Educational Blog

Eight Secrets to Providing Superior Engineered Solutions

Written by RMB Products | Nov 26, 2024 10:21:28 PM

Humanity's timeless quest to uncover life's hidden truths has inspired many a tabloid headline hawking "beauty secrets revealed" or "failsafe investment strategies." Often, the secret seems rather mundane as it boils down to putting in the work to cover the basics. Similarly, the secret to providing superior engineered solutions begins with a foundation of hard work, paired with a depth of industry expertise.

The team at RMB Products has put in the work to build a foundation for success by supplying rotationally molded or laser-sintered parts and components that meet stringent industry standards and provide superior performance. The team has built its expertise in materials science, particularly polymers, and how to transform these materials using advanced technologies like rotational molding and laser sintering. This blend yields possibilities and potential that only this rare combination can provide. Turn ordinary into extraordinary with RMB’s eight secrets to providing superior engineered solutions.

Secret No. 1: The power of end-to-end oversight

Meticulously crafted procedures govern every operational phase at RMB in a “cradle to grave” approach. Superior service in engineered projects hinges on these procedures being developed and followed through in each phase. This end-to-end oversight supplies consistent quality, efficiency, and ultimately, customer satisfaction. In specialized sectors like aerospace, this principle extends further, requiring a robust infrastructure that meets industry-specific mandates, such as stringent cybersecurity protocols to safeguard sensitive data. Therefore, while the secret to engineering excellence finds its roots in diligence, it comes to fruition through a holistic, process-driven framework.

This covers every step from the initial customer contact through:

  • Project quotation
  • Purchase order
  • Engineering consultation
  • New product development
  • Initial and full-scale production
  • Final inspection

RMB has mastered this delicate balance, offering superior engineered solutions across various sectors.

Secret No. 2: Building a robust quality management system

At the heart of RMB's success is its robust infrastructure, particularly its mature quality management system. These ISO 9001 and AS9100 systems have been in place for more than 20 years and is verified by a third-party registrar through annual audits. These week-long reviews scrutinize every aspect of the business, representing a major investment in time, money, resources, and personnel.

In the aerospace industry, the infrastructure requirements for suppliers and contractors continually grow. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) conduct in-depth audits of suppliers, with extensive documentation accompanying personal inspections. This raises the bar and heightens the barrier to entry. RMB also employs advanced tools like Qualtrax, an electronic quality and compliance software, to manage documentation, schedule training, and track processes, ensuring everyone is up-to-date and compliant.

Understanding that each person within the organization is a customer to another, RMB ensures a "clean package" is passed along. As part of this commitment, RMB continually works to maintain the highest levels of security and cybersecurity for customer projects, with staff currently pursuing a Level 2 Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

Secret No. 3: Leveraging cross-industry expertise

RMB's team boasts a wealth of knowledge across various sectors, including aerospace, chemical, oil and gas, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical. This diversity allows them to understand the unique requirements of each industry.

RMB’s work with model-based definition (MBD) exemplifies this expertise. Engineers at RMB understand how to handle and interpret the multiple translations that each MBD dataset can have, ensuring they deliver clean, authoritative data sets. This skill, honed from years of working with various CAD systems, guarantees the delivery of quality, conforming products every time.

Secret No. 4: Controlling every aspect of production

RMB's vertical integration sets it apart from competitors, offering a level of control that’s virtually unmatched in the industry. In rotational molding, RMB engineers handle every stage in-house: formulating compounds, grinding polymers, making molds, and designing trim fixtures. This end-to-end capability extends to the company’s 3D printing operations, where engineers are developing several new materials.

By controlling every aspect of production, RMB can significantly shorten delivery times and maintain superior quality control. This vertical integration not only makes the company more nimble and more reliable but also allows for rapid iteration and customization. If a customer requires a different polymer or a modification to the project design, RMB can make changes quickly without relying on external suppliers. This agility is particularly valuable in industries like aerospace and health care, where specifications can be exacting and subject to change as designs evolve.

Moreover, RMB's vertical integration enables them to innovate more freely. By having all aspects of production under one roof, from material formulation to final product finishing, the company can experiment with new techniques and materials without the constraints imposed by external suppliers. This setup has allowed them to pioneer advancements in both rotational molding and 3D printing, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with polymer-based solutions.

Secret No. 5: Perfecting new product development

RMB's new product development team is another key to its success. When a new product arrives, it goes through a shake-out process to work out all nuances. The team uses production equipment with engineer-driven oversight and direction, ensuring a production-ready process before handing it over to operations.

This approach was instrumental in helping a domestic helicopter OEM redesign its entire environmental control system ducting system. RMB converted it from composite to rotational molding, saving over a million dollars a year and reducing weight by three pounds — a significant achievement in aircraft design where every ounce shaved off aircraft or component weight can impact:

  • Fuel efficiency
  • Range and payload
  • Structural benefits
  • Aerodynamics
  • Performance and handling

Making a part lighter isn’t the only goal in component design. Aircraft components and parts are made of many types of materials. Any alterations to components must first take into consideration safety, durability, performance, and cost.

Secret No. 6: Prioritizing customer relationships and service

When timelines are tight, RMB can supply a nimble and flexible response. This agility isn't just about quick turnaround times — it's about understanding each customer's unique needs and pain points. A prime example of this is when a defense customer had an aircraft-on-ground situation, a critical emergency where every minute counts. Many companies would have simply used a standard overnight shipping service, but RMB understood the gravity of the situation. The company went above and beyond, having an employee purchase a plane ticket that same day, fly to the customer's location with the part in hand, never letting it out of sight, and hand-delivering it.

This level of commitment reflects RMB's customer-centric approach. It's not just about meeting deadlines; it's about recognizing when a situation demands extraordinary measures. RMB’s robust infrastructure supports this nimbleness. Tools like Qualtrax help track performance metrics, ensuring its ability to meet tight deadlines consistently. It's a synergy of advanced technology and human dedication that allows RMB to be both fast and precise.

Secret No. 7: Tailoring solutions to diverse industries

RMB's success spans diverse industries, from aerospace to health care. The common thread is a deep understanding of polymers. Whether it's a freestanding molded part for aerospace or a lined pipe for chemical or oil and gas, everything RMB does is polymer-based.

However, understanding each industry's unique challenges is crucial. In aerospace, it might be cost or weight. In the chemical world, it could be the life span of equipment. For the helicopter project, it was breakage. The customer had a product in the cockpit that was breaking repeatedly during installation due to its brittle composite material. Once RMB understood this pain point, the solution became clear, showcasing its ability to tailor solutions to specific market needs.

Secret No. 8: A pervasive culture of excellence

RMB's success isn't just about technology or processes — it's about culture. The company invests in its staff, collaborates with industry leaders, and always works to understand its customers' needs. RMB’s philosophy is simple: If a customer has costs under control and an inventory of long-lasting products, then there's no market for RMB’s solutions. Instead, RMB focuses on finding the best way to make a customer's life better.

RMB supplies its customers with superior engineered parts using time-honored business “secrets” that are proven through decades of application.

Contact RMB to learn how the power of hard work, hard-earned expertise, and a relentless commitment to quality and excellence will increase your company’s success.


About the Author: Chris Glock

Chris Glock is vice president of program management at RMB Products. He began his career with RMB in 1991 and has held a variety of manufacturing and commercial roles within the company. His current responsibilities are program and project management. Glock has deep expertise in engineering product applications, quality requirements, and program management.