New Product Manufacturing Checklist
Creating a New Product Manufacturing Checklist
When it’s time for your new product to enter the manufacturing process, the team at Sonic Manufacturing Technologies prepares a new product manufacturing checklist for that product. This manufacturing plan provides key information to help you prepare for the upcoming manufacturing process. This plan is crucial to plan for equipment, personnel, and capital requirements, and needs developing early enough in the process to allow for appropriate lead times on any new equipment you may require as well as development time for new testing approaches.
Contents of a Successful Manufacturing Plan
What should be included in your manufacturing plan? Our checklist includes eight key sections.
1. Objective
We start by stating the objective of the new manufacturing plan: to document the process flow and high-level test requirements for the new product being developed and to identify the necessary people, facilities, and equipment required.
2. Manufacturing Process: Assembly Strategy
In this section, we define the manufacturing process flowchart for your new product. We also identify alternatives and risks and suggest how to develop the capacity of the line.
3. Manufacturing Test Approach
The third section of the plan consists of an overview of the testing process, followed by detailed manufacturing test information. The overview summarizes testing at all stages of the process and specifies product design requirements. The detailed information documents the steps manufacturing personnel will perform to test your product. (Click here to learn more about our quality assurance and testing processes.)
4. Equipment and Facility Requirements
This part of the plan details the capital/tooling requirements, identifies all necessary equipment and estimates the approximate lead time and costs for this equipment. This section should also establish equipment selection criteria and create a facility layout that shows the floor space required.
5. Logistics/Materials Plans
In this section, we identify long lead items and vendor quality requirements, as well as create an ordering plan for the internal prototype forecast and later production units. We also identify product packaging and shipping plans.
6. Personnel and Related Costs
This part of the plan projects direct labor and direct labor overhead goals and estimates. It also estimates the number of people needed, the training required, the special talent required, and estimated manufacturing cycle time.
7. Training Requirements
If new processes are developed or new equipment put in place, we specify the training requirements for various operations personnel. We also indicate who will develop and deliver this training, as well as the type of training required and the projected class sizes.
8. Other Specifications
Finally, we detail other key specifications, including equipment failure mode effects analysis, equipment preventive maintenance plans, equipment calibration plans, and ESD controls.
Developing the Manufacturing Plan
How do we develop this new product manufacturing checklist? We start by creating the first draft during the development phase of your project, working directly with your team. Then we discuss the plan and bring any questions or issues to team meetings and pertinent design reviews. We use this feedback, as well as any new information, to revise the manufacturing plan before the beta build or as it enters into next phases of production. The final version of the plan is then distributed and approved by all parties.
Planning Matters
At Sonic Manufacturing Technologies, we recognize the importance of planning before initiating the manufacturing process for your new products. You can depend on our manufacturing and materials knowledge and experience to develop comprehensive plans for your new product introductions.
For expert advice, thorough new product manufacturing checklists and guidance throughout the new product introduction process, be sure to contact Sonic Manufacturing Technologies at (510) 580-8500 or online at sales@sonicmfg.com.