There is
no one off the shelf single-board computer that perfectly fits all
applications. You may want a little more of something, and don’t
want to pay for some extras. We can, when sufficient quantities are
involved, modify or design and manufacture a single-board computer to suit your needs.
When is it worthwhile to customize a single-board
computer? There are two kinds of
customization: 1) Remove/not install unused components on a standard
product. Other possibilities include changing resistor values. 2)
Design a single-board computer based on an existing model.
The first option may save some cost. If a part is surface
mounted, you would have to order a production quantity (minimum of
50) boards to even start considering a change. On the other hand, if
a part is socketed, minimum quantity is 10. Removing parts does not
always save as much as you might expect, and it will depend upon the
part itself. There is special handling for the part and we have to
develop new test procedures and programs to account for the missing
parts.
Custom designing a single-board computer usually saves more
than you might expect. You will get exactly what you need in form,
fit, and function. A custom single-board computer makes sense if you expect
quantities to exceed 200 units and you can take delivery of 50 at a
time.
What follows is a generalization of the design process and costs.
Your design and internal requirements could change the outline below
significantly. The broad idea is we have a single-board computer that roughly meets
your requirements.
The first step is decide if it makes sense to design a custom
single-board computer. To do that, we take into account the changes that need to be
made to an existing design. From that information we give you a
quote for a design that includes 2 prototypes and the production
price in the quantities you anticipate . Prices will be based on
Remote Processing making the single-board computers (that is, after all, how we make
our income). Remote Processing retains all intellectual property and
manufacturing rights. We can begin the design process before any
pre-payments or purchase orders are received by us. However, we do
not order parts or PCB’s or deliver prototypes until we get a
pre-payment.
When you have paid for 200-500 single-board
computers (quantity depends upon
delivery, complexity, and cost), your engineering fee may be
paid off.
Production runs for single-board computers with surface mount components
must be in minimum lots of 50. Quantities less than that can be
done, but costs go up due to surface mount setup fees. Small lots of
5 or even 10 can also be supplied, but they will be assembled by
hand.
FAQ’s
Part obsolescence.
Neither you or I can control when a
manufacturer will stop making a part. During the design discussion
phase we will try to discern which parts, if any, are subject to
obsolescence for your production time frame. Generally, obsolete
parts are available on the secondary markets, at an increased price.
We have been supplying controllers with parts that have not been
made in over 10 years!
Price increases/changes
The price we quote you for production single-board
computers will remain firm
unless there is a substantial price change. Of course prices may
change due to general economic conditions (inflation, war, etc.)
How long does it take to do a design?
The actual design process is usually less than a month. However,
the product definition phase usually takes about a month. Exact time
usually depends upon how well a proposed product is defined and how
all of the pieces of a design fit together. If there is any research
that needs to be done (i.e. verify capabilities of a component) this
will extend the design time frame. Generally, it takes 3 months
before a prototype is delivered. However, we have delivered simple
designs in 3 weeks.
Product delivery assurance
Remote Processing has been in business for over 18 years.
However, people ask "what if you guys go out of business?" What we
can do is supply all the documentation necessary to build it
yourself to an escrow or trust lawyer. This includes PCB Gerber
files, purchase parts specifications, assembly and test
documentation, applicable software, and any other necessary
documentation for your assembly. This person would hold the
documentation. Should Remote Processing be unable to supply the
assembly due to us going out of business (not because of lead time
or part shortages), the lawyer would then transfer the documentation
and manufacturing rights to your company. Depending upon the
product, you may have to pay royalties to a 3rd party.
Above is a thumbnail overview of a custom designed
single-board computer. Please
call us at 303-690-1588 to discuss it further.
