Taking a look at how Boston Engineering helped an instrument provider enter two markets fast.
The semiconductor industry is one of the most competitive and fast-evolving sectors, where companies must continuously innovate to stay ahead. When an instrument provider needed to launch its next-generation products quickly across two distinct markets, Boston Engineering provided the engineering expertise to make it happen—successfully delivering two product platforms with an integrated development strategy.
The focus and discipline of DFX is a powerful tool if used as part of a broader strategic approach to developing product/process differentiation, and a sustainable advantage against competition. Involve Design for X in Strategy. Once your team has determined the focus of your strategy, place the focus of design on developing competitive advantage.
At Boston Engineering, DFX is a core part of creating values during our product development process. We focus on several key DFX areas that align with our expertise:
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
- Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Design for Cost (DFC)
- Design for Testability (DFT)
- Design for Reliability (DFR)
- Design for Serviceability/Maintainability (DFS)
- Design for Usability (DFU)
- Design for Modularity (DFMo)
Learn more about Design for X (DFX) at Boston engineering: Boston Engineering Design for X
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The Challenge: Speed, Precision, and Market Differentiation
The client faced a critical challenge: developing two distinct yet interconnected product platforms—one fully automated and another manual—while meeting high-performance standards. Given the competitive landscape, time-to-market was a key factor, making it imperative to optimize the engineering process for speed, accuracy, and scalability.
Boston Engineering’s Approach: A Dual-Platform Strategy
To meet the client’s needs, Boston Engineering leveraged a system-level approach across electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. Their solution revolved around designing two product platforms in one, allowing for rapid development while maintaining a high degree of flexibility.
Key engineering strategies included:
- Designing a fully automated system integrating a robot and pre-aligner, reducing human intervention and increasing efficiency.
- Developing a manual bench-top product, ensuring accessibility for research and smaller-scale applications.
- Implementing non-contact, full-surface scanning to precisely measure semiconductor wafers.
- Achieving high-precision materials measurement across multiple wafer types, including Si, GaAs, InP, SiC, and Ge.
- Providing tabular and 3D output capabilities for comprehensive data visualization.
- Ensuring a Class 10 internal environment (HEPA) to maintain strict contamination control standards.
- Designing a vibration control frame architecture to enhance measurement accuracy.
- Incorporating optical character recognition (OCR) for streamlined identification and processing.
Interested in providing your product development team with DFX skills? Learn More about our Applied DFX process and development workshops.
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The Results: Accelerated Development & Cost Savings
Boston Engineering directed the entire project from concept through manufacturing transfer, including supply chain development. The results were transformative:
- Rapid prototyping: Built the alpha system in just six months—accelerating time-to-market.
- Optimized performance: Ensured precision, serviceability, and long-term reliability.
- Cost efficiency: Reduced costs for beta and production systems without sacrificing quality.
- Market success: Successfully commercialized products targeting both high-volume production facilities and research laboratories.
A Competitive Edge in Semiconductor Innovation
By integrating a system-level engineering approach, Boston Engineering enabled the client to enter two markets quickly and effectively. Their expertise in product design, automation, and precision engineering ensured a seamless transition from concept to commercialization—giving the client a powerful competitive edge in the semiconductor industry.
For companies looking to accelerate product development without compromising quality, Boston Engineering continues to be a trusted partner in innovation.
Ready to bring your engineering vision to life?
Contact Boston Engineering today to explore how they can help you navigate complex design challenges and achieve time-to-market faster.
New eBook Available Now!
"Leveling Up Existing Products through DFX"
-Download Insights from a DFX Subject Matter Expert-
Developing successful new products from scratch is challenging enough, but what about improving on existing designs?
In this eBook, we’ll dive into the real-world experiences of DFX subject matter expert John DePiano, exploring the common areas where existing product owners excel, as well as the key opportunities where targeted DFX support can drive major improvements.
Understanding the Importance of a DFX approach
Applying Design for X (DFX) methodologies upfront in product development optimizes the entire lifecycle by improving manufacturability, testability, reliability, usability, and other critical characteristics. This avoids costly redesigns later on, facilitates high-quality products that satisfy customers, reduces manufacturing and service costs, and supports flexibility through modularity and platforms. The holistic perspective of DFX drives efficient, cost-effective delivery of successful products that provide competitive advantage. Investing in DFX early pays dividends across the entire product lifespan.
Do you offer training on DFX for engineering teams?
Education is critical to effectively implement DFX principles. We provide training tailored to your engineers’ roles and product lines. This includes overall DFX methodology, deep dives into specific disciplines like design for reliability or manufacturability, and practical application workshops. Our hands-on approach combines real-world examples and case studies with tutorials on leading DFX software tools. The goal is building organizational DFX expertise and establishing repeatable processes that endure beyond individual projects. Investing in DFX knowledge pays dividends across your entire product portfolio.
Ready to Begin your next DFX Project?
Whether you’ve created a new technology, or have an innovative way to use an existing solution, Boston Engineering will turn your ideas into reality. Our experts and Industry Partners will enhance your current team or manage the entire Product Development Process from Market Analysis to Production. Don't leave complex projects or high visibility product launches to chance. Know you're going to get the results you want by working with industry leaders in design, development, and deployment of innovative products driven by Novel Engineering. Contact Boston Engineering Today to get started.
No matter the challenge, our team possesses the expertise in the engineering disciplines and technologies you need to bring your vision to life. Impossible Challenge? Try Us.
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Impossible Challenge? Try Us.
Selecting a partner to help you complete your design project is a valuable option to reduce project duration and save money.
The Boston Engineering product development system encompasses DFX to ensure a smooth product launch and success in the marketplace. Boston Engineering has DFX knowledge and experience to address aspects and values of a product such as manufacturability, test, reliability, safety, serviceability, cost, and compliance with industry standards and government regulations.
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