How We Collaborate with You.
Navigating Our R&D Process.
At ADOTT, our mission is simple yet profound: to ensure our customers’ satisfaction through our R&D Process by understanding their unique requirements, delivering impeccable engineering services on time, and constantly improving. As proud members of the IEC, we guarantee that our Ex-design services adhere to the highest industry standards.
We’ve developed a custom internal process to enhance collaboration and communication with our customers, a process closely intertwined with project timeline management. Our processes undergo periodic enhancements to ensure more effective and efficient workflows. We learn something new from every customer and project, incorporating these lessons to continually add value.
Let’s delve into the framework of our process, offering a sneak peek to our future clients on what to expect from us. Our R&D process is illustrated below:
Let’s take a closer look at each step to understand its significance:
The prominent feature of this flowchart is that Project Management permeates the entire process. Coordination and continuous client updates, as needed, are crucial for preparing, executing, and successfully closing each step. Depending on the project’s complexity, communication can range from daily to weekly, involving our engineers or just our Project Manager.
Customer Concept or Idea Exploration - The Beginning of R&D Process
Sometimes, customers come to us with groundbreaking ideas that demand innovative solutions. We conduct thorough research to understand the concept fully. When prepared, we develop a concept validation plan.
Set Up of System Architecture Process
After refining the idea, we create the project’s system architecture. This outlines the blocks and milestones necessary for product or equipment documentation or prototype development. It also defines the relationships between these elements and their sequence.
Discuss and Prepare the Specification
Precisely defining parameters is vital for both the final outcome and project details. During the specification process, we assess the project’s limitations and risks. We create the specification in collaboration with the customer. Afterward, we estimate individual tasks, refine the project timeline, resource requirements, and share a quotation with the customer.
Design Phase for Hardware, Software, or Mechanical
Once parameters are clarified, we begin designing the product or equipment. Hardware and mechanical design commence in parallel, with ongoing communication between the two teams. If necessary, we start building the foundations of the software, like software drivers.
After reaching each milestone, we consult with the customer, making them an integral part of the product’s evolution. Upon completing the design phase, we prepare manufacturing documents for unique components and compile the Bill of Materials (BOM), containing all integrated parts.
Components or Services Ordering in our R&D Process
Should customers require assistance in procurement (e.g., requesting quotes, identifying alternative manufacturers or suppliers), we’re here to help. We initiate and oversee component procurement based on the BOM. We verify quantities and quality upon arrival, addressing non-conformities following our quality management system‘s guidelines.
Design Validation Build with Low-Volume Manufacturing
To ensure product compliance, validation tests are performed on prototypes. These Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) are unique, as some components aren’t cost-effective to manufacture using final technology. Our goal is to minimize the differences between MVPs and the final product to streamline testing. Prototype production usually involves a small batch, typically not exceeding ten units.
During prototype manufacturing, we test the product’s manufacturability and refine the production process. We aim to optimize costs and specify manufacturing processes and parameters.
Design Validation Tests Process Based on Specification
Critical points or values specified in the specification undergo testing, especially those where certified measurements are required. We can perform simpler tests—where certified measurements aren’t needed—internally (e.g., drop tests, surface resistivity, hot or cold functional tests, UN38.3). For certified measurements or product certification, we can assist (e.g., IP6X certificate, ATEX certificate).
Finalization Process of Design Files
We update product documentation after testing and customer acceptance. Ideally, customers start using prototypes, internally testing and providing feedback. After the initial reception, additional development or feature requests may arise, which can be implemented in this phase or trigger new development cycles.
Release of Documents and R&D Process End: The Project Closing
Project closure involves delivering predefined items (manufacturing documents, New Product Introduction (NPI) documents, prototypes, etc.) and releasing design files. We share these items as per the customer’s preferences (e.g., files in a shared folder, prototypes shipped to their office, etc.). Upon receipt and acceptance of these deliveries, customers issue a completion certificate, marking the end of our collaborative project. However, our support remains available throughout their product’s lifecycle.
After clarifying our design process, let’s explore some projects our clients have brought to us:
What Kind of Projects Do Our Clients Come to Us With?
Clients approach us with unique, innovative ideas aimed at addressing specific problems or market gaps. We validate these ideas, creating Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) for testing and further development.
Existing products sometimes need additional components or devices. These may range from simple mechanical parts to complex electronic and software-integrated devices.
We’re entrusted with the development and testing of Intrinsic Safe (IS) products or systems from scratch, enabling clients to enter new market segments.
Clients seek to transform existing products by adding new features, improving functionality, and enhancing the user experience.
We assist in preparing for the manufacturing of products designed by us or others. This includes developing manufacturing processes, documenting them, designing necessary equipment or tools, and conducting testing.
We support clients in obtaining certification for products, systems, or manufacturing processes, whether designed by us or others.
Ready to collaborate with us on your next project? We’re here to turn your concepts into reality, your challenges into solutions, and your visions into certified products. Get in touch!
