| Recently, manufacturers have started to move | | | | involve getting molded keypads from one place, |
| away from ordering molded keypads as separate | | | | circuit boards from another and other interface |
| components for their equipment interfaces. | | | | components from still more vendors. If any of |
| Instead they are saving time and money by | | | | these vendors experiences a production problem |
| ordering entire control assemblies that include | | | | or goes out of business, the entire assembly |
| keypad and circuitry. | | | | process comes to a halt. Finding a vendor who |
| Faster Equipment Manufacture | | | | provides completed control assemblies means |
| Time is money and if a manufacturer can | | | | dealing with a single source in the supply chain. |
| produce a device faster, that translates to lower | | | | There is less chance of any complication affecting |
| expenses and greater profits. Process optimization | | | | the manufacturing process. |
| leads to more efficient production lines that is | | | | Component Compatibility |
| important during these highly competitive times. | | | | Manufacturers are never completely sure |
| Even a small advantage translates to major | | | | components from different vendors will work |
| savings for a company when performed over | | | | together. Ordering parts manufactured to tight |
| large production runs. | | | | tolerances is expensive, but allowing variations |
| Using keypad assemblies rather than separate | | | | that are too large guarantees headaches as |
| molded keypads, circuit boards and associated | | | | different components don't quite fit with each |
| components simplifies the manufacturing process. | | | | other. |
| It's easier to install a single subassembly rather | | | | Ordering a control assembly from a single vendor |
| than several parts. It's faster and there are fewer | | | | ensures each component has already been tested |
| chances for mistakes that could cause faults in | | | | with each other. Molded keypads are already fit |
| the device. This means fewer devices in the | | | | into the frames and contacts are perfectly lined |
| reject bin and less need for replacement | | | | up to match the underlying circuitry. Clients don't |
| manufacturing. Faster production and lower failure | | | | have to worry about small differences in |
| rate allows organizations to improve fabrication | | | | manufacturing from different vendors leading to |
| rates and get more devices manufactured in a | | | | misaligned controls and non-functioning control |
| day. | | | | panels. |
| Easier Parts Management | | | | Many keypad manufacturers offer assembly |
| Most devices produced today involve thousands | | | | services in addition to their standard keypad |
| of parts from individual screws to major | | | | products. Clients need to provide a schematic, bill |
| subassemblies. The logistics involved keeping | | | | of materials and component requirements to start |
| inventories up and manufacturing lines supplied is | | | | the process to create completed and tested |
| daunting. Reducing the number of components by | | | | control assemblies. Companies that transition from |
| using control assemblies rather than separate | | | | ordering separate components to using |
| molded keypads simplifies the parts management | | | | subassemblies are often surprised by how much |
| process. | | | | and how quickly their production efficiency |
| Using assemblies can also drop the number of | | | | improves. |
| vendors needed. A traditional control design may | | | | |