Design
What is Product Design?
Product Design is the process of implementing the Product Architecture. Outputs and deliverables of the Product Design phase are used to manufacture and enable the functionality of the work product. Similar to Product Architecture, Product Design requires interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the details of each disciplines design interoperate with one-another to meet the requirements of the product.
For most products, multiple iterations (or “spins”) of the Design Phase are required prior to volume production. An initial Prototype is created to prove out the product concept and functionality, while follow-on spins are used to fine tune product details and incorporate any findings during the Test Phase.
Arira’s role in Product Design
During the Product Design phase, Arira will leverage existing libraries and generate new ones where necessary to create files for the manufacturing of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly(s) (PCBA) used in the product. Reviews of the Design will be held with team members of other disciplines involved in the project to ensure mechanical fit, electrical functionality, and manufacturability of the PCBA(s).
Schematic of Electrical Circuits
The schematic is the control document for all things electrical. It provides a pictorial view of the components used and how they are wired together. The schematic database is used to generate the Bill of Materials (BOM) and the PCB netlist.
Bill of Materials
Frequently, materials are difficult to purchase due to long lead times. As part of our standard design practice, Arira reviews lead times ahead of designing them into a product. When second (and third and fourth) sources exist, they are added to our database and called out in the BOM to help with the purchasing process.
PCB Layout Files
The PCB layout is the final step in the creation of the physical design. The PCB stackup and any rules for the layout (including impedance controls, via sizes, design for manufacturability requirements, etc.) are entered into the tool along with the component and wiring information provided by the schematic. All of this information is used to complete the design and generate manufacturing files for the creation of the PCB and PCBA.
Additional Design Deliverables
Signal Integrity
Signal Integrity modeling and simulation can be provided to generate rules for PCB layout and ensure critical signals will function as desired in the physical product.
Power Integrity
Post-route reports of IR losses in the PCB and the frequency response of decoupling capacitors can be modeled to understand the expected performance of the power sub-system of the product.
Weekly Status Reports
Weekly status reports with updates on the design process are provided. We encourage regular communication where we can collaborate on the specifics of the designs.
Praise from Our Partners
Michael Johnson, Head of Products
Performance Software
"Arira has provided excellent engineering services for the development of hardware for an avionics product. Their highly skilled and experienced engineering resources have been invaluable in the overall support of high quality and efficient product development. Arira has proven to be very adaptable to the complex and changing requirements as well as providing invaluable support in working with other development partners. Arira delivers a great customer experience."
Justin Dollinger, Engineer
Room Inc.
"Arira Design is truly a one stop shop for everything electronic. The team has helped us with everything from circuit board design to firmware development to safety certifications of high voltage systems. The team is always quick to respond, treats us fairly, and operates gracefully when we tend to increase the scope mid-project. Overall, I would strongly recommend Arira Design to anyone looking for similar help."
Kenneth North, VP of Engineering
Elo Touch
"Elo has been using Arira Design for their schematic and layout review, as well as PCBA design services for the past 20 years. Arira offers a quick turnaround and detailed design review process. They've been able to find issues that even our internal resources have missed. Saving Elo weeks, if not months, of potential schedule impact by making these changes later. Arira's engineering review team, on numerous occasions, will get on a call to explain their findings so the same mistakes don't occur ... We would recommend Arira's services to anyone looking for schematic/layout review or design services."
Jim Reding, CEO
Aroma Retail
“Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
Excellent R&D partner. We developed a control module with mobile app from scratch, for a new aroma diffusion machine with a completely unique user interface. The entire Arira team was highly knowledgeable, reliable, transparent, and professional. While the project was completed under budget and on time, and the final product far exceeded my expectations, the most important value to me was the relationship. Arira Design, with Craig Paulsen as my main point of contact, remains an important ally as they help me navigate the current global supply disruptions. I cannot over-express my gratitude for their concern and help in making sure I do not run out after launch of the new machine. It was Craig from Arira that reached out to me to alert me to the long-lead issues that required early purchase or substitutes; otherwise, I would not have seen it coming soon enough to adjust. I consider Craig and his crew an extension of my team.”
Client in stealth mode
"Arira just handles it. I can't say that enough. I can throw things over the fence, not look into every detail and they work with me to define our product. I don't feel overburdened with every single detail up front, and they're very quick to react and make changes. We've been able to keep designs flexible and serviceable. For a growing company looking to find our product market fit I can't imagine a better experience. Craig is a pleasure to work with, is incredibly knowledgeable and handles my stupid questions very well. The supporting engineers he's brought directly to us like James or behind the scenes have always been very professional and knowledgeable."