Demcon focal utilizes proven working methods that ensure the customer’s project will be performed in phases, minimizing risks and enabling a successful implementation. A staged approach, that is consistent with the V-model and tunable to OEM development processes, is at the heart of controlled development.
We provide contract R&D, usually starting from TRL (technology readiness level) 3 or 4. Contract R&D is the overarching definition of the activities we perform as a full-service design house. The scope of our ventures is very diverse, depending on our customers and their actual needs, ranging from start-up to established OEM, from feasibility study to product certification, from one-off to medium volume. We offer comprehensive services, but can also cover well-defined phases of the product creation process, for example following a phased stage-gate approach.
This phase is all about understanding the needs and conditions for success. Maybe the customer already has a brief description with images or drawings to explain the ideas. We will chart examples of items that need to be automatically inspected or measured. In brainstorm sessions, we will get the customer's input and ideas. Outcome for the customer is a clear outlook, scope, and plan for the project.
Several technical solutions and options will be evaluated, based on a more thorough investigation. Identified technical challenges will be tackled with research, simulation or experiments. Suggested solutions for the concept design, including budget estimates, will emerge from this phase. For OEM modules, we provide an overview and trade-off of concept solutions and expected performance.
In this stage the customer have given the “GO” for detailed design and engineering work and we will define, purchase, and have components produced that will constitute the optical module. We will choose and implement the most rigid optical imaging, illumination and/or vision algorithm strategy and work towards an integrated module. The customer's use-case or user flow definitions will be implemented. For OEM manufacturers, we provide detailed design and test documentation accompanied by a performance analysis.
In this stage, we will integrate the module in the customer's environment and establish connections with any mechanization or mechatronics present, and interface with quality or monitoring systems. For OEM- customers, we will perform the qualification of the module and provide the means for integration of the OEM- module in their product.
