Keys to Designing and Manufacturing a New Product

Summary Doug Wilson, the founder and CTO of Fiber QA, shares his journey of starting the company and developing a product for fiber in-phase inspection. The company initially offered a software product and later added hardware to fully automate the process. They have since developed multiple models of their inspection system, catering to both commercial and military clients. Doug emphasizes the importance of listening to customer needs and finding the right balance between being a bulldog and knowing when to let go. He also discusses the challenges of integrating software and hardware and the role of 3D printing in the product development process. In this conversation, Doug Wilson discusses the challenges and opportunities of scaling up production, the importance of marketing and video content in reaching a larger audience, and his involvement in developing standards for fiber optic inspection. He emphasizes the need for companies to be ready for production and the potential benefits of contract manufacturing. Doug also highlights the importance of reducing supply chain friction and the cost savings that can be achieved through automation. He shares his passion for the industry and his involvement in standards bodies as a way to give back and establish a reputation.Keywords Fiber QA, fiber in-phase inspection, software product, hardware automation, customer needs, integration, 3D printing, scaling up production, marketing, video content, contract manufacturing, supply chain friction, cost savings, automation, fiber optic inspection, standards developmentTakeaways Fiber QA started as a software product and later added hardware to fully automate the fiber in-phase inspection process. Listening to customer needs and finding the right balance between persistence and flexibility is crucial in product development. Integrating software and hardware can be challenging, and it requires collaboration between different disciplines. 3D printing is a valuable tool in the product development process, allowing for rapid prototyping and refinement of designs. Scaling manufacturing processes for high-volume production requires careful preparation and readiness to meet increased demand. Companies need to be ready for production in order to seize opportunities and avoid missing out Video content is a powerful tool for educating the market and reaching a larger audience Contract manufacturing can be a scalable solution for scaling up production Reducing supply chain friction through automation and inspection can lead to significant cost savings Involvement in standards development can help establish a reputation and contribute to the industryWe hope you enjoyed this episode of Manufacturing Insiders Podcast! Please like and subscribe and share with your network if you think someone else might find this conversation valuable! To connect with Doug Wilson from FiberQA click HERETo connect with Nate Wheeler click HERETo watch the show click HEREThis episode is brought to you by weCreate.The Best Marketing Agency for Manufacturers.