Cost Savings Make More Fixtures Feasible

One thing OEMs agree on universally is that none of them like non-recurring engineering (NRE) charges. However, when implemented as part of new product introduction (NPI), custom tooling, fixtures and jigs can eliminate defect opportunities by minimizing the process variation that could otherwise occur when those issues can’t be resolved through product design changes. They are also a good tool when a production team identifies the need for a poka yoke or mistake proofing solution later in a product’s lifecycle. The concept of poka yoke was developed by Shigeo Shingo as part of the Toyota Production System (TPS). When applied, the resulting process improvement eliminates a specific defect. Its focus on simplicity is its strength, in that simple fixes are often the best solution for small variances in the manufacturing process. Simple fixes are also easy to rapidly implement and encourage production operator involvement in the pursuit of product perfection. That said, when fixtures are procured through third parties the cost may exceed the benefit.

Read more on how SigmaTron’s Tijuana facility developed an in-house fixturing capability that is enabling them to increase use of fixturing on projects where third-party fixtures would not be cost feasible here.