The Line from OCM Manufacturing
Welcome to the Fall 2007 issue of The Line – the electronics manufacturing resource for small- and mid-size companies.
Feature Story
A New Twist on Off-Shoring: Is Canada the New China?
While China and India still receive most of the attention in discussions about off-shoring trends, their contributions are only a part of the full picture. Many labour-intensive activities are indeed being farmed out to the far shores of populous Asia, but more complex activities are also being "off shored" to North American firms like OCM.
This shift in the global economy has become apparent to us as mid-size manufacturers in Europe and South America seek our assistance in their North American marketing strategies. They look to us because:
- In North America we are closest to the target market and, as a full-service CM, we can be relied upon to provide after-market services such as service and repair - with fewer language and time zone barriers.
- A North American manufacturer like OCM can more readily identify and flag issues in the product that may create barriers to entry in North America versus a partner located elsewhere.
- A local service and repair capability can be critical in lowering the barrier to entry and can help a company operate on a larger scale - even international in reach.
Any discussion about off-shoring today should take into account the full cycle of global trade that is occurring between all continents, and in various - and sometimes reciprocal - forms. We ourselves have mature Asia-based operations; we provide full service manufacturing, test, service and repair to other continents, and as part of our services to those companies in Europe or South America, we may ourselves outsource some of the labour to our Chinese operations.
By acknowledging changing market realities and seeking the best solutions to pass on to our customers, OCM has become one example of the evolution of outsourcing.The changing definition of "off shoring", and the trend toward truly global partnerships benefit all parties in the equation.
Michel Jullian, President, OCM Manufacturing
Hot Topic
Planning Test Strategy a Critical Part of Product Design Process
While testing is one of the last steps in the manufacturing process, it must be planned for early - as part of the design process - in order to ensure that necessary tests can be carried out and that they can be done so cost-effectively.
Our latest online DFM Tip provides best practices for planning the test strategy for your electronics device.
Read the tip »
News
Automated Optical Inspection Machine Improves Efficiencies at OCM
OCM recently invested in a Mirtec Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) machine that speeds the optical inspection process by five times compared to manual optical inspection.
Automating the optical inspection process also ensures repeatability and more control. This improves consistency in results and minimizes human error.
The new AOI machine operates using a camera system that is programmed to recognize components and solder joints. It compares images of these to programmed reference values to ensure that components on a board are properly installed.
"Although the machine has to be programmed for every product, once that is done we quickly get that time back in production productivity," says OCM VP, George Henning.
The new AOI machine is the latest investment in OCM's ongoing automation of its manufacturing and test capabilities.
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Contents
A New Twist on Off-Shoring: Is Canada the New China?
Planning Test Strategy
News: Automated Optical Inspection at OCM
Featured Resource
DFM Tips - We're always updating our online DFM Tips to assist customers in their design and manufacturing processes.
Go to DFM Tips »
Archives
You can read past issues of The Line on the OCM website.
Go to past issues »
Good Reading
Labour crunch: mechanizing the workforce - this Ottawa Business Journal article features an interview with OCM's VP Manufacturing, George Henning
Read the article »
Did You Know?
The Ottawa Manufacturers' Network meets monthly.
Manufacturers of technology products in Ottawa meet monthly at the Ottawa Manufacturers' Network (OMN). Check out the OMN's next monthly meeting and be sure to say Hello to us while you're there - an OCM representative is always in attendance. Learn more about OMN >
Contact OCM Manufacturing
OCM Manufacturing Inc.
2183 Thurston Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1G 6C9
Phone: 613-736-5665
Toll Free Phone: 800-268-3961
Fax: 613-736-5525
info@ocmmanufacturing.com
www.ocmmanufacturing.com
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