Abstract: A technique for managing cost reduction projects which reduces costs of an assembled product is described. The assembled product includes a plurality of subcomponents. The technique includes determining a best of the best (BOB) assembled product containing least cost subcomponents and ensuring that the total cost of the BOB assembled product is less than or equal to a market based target cost of the assembled product. The market based target cost is a cost at a point in time in the future which takes into account a profit margin of the assembled product. The technique also includes receiving forecast data for the plurality of subcomponents composing the assembled product and calculating cost savings for each of the least cost components introduced into the assembled product utilizing the forecast data. Each least cost component introduced into the assembled product defines a cost reduction project.

Abstract: Techniques for determining cost targets for cost reduction projects which reduce costs of an assembled product are described. The assembled product includes a plurality of subcomponents for which cost reduction projects may be pursued. The technique includes receiving first cost data for subcomponents of a business enterprise's assembled product and receiving second cost data for subcomponents of one or more competitive assembled products. The least cost subcomponents between first and second cost data are then selected to compose a best of the best assembled product. The selected least cost subcomponents are the cost targets for their respective cost reduction projects.

Abstract: Determining a particular product mix of old and new products to either minimize stranded inventory of old unique sub-components composing the old product or to minimize cost savings by phasing out the old unique sub-components of the old product is described. When a new product costs the same or more than the old product, a product mix which minimizes stranded inventory is determined. To this end, a liability on inventory of old unique sub-components at a number of build out quantities including the total number of product units to produce is determined. Additionally, a number of old products to produce is selected to correspond to a point where the liability on inventory of old unique sub-components is constant between consecutive build out quantities in order to reduce stranded inventory. When a new product costs less than the old product, a product mix which maximizes cost savings is determined.

Abstract: Determining how to prioritize cost reduction projects for replacing subcomponents composing an assembled product with new subcomponents is described. To this end, forecast sales data for subcomponents composing the assembled product is received. Utilizing the forecast sales data, a cost savings schedule for subcomponents of costs saved by introducing the new subcomponents is then determined. The total cost savings for each cost reduction project is then calculated. The cost reduction projects are then ordered according to their respective total cost savings to determine which cost reduction projects should be pursued.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a business case for selecting a least cost technology are described. To this end, forecast sales data of one or more configurations of an assembled product is received. Usage factors of a plurality of subcomponents composing the assembled product are also received. A usage factor may suitably correspond to a combination of subcomponents to meet a configuration of the assembled product for one of the plurality of technologies. Cost data for subcomponents composing the plurality of technologies is also received. A technology cost for each of the plurality of technologies according to the forecast sales data of one or more configurations of the assembled product is calculated to define the business case for selecting the least cost technology.

Abstract: Techniques for determining how to translate forecast sales data of at least one configuration of assembled product into a forecast schedule of subcomponents composing the assembled product is described. To this end, forecast sales data of at least one configuration of assembled product is received. Usage factors of a plurality of subcomponents composing the assembled product are also received. Each usage factor corresponds to the at least one configuration of assembled product. The forecast schedule of subcomponents composing the assembled product is then composed by applying the usage factors of the plurality of subcomponents to the forecast sales data of at least one configuration of assembled product wherein the forecast schedule includes demand for the subcomponents over time.

Abstract: A protective enclosure includes one or more walls for surrounding an electronic device. At least one of the walls includes energy absorbing protrusions for absorbing the energies, etc., created when, and if, the electronic device unfortunately explodes due to a lightning strike.

Abstract: An alignment mechanism for establishing line-of-sight alignment between a transmitter (100) and a receiver (102) has, a laser pointer (300) that emanates a laser beam along a line-of-sight to illuminate the receiver (102) with a bright spot. An unmodulated reflector (304) at the receiver (102) reflects the emanated laser beam for return path transmission toward the laser pointer (300) to confirm alignment of the line-of-sight with the receiver (102). The transmitter (100) is aligned substantially along the line-of-sight and is fixed in position. A shutter in the form of a chopping wheel (400) modulates the emanated laser beam. The receiver (102) is linked to a communications apparatus (500) having an external antenna (502).

Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding structure has conductive parts for blocking propagation of electromagnetic interference, whereof at least one has an appendage or an edge configuration that is shaped so as to bite into the edge of the other of the conductive parts, such as along a narrowing groove. The appendage or edge can have a structure resembling an insulation displacement connector, but is arranged to engage the edge of a sheet-like or planar shielding element, as opposed to biting into an insulated wire. The connection achieves both electrical and mechanical connection between the parts, preferably thereby completing at least part of a shielding enclosure.

Abstract: A connector assembly including at least one connector coupled to a connector housing and, at least one trough disposed on two opposing sides of the housing, such that a wire coupled to the at least one connector passes through both troughs. The troughs operate to reduce the strain on the wire by shifting forces on the wire away from a wire wrap section where the wire is coupled to the at least one connector.

Abstract: A cable guide and trough device for preventing the over-bending of cables, fibers, and/or wires generally comprises a plurality of links each having a base and a pair of opposing sidewalls defining a passageway for guiding the cables. The links are connected at pivots located at the ends of the links to permit rotation of the links about an axis perpendicular to the base. This rotation is limited by the abutment of the respective sidewalls of adjacently connected links. Preferably, the sidewalls are bowed into the passageway so that a substantially smooth inner curve is achieved when the device is fully flexed.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, rather than embedding them collectively in potting compound, wire to pin connections on a connector block are separately coated with protective gel for resisting corrosion. The coating can be effected with high volume gel dispensing equipment in shop environments and by manual gel dispensing in the field, providing significant advantages rework and repair in the field.