paving the way for a user-centric and polished design.
Regulatory Compliance Testing: Depending on the industry regulatory compliance testing may be required and ensures that the design meets required standards and regulations. This is particularly crucial for products in fields such as healthcare, electronics, and automotive.
Pilot Production Test: Before mass production, a small batch of units is produced in a pilot production test. This stage helps identify any issues that may arise during large-scale manufacturing and ensures that the production processes are ready for mass production.
Production Validation Test (PVT):
PVT marks the final stage before mass production, where the design, manufacturing processes, and quality control measures are fine-tuned for large-scale integration. It's a stage that addresses the complexities of integrating with a well-designed display based solution and relating technologies.
Small batches undergo production using the actual manufacturing processes, and thorough testing validates the scalability of the design. PVT ensures that the display and touch panel solution and expected performance can be replicated reliably and consistently, meeting the demands of mass production without compromising on performance or user experience.
Post-Launch Monitoring:
After the product is launched, ongoing monitoring and testing help identify any unforeseen issues in real-world usage. This stage allows for continuous improvement through software updates, design modifications, or addressing emerging challenges.
Conclusion:
The journey from EVT to DVT and PVT in the realm of display and touch panel solutions is a symphony of creativity, precision, and innovation. Each stage plays a pivotal role in refining visual experiences, optimizing performance, and ensuring that the final product seamlessly integrates cutting-edge display technologies with responsive and intuitive touch panels. By understanding and navigating these design stages, engineers can usher in a new era of immersive and user-friendly display solutions that redefine our digital interactions.
OH YEA.... What about PFMEA and FMEA?
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) are systematic methodologies used to identify, assess, and prioritize potential failure modes in a design or manufacturing process.
Let's explore these concepts in more detail:
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Purpose:
FMEA is a proactive approach to risk management that aims to identify potential failure modes in a system, product, or process and evaluate their consequences.
Process:
Identify potential failure modes: List all possible ways in which the system, product, or process could fail.
Assess the severity of each failure mode: Evaluate the potential impact of each failure on the overall system or process.
Determine the likelihood of occurrence: Assess the probability of each failure mode occurring.
Evaluate the ability to detect the failure: Consider how likely it is that the failure will be detected before reaching the end-user.
Calculate the Risk Priority Number (RPN): RPN is the product of severity, occurrence, and detection ratings. It helps prioritize which failure modes should be addressed first. Develop and prioritize action plans: Based on the RPN, teams can prioritize and implement action plans to mitigate or eliminate high-priority failure modes
Application
FMEA is widely used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing, to enhance product and process reliability.
Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA)
Purpose
PFMEA is a specific application of FMEA that focuses on potential failure modes within a manufacturing or business process.
Process
Identify potential failure modes in the process: List all possible ways in which the manufacturing or business process could fail.
Assess the severity of each failure mode: Evaluate the potential impact of each failure on the overall process.
Determine the likelihood of occurrence: Assess the probability of each failure mode occurring during the process.
Evaluate the ability to detect the failure: Consider how likely it is that the failure will be detected within the process.
Calculate the Risk Priority Number (RPN): Similar to FMEA, RPN is calculated to prioritize the actions needed to address high-risk failure modes.
Develop and prioritize action plans: Based on the RPN, teams can prioritize and implement action plans to mitigate or eliminate high-priority failure modes within the process.
Application
PFMEA is particularly valuable in manufacturing industries where identifying and addressing potential failures in the production process is critical for maintaining product quality.
Both FMEA and PFMEA are proactive tools that empower teams to anticipate and mitigate risks early in the design or manufacturing process. By systematically analyzing potential failure modes and their consequences, organizations can enhance the reliability, safety, and performance of their products and processes.
In summary, following these practices, design refinement and validation, ensures a product aligns with its vision, functions reliably, delivers a satisfying user experience and prepares a design for mass production, reducing the risk of production-related issues and ensuring product consistency. At the same time, FMEA is a proactive tool for risk management, identifying and prioritizing potential failures, allowing organizations to take preventative measures to enhance product reliability and safety.
About DCL Technologies
DCL designs high quality display solutions that meet our clients' overall objectives.
Our mission is to be the easiest display solution provider to do business with.
Our differentiator is a focus on delivering the best experience to our clients, at every desk. Our core value strategies are focused on making it easy for Engineers, Designers and Purchasing to get things done.
Contact:
Andrew Blum
DCL Technologies
800-407-8917