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Basic FAQ

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Basic FAQ Basic FAQ Contract Engineering / Product Development FAQ Contract Engineering / Product Development FAQ Contract Manufacturing Services FAQ Contract Manufacturing Services FAQ Material Fabrication FAQ Material Fabrication FAQ

This is an approach to product development that takes the development out of a designer or programmer silo. It is a way of developing a product from the start to make it easier and more cost-effective to manufacture. The product design team includes manufacturing experts who consider manufacturing processes, materials, and assembly methods during the design phase in order to minimize production costs, improve quality, and shorten time to market.

There is no typical timeline. Timeline varies greatly depending on the complexity of the product, but it can range from a few months to several years. The risks and trade-offs of the development timeline is the great discussion of the Requirements Definition phase.

Development projects always need to balance design requirements with budget constraints. Technology decisions, including major component selections, are rife with risks that must be mitigated. These risks can impact the development process, timeliness and product cost and performance. The integration of hardware and software is needed to ensure seamless interaction between the physical product and its embedded software.

Prototyping is crucial for validating the design’s form, fit, and function. Testing the product's performance before the development is completed helps get ahead of any potential design issues before initiating pilot run and mass production. Prototypes can often be used for preliminary testing and qualifications for safety and regulatory compliance. In many cases, prototypes are used to demonstrate the product to customers.

The front end of any development is the most important to reduce development risks. Patton begins with a thorough, multi-step process of Concept Development and Requirements Definition around a Preliminary Design Concept (loaded with block diagrams, technology decisions, and so forth.) From there, the basic milestones are Project Plan, Specification Review, Design, Pilot, Validation and Release. Watch our Video of our Product Development Process.

Patton adheres to the standards, regulations, guidelines, and specifications governing each product we develop. Planning, know-how, risk mitigations and quality control are key elements of bringing compliant products to market.

Patton tests components, subassemblies and products throughout the product development process. We want to discover problems early and apply a systematic approach to ensure the product meets its stated requirements.

Patton has worked with all kinds of OEMs in Electronics, Aerospace, Medical Devices, Industrial Equipment, Machinery, Vehicles, Security, Surveillance, Emergency Response and Media Broadcast/Pro AV. We work extensively with Defense & Aerospace Contractors (such as Northrop, Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris, Raytheon, General Dynamics etc.), DOD, IC and other Government Agencies, Energy, Water, Utilities, Transportation, Big Tech (Amazon, Google, Oracle etc.), and Telecom Services Providers. We often partner with other Contract Engineering and Product Development firms seeking CM partners and other CMs seeking Product Development partners. We have some references and client testimonials on our website.

Patton started in 1984 as an OEM designing, developing and manufacturing our own products as a vertically integrated organization. We gained a ton of experience over 40+ years accumulating dozens of technology specializations. Our expertise includes Electronics & Low-Voltage Electrical Design, Cyber Security, Datacom, Telecom, Networking, Multi-Media (Data, Video, Audio, Signals), Fiber/Copper/Wireless/RF transport, C4ISR, TEMPEST, Sensors, Diagnostics, Detection Systems, Machine-to-Machine, IoT, Monitoring & Automation, Power Supply & Charging Systems, Wearables, Weapons Sub-Systems, Vision Systems, Lighting & Lighting Controls, Avionics , AVs, UAVs, Drones, and Robotics.

Yes. Patton normally starts with prototype quantities and small pilot runs before performing low-rate initial production (LRIP) and volume manufacturing. If Patton is taking over a mature, well documented product, we can move to volume production quickly.

Patton is set up for full-service contract manufacturing, but we can build from a kit.

Yes. Patton has flexibility, vertical integration, and unique expertise to manufacture certain types of devices. We bring extensive experience in medical device design and production, ensuring high-quality products that meet stringent industry standards.

Patton works with all kinds of OEMs (Technology, Electronics, Aerospace, Healthcare, Industrial Equipment, Machinery & Vehicle, Broadcast and Pro AV), Defense Agencies and Contractors, Critical Infrastructure (Energy, Water, Utilities, Transportation), Telecom Services Providers, Media & Broadcasting Companies and well-funded B2B Start-Ups.

Patton offers standalone or integrated contract production services including precision material fabrication, mechanical assembly, wire/cable harness manufacturing, PCB assembly (SMT and Thru hole), electro-mechanical assembly, box builds, final assembly, production test as well as system level manufacturing of turnkey systems.

Yes, Patton offers laser cutting services suitable for a wide range of applications. Laser cutting is performed on metal sheets, plates, or tubes delivering clean cuts with high accuracy and minimal distortion.

Yes. Patton gives our customers offers the latest in precision laser cutting and bending. The use of a fiber laser allows Patton to hold the tightest tolerances of up to +/- .001" on flat pattern features and the use of custom hard tooling on our brake allows us hold +/-.002 on bends.

Yes. Patton can stamp metals shaping flat metal sheets using a cold-forming process, that uses presses and dies to cut, bend, and shape the metal. This allows us to stamp a wide variety of parts at high volumes with precision and repeatability.

Yes. Patton is proficient in both SolidWorks and Fusion 360. This allows us to accept any type of solid model file and manufacture the part directly from that model. We can also work from paper drawings.

Yes. To hold our customers’ tightest tolerances, we keep our shop temperature-controlled year-round.

Yes. We do not have plastic injection molding machines in-house, but we have at least a dozen contracted injection molding partners. Patton designs and fabricates all kinds of molds from single cavity, low-volume plastic molds, to complex, multi-cavity, high-volume steel molds.

Yes. Tool-offset refers to the allowance made by a milling machine to account for variations in tool size and shift its position. It ensures the CNC machine is operating on the right part of the workpiece. These adjustments ensure accurate and consistent machining.

Yes. A punch press is a CNC-controlled machine used to cut holes in material by applying pressure to a die in which a workpiece is held.

No. Patton can perform CNC milling on metal, plastic, or ceramics using rotating cutting tools with 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis processes for high-precision machining at high speeds. Patton also offers various types of 3D printing, material molding including injection molding and over-molding.

CNC means Computer Numerical Control. CNC milling and turning are subtractive manufacturing processes where CNC controlled cutting tools remove material from a workpiece to create a desired shape. The difference between milling and turning is that in milling, the workpiece remains stationary, while the workpiece rotates in turning operations. CNC milling and turning can be used to create any shape, no matter how complex the geometries.

Patton presents comprehensive proposals that outline a clear "roadmap" to success, aiming not just for a production-ready product, but one in which the customer can achieve sales and revenue. We emphasize that all recommended project components are crucial for reaching the desired outcome. Based on extensive experience, we advise customers that deviating from this roadmap, even for what seems like a smaller initial slice, will likely lead to greater costs and delays later, reemphasizing our proven ability to take an idea from concept to a sellable product.

Patton presents comprehensive proposals that outline a clear "roadmap" to success, aiming not just for a production-ready product, but one in which the customer can achieve sales and revenue. We emphasize that all recommended project components are crucial for reaching the desired outcome. Based on extensive experience, we advise customers that deviating from this roadmap, even for what seems like a smaller initial slice, will likely lead to greater costs and delays later, reemphasizing our proven ability to take an idea from concept to a sellable product.

Patton excels at requirements discovery, particularly with clients who may not routinely engage in contract manufacturing and are unsure of what to ask for. During Q&A sessions, we actively work to define and "demarcate" project requirements, translating vague ideas into concrete, quotable specifications. This collaborative approach ensures that both parties clearly understand the project scope, preventing misunderstandings and ensuring that the final product aligns with the customer's true needs and desires.

Patton incorporates customer education as a key part of its sales process. This involves clarifying the line between the customer's design responsibility and Patton's role and explaining our comprehensive contract manufacturing process. We listen to customers’ needs, ask pertinent questions, and address potential blind spots or areas where customers may not know what to ask. We also educate on concepts like "design for manufacturability," helping customers understand cost implications and alternative solutions.

Patton's sales team is composed of knowledgeable, technology savvy people who are backed by a vast network of in-house technical counterparts. This allows us to engage deeply with customers from the very first interaction, providing immediate answers to technical questions without needing to "get back to you." Our extensive experience means we've often encountered similar challenges before, enabling us to understand a customer's needs and provide a high level of comfort and trust from the outset.

Patton seeks to establish genuine, long-term partnerships, viewing customers as "family." We are not interested in one-off, small jobs, but rather in building relationships that evolve over time, recognizing that a customer with a small initial need may have many more projects in the future. This commitment is reflected in customer experience, which emphasizes open communication, proactive issue resolution, and dedicated teams to ensure customer satisfaction.

Patton operates with the mindset of a "product company," meaning we understand the "why" behind design and manufacturing decisions. Patton started off as, and is today, an OEM in its own right. Patton Contract Services applies the same principles. This deep understanding allows us to not just follow instructions but also to identify and resolve gaps or issues that other design or manufacturing shops might miss. We can "rescue" projects that are "almost done" but face difficulties, ensuring they cross the finish line successfully.

Unlike many contract manufacturers that specialize in only one area (e.g., machining, PCB assembly, wire harness manufacturing), Patton can handle projects that include electrical and mechanical design, PCB board production, and various manufacturing processes, eliminating the need for clients to work with multiple specialized firms.

Patton offers a comprehensive set of services that span design, engineering, and manufacturing including all aspects of each. Any of these services are available independently or in any combination. If you just want a PCB assembled or a piece of metal milled or turned, we can do it. We can manufacture parts and sub-assemblies or manufacture the entire product or system.

Yes. Not only is Patton ISO certified we are also ITAR registered, ROHS compliant, REACH compliant, GIDEP registered and Prop 65 compliant.

Patton is a US company with its headquarters just outside of Washington DC and has been manufacturing products in the USA and in Maryland since 1984. The company operates a State-of-the-Art Technology Development and Manufacturing Center in Gaithersburg Maryland, that performs fully integrated design, engineering, and manufacturing. Patton has engineering resources all over the USA and in Europe.

Patton started in 1984 as “Patton Electronics Company” and has participated in nearly every technology and technology trend since the early days of computers and communications.

Starting a project with Patton is easy. Just reach out to us to schedule an initial, complimentary consultation where we can discuss your project and our process in detail.
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Why Choose Patton?

  • 01

    State-of-the-Art Facilities

    Maryland-based, ISO 9001-certified facility is equipped with advanced SMT manufacturing lines, ensuring precision and efficiency in every project.

  • 02

    ITAR Registered

    Patton can manufacture and handle defense-related articles, services, and technical data.

  • 03

    Comprehensive Services

    From hardware and software design to rapid prototyping and final assembly, Patton can provide a seamless, turnkey solution for your product development and manufacturing needs.

  • 04

    Proven Expertise

    Boasting a US-manufacturing legacy since 1984, Patton has successfully collaborated with industries such as communications, robotics, aerospace, healthcare, defense, power, and security.

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