Case study

Challenge

• Our customer approached us at the end of 2019 when they were looking for a reliable coin vibration motor supplier who could ramp up motor supplies as they were needed.
• All the design work had been completed before they contacted us so we were unable to suggest any improvements to the device functionality.
• A contract manufacturer (CM) was brought in to manage the project once the device had been fully qualified and signed off.
• The delivery times had also been agreed upon with the final customer before the CM came and spoke with us.

Solution

• We were able to supply them with a small but reliable coin vibration motor that would drop into the product without the need to redesign any of the housing or the tooling.
• Our Hong Kong engineering team managed to expedite the sign-off of the motors and their production in a much shorter time frame than was originally planned.
• The demand went from 10k to 100K motors within three months.

Results

• The teeth re-alignment device was launched into the dental market as planned and just ahead of the global pandemic. It was extremely well received by both orthodontists and patients, as it reduced the number of in-person visits a patient needed to attend.
• PMD was able to supply the CM with the motor volumes they had signed off with the end customer so there was no risk of their production line having to pause due to being short of parts.
• Due to our efficiency in getting this device to market, they have asked us to support them with a new project.

STAGE 1

Designing for application

• Our customer was looking for a small but powerful and reliable coin vibration motor that could be dropped into the device without the need for any changes to the design.
• All the device design work had been completed and signed off before they approached us so we were unable to make any suggestions on how to improve any of its functionality.
• It transpired that they had been working with samples from another supplier but were experiencing quality and supply issues. This meant they were looking for a new second source supplier.

STAGE 2

Manufacturing and testing

• They had a clear specification for the strength of the motor they were looking for and the dimensions of how large it could be due to all the design work having been already completed.
• Samples of our recommended Precision Microdrives coin vibration motor was tested to check the performance requirements would be met, including the lifetime to ensure it would be suitable for the device.
• Our customer ramped up more quickly than we expected, but we were able to supply them with their motor requirements without causing any delays to the production line.

STAGE 3

Results and relationship

• The product has been well received in the dental market especially as people are more open to completing treatment in their own homes and not visiting medical professionals. This was particularly popular during the global pandemic.
• We have built a strong relationship with the CM as we have proved we can provide the volume and quality of motors they needed on time and to spec.
• We are now their primary supplier as it transpired they were having quality and supply issues with their original supplier.