From the prototype development to the series production

From the prototype development to the series production, development costs, and processes: Which procedure is used, is dependent on the quantity of items. The cost for custom developments is dependent on the quantity of items to be produced! So it is not astonishing that it determines which development procedure will be applied. For prototypes or a small number of controls - e.g. less than 5 pieces - it is usually not profitably to develop new hardware. In such a case, to keep development costs low, QUANCOM falls back on existing modules. With one unit, controls can already be implemented for under 2.000,- EUR. If a larger quantity of items - to approx. 30 - are to be produced, it is usually more economical to use an existing CPU card as the controlling heart. The advantage: only the customized hardware must be developed. In cases, in which more than 50 controls or circuits are needed, the complete development of all constituents is recommended.

From the prototype to 5 units

Software development for existing modules. With this development alternative we fall back on existing modules. The hardware does not need to be developed anew. Development costs are very low, the price per unit of the devices, however, are more expensive. By means of this small series, it can be tested if such a control system can be utilized at all. If that is the case, these controls find their application, for example, in customized heater controls or even in the test of a KFZ regulation with 12 V of power supply.

From 6 to 50 units

Development of customer peripheral devices. As the "heart" of the entire control an existing CPU card is used. QUANCOM develops an extension slot card with the appertaining peripheral device. Since only the peripheral device, and not the whole CPU card including the peripheral device, needs to be developed, development costs stay comparatively low. However, the use of two circuit boards causes higher unit prices. This development alternative is suitable when the quantity of units range from approx. 6 to 50 controls. By means of a control and regulation for dry-cleaning, the temperature and gas concentration get monitored. Further on, they control the respective valves.

More than 50 units...

If more than 50 units are needed, QUANCOM will develop a new customized control from " A to Z ", according to customer specifications. Using this methodology, the cost for the circuit boards remains low, since the standard price of the circuit board is notedly low. The developing costs are, in comparison, relatively high. This development alternative is suitable when more than 50 controls are needed. A complex example would be a special-counter-card for universal counter/comparators and interrupt tasks.