Competences
When knowledge and expierence merge into one. With us you get electronic products from a single source.
You are welcome to present us with compley challenges. Together with you, we are able to reconcile a wide range of requirements, go trough a structured process and come up with innovative and convincing solutions.
With solid requirements and project management, Feo Elektronik GmbH ensures that you know your costs before the start of a project and can rely on time, quality and budget. Feo Elektronik GmbH guides you safely and economically trough the entire process right from the start.
We are agile
What matters to us –
What is important?
At Feo Elektronik GmbH …
… individuals and interactions count more than process and tools.
- The best products are created when everyone involved in the development process contributesd and interacts with the same objective, regardless of organizational affiliation, the tools used or the processes described.
… a working product counts for more than comrehensive documentation.
- Of course, extensive, reliable technical documentation is created in the development porocess at Feo Elektronik GmbH. However, usable patterns emerge very early on, which secure the chosen direction of allow any necessary corrections.
… working with you counts more than contract negotiations.
- We want to develop your product together with you. The necessary contract should create the framework for this, but not hinder it
… responding to change matters more than following a plan.
- New wishes arise during development that will make the product better? Are there new possibilities that you hadn’t considered before? We react flexibly because we are pursuing the same goal: to develop and produce the ideal product for you. The product specification is a living work that can and should grow over the entire product life cycle.
Our „agile“ Values:
Product conception
Every product development is only as good as the previously defined criteria and framework. In short: clearly formulated requirements lead to the right solutions. Together with reliable project management, this is the most important linchpin for your economic success.
Our requirements management ensures a common understanding between all project participants. This happens in two steps: the requirements analysis and the functional specification.
01 Requirement
We hate flops. We love sucsess.
The requirements analysis:
The product task is described in detail and in the form of a standard-compliant benefit requirement for different user groups, system environments and system requirements, without already addressing possible solutions. The must and desired requirements are recorded separately and all information about the competition and the pre-development / preliminary investigation is discussed.
The functional specification: The range of functions for the system is now precisely defined and refined to such an extent that all specifications and interfaces – especially the graphical user interface – are described.
Both processes ultimately lead to the system architecture and specification of all subcomponents. Traceability is just as important throughout the process as ensuring correct test conditions and integral risk management. The documents created at Feo are auditable for medical devices.
Of course, schedules and deadline expectations are coordinated. Our project management ensures the correct process and compliance with the economic criteria already defined in the offer phase.
02 Competitive analysis
Always one step ahead or more.
Differentiation from the competition makes a product successful. Exact knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages not only leads to clear requirements, but is also incorporated throughout the entire development process right up to the production considerations. The competitive analysis is prepared using a matrix that defines the main fields of comparison and relates them to one another. The specific analysis of comparable products is carried out together with the customer. The evaluations of e.g. function, parameters or operation are included in the matrix and result in a comparison with conclusions and requirements for further product development. The results are systematically evaluated and documented and discussed as recommendations for action.
03 Design concept
Your idea gets clear contours.
Even before the final product design, an initial idea of the later design must be developed. This happens in two important process stages: the conception of different design drafts and the first draft draft, which can already depict a relatively clear idea of the later result. The design concept: According to the requirements, the design concept is created for three possible drafts, which already reveal the shape and basic structure of the housing. In principle, aspects of general manufacturability and the requirements of the target group are taken into account. The alternatives should give the opportunity to examine and evaluate various characteristics, the housing concept, the operation, etc. more closely. The design is presented in proportional design sketches (renderings) and graphic representations. Draft elaboration and design detailing: In the detailed design of the selected draft or the synthesis of interesting design aspects from the conception phase, the final draft is now approached. Further discussed details are taken into account and a CAD modeling of the draft is created, taking into account the general production and assembly requirements. In this phase, information on the surface (structure), material and color is already given and the attachment of possible product markings and product labels is taken into account. The result is 3D data that can be handed over to the design department.
04 Functional concept
Hooray – we know how it works
We define the user interface in its function and design. The electronics, the mechanical structure and the software are described in detail. And we know the expected development and manufacturing costs, including tool costs. Dates are fixed. We know. The functional concept creates clarity on several levels:
1. Design and conception of the user interface (MMI): Development of the interface based on the existing sign languageDesign in analogy to existing icons and under corporate design criteriaCreative design of the graphic elements and iconsDefinition of font families and coloringDesign for the navigation and ergonomics of the displayAlternative representation of the graphical user interfacePresentation of selected operating modes for the selection of the design variantDesign sketches and structure of the graphic displayRating symbolism, reduced text, language and icons internationally
2. Design of electronics, mechanics and software: Electronics and mechanical constructionConsideration of quantity and manufacturing processIntegration into existing housing or design of a new housing
3. Definition of further data & facts: Estimation of the manufacturing costsEstimation of the development price including tool costsscheduling
05 Documentation
You know every detail and every cost.
In the documentation, all results are summarized and recorded in the form of a commented PDF documentation and presentation. The genetic blueprint has been worked out and can now be found in black and white in a meaningful study. A written fixation is the basis of a common agreement on the subsequent process steps. We create the presentation both as a PDF and in the form of a printed and bound document. The documents contain all the design drafts, the various mechanical and electronic concepts and all the economic factors. We call horse and rider: production price, development price and schedule for each concept. Binding!
Product design
Finally, in the product design, the selected design concept or the final design draft is worked out in detail in connection with the technical requirements. The strategy, the idea, the technical feasibility and the achievement of goals are checked in this final design phase. In the event of deviations or potential for optimization, the product design is corrected again.
06 Produktdesign
Good design makes function possible in the first place
The fusion of design and function goes into the final details. All functions must be executable according to the requirements, the ergonomics must be guaranteed as well as the technical design and construction. The product design is subjected to a practical text. Final 3D drawings, principle designs and CAD visualizations are now supplemented with functional models and prototypes. A production-ready design is then already carried out in coordination with production. The first pre-series enable more extensive use tests and ensure manufacturability.
The check for efficiency, evaluation of the haptics, crash test and safety tests take place in this phase, as does the application for the necessary certifications or seals of approval. Ultimately, the results are also documented, property rights are registered and transport and packaging are decided.
Product development
Targeted and result-oriented product development is precisley defined in the specifications. All goals, framework conditions, criteria, functions and expected results for the product are described.
For you the confirmation of your expetations – for us the recipe book.
07 Specification book
We only do what we can but 100%
1. The system (electronics, hardware, software for embedded systems, e.g. for medical technology or drive technology), the objective, the area of application, the framework conditions and the potential are described in an overview.
2. The risk analysis and research for standards and approvals defines further product criteria (equipment safety, electrical and functional safety, EMC, CE marking or UL / CSA / FDA / TÜV approval / environmental requirements etc.).
3. Hardware and software development, design and mechanics are described exactly. Properties, functions and their tests must also be defined, as well as the mechanical structure and all necessary interfaces of the electronics. The criteria for ergonomics are defined. Ambient conditions, operating time, service life and the expected life cycle are recorded, as well as the type of electronics tests required and repairability.
4. Usability is the top priority in product development. The requirements for the operating elements of the electronic hardware and software (e.g. resistive / capacitive touch, membrane keyboard, display, etc.) and the design are recorded. 5. The selection of the right test conditions and the description of the test station and test procedure ensure quality in electronics development.
08 Electronics development
Today it is not the wires that are glowing, but our brains.
The development process at Feo takes into account optimally dimensioned, up-to-date and at the same time proven electronic components from well-known manufacturers. Our second-source concept also ensures the availability of the electronic components in the event of bottlenecks, failures or long product life cycles. Part of the electronics development is of course the creation of circuit diagrams, layouts and ensuring compliance with the EMC-relevant standards of our products. For sensitive industries, such as medical technology, we are qualified and able to handle the necessary approvals and tests for you. Our electronics development is secured in the qualification phases by tests already defined in the specification. The results are comprehensively documented. Reviews according to the four-eyes principle are a matter of course. We create suitable test stations for the individual requirements of the electronics, so that the commissioning has already been thoroughly secured in advance.
09 Software development
Prefect function requires intelligence.
Our software development starts with the specification. It contains hardware-related driver functions, low-level routines – adapted to the microcontroller family used – and ends in embedded software or an application with a graphic user interface or touch-sensitive operation.
We constantly have new ideas to make electronic products more intelligent, more communicative and more efficient. Abstracted levels and modules enable flexible processor switching reducing software development time and code maintenance. A fault-tolerant and robust implementation as well as standardized self-tests are a matter of course. The following microcontrollers are used here:
Texas Instruments (TI) C2000 / 28x Piccolo / 28xx Fixed Point Series / TMS320F280x / TMS320F281x / TMS320F2802x / TMS320F2803x / TMS320F2801 / TMS320F2806 / TMS320F2809 / TMS320F2811 / TMS320F28032 / TMS320F28035 / TMS320F28021 / MSP430, diverse Varianten. Feo Electronics is a third party company of Texas Instruments. Fujitsu F2MC-16LX / MB90350 Series / MB91360 FR50 SeriesFreescale HCS08 / HC08 / Digital Signal Controller DSC / DSP56F80x / CodeWarriorMicrochip PIC 16F8xx, NXP LPC2400 / LPC2300 / LPC2470, NEC 78K0 Various manufacturers: ARM Cortex M3 – NXP / LPC1850, ST – STM32F205 / STM32L152, Cortex M4 – TI, LM4F232, ARM7 / 8051 /ARM720T/ HMS30C7202 Tools Rowley Crossworks for ARM / TI CCS3.3, 5.4 / eclipse/ gcc / Segger JLINK, JTAG/ (hitex HiTop), Accemic MDE, Fujitsu Softuneon requires intelligence.
10 Construction
From the inside to the outside
An important part of our product development is the constrction. According to the specifications and the specifications from product design, the construction of the product is subject to the economic, technical, ergonomic and creative-visual specifications.
THe construction is highly dependent on the materials to be used and the manufactoring process. As a rule, we plan and use plastic or metal that is processed by injection molding, machining or coninious casting. Our design used the Solidworks software.
11 A-B-Samples
That’s how it feels! Expierence your product.
Call it what you want: sample production, pre-series, prototype, pilot series – product development is only over when a sample is created under production conditions that meets all requirements in its final state.
We ensure the manufacturability and a smooth manufacturing process of your product for you. Lab results are one thing. However, efficient and cost-optimized production is only ensured by creating AB samples. Only in this way can you secure series production in advance, carry out series-related (field) tests and react in good time to optimization potential.
We take over the coordination and the production of the samples, the procurement of the necessary material and take care of the commissioning and – if necessary – the timely elimination of errors.
12 Approvals
We clear the way. Secure.
During development, standards must be taken into account and approvals obtained and granted. We will take care of the formal legal steps for you. The necessary requirements for this have already been defined in the specifications and the entire development process has been designed in such a way that the required criteria are met.
We develop according to national and international standards. As a result, nothing stands in the way of your CE marking in Europe. National approvals, e.g. B. a type examination or international approval procedures, such as by UL, CSA, or FDA/510K, have been and are supervised or carried out by us for you. In addition, we meet important quality standards such as ISO 9001 and create risk analyzes and FMEA.
In the field of medical technology, we naturally work according to the following standards: IEC 60601-1 (3rd Edition) / Directive 93/42/EEC (New EU Directive 2007/47/EG) / IEC 62304 / EN ISO 13485:2016 + AC:2009.
Production
The manufacture of electronic products must be planned in good time. An essential step and an important criterion is ensuring the producrement of materials under the definded conditions.
13 Material prdurement
Everything there, as discussed
The timely examination and consideration of required materials for the subsequent manufacturing process of electronic products is a fundamental task. All important criteria are compiled in the customer forecast and the implementation of the procurement processes is examined in detail. We create a material requirements plan, plan and initiate purchasing and handle allocation situations with expert engineers. They check second-source sources and look for alternative components that may no longer be available on the market or may not be available for long.
14 Production
Since the offer we think of nothing else.
We wouldn’t be Feo if we didn’t think our ideas through to production. The manufacturability of the electronic products already plays a central role in the offer phase. The manufacturing process is not at the end of a logical chain, but accompanies the entire product development process. The manufacturing process focuses primarily on the two most important components of the products: the electronics and the mechanics.
The production of the electronics, e.g. B. chip on board, via the assembly in different and known methods. Electronic components can be attached to boards via THT (wave soldering (ROHS-compliant and leaded, automated selective soldering) or assembled in high-speed SMD lines (BGA, µBGA, 0201).
The manufacturing processes of the housings for the developed electronic products depend on the materials used. Housings or components made of plastic are usually produced using the injection molding process. Metal elements, for example made of aluminum, can be produced by machining or using continuous casting and die casting processes.
15 Examination
Just to be absolutely sure: Is everything perfect?
As the last step in the manufacturing process of an electronic product, quality assurance and testing is the most important protection against complaints and failure in the market.
Error-free electronics production is ensured using different, often coupled processes. On the one hand, a final automatic optical inspection (AOI) ensures flawless assembly and processing.
On the other hand, there are other established standards, such as the in-circuit test (ICT), a final functional test (FKT) and a high-voltage test. The appropriate test procedures for the developed electronics are defined at the beginning of the process.
16 Delivery
We deliver as requested. In whole or in part.
If you do not need a fully assembled product, only the electronic assemblies or modules for final product assembly will be delivered to you. Guidelines for delivery are drawn up to ensure problem-free shipping and smooth further processing. The electronic assemblies are packed in an ESD-compliant manner and made ready for dispatch.
However, fully assembled complete devices must also be prepared for dispatch and delivery and are subject to criteria that are defined and communicated in good time. What is important here is knowledge of the logistics processes, the requirements for transport and the best possible protection of the goods under time and economic criteria.
Sucsessful on the market for 28 years. We are certified and socially committed.
- In 2020 we celebrated our 25th anniversary together with the chamber of commerce (IHK Weingarten).
- The TÜV certifies us with the certification of a comprehensive quality management system according to ISO 9001:2015 and – industry-specific for the field of medical technology DIN EN ISO 13485:2016.
- In addition, in 2020 we were awarded the SME prize for social responsibility in Baden-Württemberg for our social commitment.