When it comes to working with clients like the military, quality and reliability in all areas of manufacturing is crucial because their applications are too critical to fail. This is most certainly the case with electro-mechanical assemblies. After all, the military aims at running as smoothly as possible, and in order to do this, the right materials in their computing & mechanical systems are paramount to their success.
In order to understand electro-mechanical assemblies in terms of military applications, it is perhaps best to look at the construction & use of these assemblies in terms of 1) what they are; 2) the ability to deliver the necessary materials; 3) having the proper certification; and 4) the ability to deliver a finished product on time.
In essence, a device with an electrical & mechanical component can be referred to as electro-mechanical. Think moving parts powered by electricity or that have electricity running through them. There are an endless number of devices that can qualify under this definition, but typically you are referring to things related to computers or that are operated by computers. Items such as fan tray assemblies, box build assemblies, and switch & sensor assemblies all constitute electro-mechanical assemblies.
With respect to the military, assemblies are put through to the test because they will face tougher field conditions. A typical assembly might do the job, but as with most things military, there’s a need for electro-mechanical assemblies to go a bit further. Again, you’re talking about an industry that has critical missions that depend on all equipment to be working at all times. Failure is not an option. As the military contracts this type of work out, they, too, need to be sure that the manufacturer they plan on working with can actually produce what they need.
It’s also important that the prospective manufacturer the military plans on working with for its electro-mechanical assembly needs has skilled employees that are fully trained & are up-to-date with current regulations & industry standards. Moreover, it’s important to know what type of industry credentials a manufacturer carries. Certifications should include IPC/WHMA/UL certificates, as well as ITAR compliance, and they should have qualification in MIL Specifications.
Finally, the military depends on a strict adherence to lead times for delivery of goods. While the budgetary concerns a general commercial industry may face are different for a government agency, there is still a need to respect said agency’s schedule. Losing track of when materials will be delivered can be of grave consequence to the military. Both parties need to be in full communication at all junctures of the manufacturing process to be sure a contracted production date will be kept.
Electro-mechanical assemblies can be found in just about any industry you can think of that uses a combination of electrical and/or mechanical components. Military assembly needs take on a more pronounced significance, requiring efficiency in the manufacturing & production process, rigorous testing, and strict standards in both industry credentials & delivery lead times.