Engineering

Cirtronics' engineering staff supports our technical processes and our internal organization as well as our customers' technical needs on many different levels. Our goal is to be involved early in the design phase of new product to assist in developing the best layout for ease of manufacturing and cost reduction.

Our current capabilities include:

• NPI - New Product Introduction reviews starting at the quotation stage
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Design for Testability (DFT)
• New Technology/Advanced Manufacturing Studies
• Cost Reduction Programs
• Customer technical support and trouble-shooting

Exercise Room

In an effort to encourage employee wellness, Cirtronics has a large recreation center within our contract manufacturing facility. Employees may utilize the fitness center quality exercise equipment and game tables during breaks and after workday hours. As a compliment to the equipment, Cirtronics regularly offers on-site physical fitness training and nutrition programs.

Inventory Management

Cirtronics provides full turnkey contract manufacturing services, beginning with material procurement. We collaborate with our suppliers to assure material availability while minimizing customer liabilities.

Some of the philosophies used for inventory/supplier management include:

• MRP system for inventory control
• MRP sharing with key suppliers for forecasted and discrete programs
• Dock to stock supplier programs
• ARS (Automated Replenishment System)
• Principles of FIFO in place
• Barcode system at receiving for component ID and stock location
• Quality and delivery feedback to suppliers
• Business reviews with key suppliers minimum 2X per year

I.T.

Cirtronics is equipped with automated systems and supporting technical staff to quickly and efficiently manage data internally and externally with our customers and suppliers.

Our contract manufacturing organization has current capabilities that include:

• FTP and Email servers
• Wifi
• Max ERP by Exact Software
• Dynamics Accounting by Microsoft Corporation
• Internal application development using Filemaker Pro
• QuoteFX for streamlined quoting
• Aegis manufacturing execution software
• Data Protection: Firewall, Server and Workstation virus scanners, Email virus scanners, Spam Filters and Veritas Backup Exec

Cirtronics Organizational Learning Center

One of Cirtronics 2010 initiatives is to create a holistic in-house learning center to foster the technical, social and cultural integration of new hires as well as preparing employees to take on new roles and responsibilities. It is our mission to have the core philosophies of our organization nurtured and sustained as we continue to grow and evolve.

Utilizing a University model with "schools" focused on different areas of learning, we can teach corporate values, job skills, life skills, and facilitate continuous improvement. The establishment of this segregated learning center environment, with dedicated staffing, enforces our commitment to our employees, and will allow them to pursue new opportunities and grow both personally and professionally.

Machine Shop

Cirtronics maintains a fully equipped machine shop allowing us the flexibility to make process improvement fixtures and tooling on a quick turn basis for our manufacturing organization.

The area is staffed with skilled machinists and the following equipment:

• Sharpe high-speed precision tool room lathe, equipped with ACU-RITE digital readout - Model #1118H
• Sharpe 'Millpwr' 3-axis CNC/manual vertical miller - Model# OMV
• ACRA 7"X12" metal cutting portable band saw - Model #UE712V/H
• Delta 6" variable speed bench jointer - Model #JT160
• Delta 4" belt/6" disc sander - Model #SA446
• Minitul miniature cut-off saw - Model #500
• Delta contractors table saw - Model #10"
• Chevalier 618M hand feed surface grinder
• Lincoln Electric precision Tig 275 welder
• Lucifer RD7-H14 heat treat furnace

Methods Engineering

We believe in investing the time upfront to understand customer requirements and expectations with the goal of completing each project right the first time.

The Cirtronics methods engineering group:

• Verifies the documentation is complete and at the correct revision levels
• Analyzes the components to ensure that they are correct to the BOM and bare board
• Establishes the process flow through manufacturing
• Develops a method sheet for detailed instructions unique to the assembly
• Incorporates ECO's and process changes into the documentation package
• Releases the working documents and visuals to the production floor utilizing Aegis software

Quality

When asked how many employees are in Quality at Cirtronics' contract manufacturing facility, our first response is that all our employees are in Quality. And quality doesn't just end when the product ships; Cirtronics also embraces the philosophy of continuous improvement.

The following are our primary certifications and specifications.

• ISO 9001:2000 certified through TUV since 1995
• CE, CSA, UL certified on specific products
• Medical, RF and Security programs supported with IPC 610 Level II and III manufacturing specifications
• RoHS and ITAR compliant

Receiving

Our receiving team is responsible for both the incoming inspection and the processing of electronic and mechanical parts into inventory. This dual responsibility eliminates an administrative hand off and allows us to process receipts faster. Components are accepted or rejected per the purchase order specifications and appropriate inspection criteria. Accepted components are entered into our computer system and visually labeled either RoHS or non-RoHS before being placed into inventory. We utilize a barcoding system for stock location identification and each receipt is dated to manage FIFO.

Cirtronics' receiving area is also part of our environmentally friendly packaging program. Vendors are asked to partake in green activities when packaging and shipping product to us. Our supplier network utilizes packaging that we can reuse and recycle whenever possible.

SMT Set-up

Cirtronics programs the SMT machines and pre-kits the materials for auto-insertion in a dedicated area outside of production. This allows our production lines to mazimize throughput in our high-mix environment.

• Dedicated programming / job set-up area
• Agilis style feeder / clips reducing repeat set up time
• Over $2M invested in feeders

A key premise of lean manufacturing is to run kanban lot sizes based on customer consumption versus large batch sizes that maximize machine set-ups. Most contract manufacturing organizations cannot accommodate the true kanban model based on the inflexibility of their equipment and processes.

Cirtronics standardized on the Mydata pick and place platform because it was designed for the high-mix, low to medium volume electronic manufacturing environment. Mydata lines are known for their ability to quickly change the machine over from job to job, while maintaining a high speed placement rate through the Hydra chipshooter head.

Skills Lab

Cirtronics' Skills Lab is a fully equipped training facility and classroom for employee education and testing. 3% of payroll dollars are invested in employee training and education in both job related and life skills.

Training offering includes:

• IPC 610 Levels II and III
• New certifications and recertification
• ESD and proper handling of electronics
• WHMA 620
• Hazmat
• Documentation training
• Inspection
• Lot control and traceability
• Computer training