Background
MES S.p.A. has unsurpassed experience in mechanics, electronics, optronics, and servomechanisms. Through acquiring new technologies and developing innovative projects, the company has established itself as the foremost supplier of high-quality, complex components and assemblies.
In the high-stakes world of manufacturing naval, land, and avionic devices, the margin for error is virtually non-existent. In this case study, Emanuele Pace, a mechanical engineer in MES S.p.A’s Quality Department, describes overcoming a significant challenge that showcased the company’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.
Casebook Situation
MES S.p.A. faces several challenges while serving its demanding customers in the military and aviation sectors:
1. Regulatory Compliance: Strict regulatory environments in military and aviation industries demand constant updates and adherence to safety standards and regulations.
2. Technological Advancements: Rapid technological changes require continuous research and development to remain competitive and meet evolving industry needs.
3. Quality Assurance: High-quality standards are crucial, particularly when dealing with complex, interdisciplinary projects requiring precision and reliability.
4. Supply Chain Management: Given the specialized nature of military and aviation products, ensuring a reliable supply chain for materials and components is essential.
5. Security Concerns: Working with military applications involves stringent security protocols to protect sensitive information and technologies.
6. Cost and Time Constraints: Despite their projects’ high complexity and stringent requirements, MES S.p.A. engineers often work under tight budgetary and time constraints. They must find ways to optimize their designs to reduce costs without compromising on quality or performance while adhering to strict project timelines.
7. Multidisciplinary Collaboration: The design of high-tech devices for industries MES S.p.A. serves often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving experts in mechanics, electronics, software, and materials science. Navigating the challenges of cross-disciplinary collaboration and communication can be difficult, especially in large or geographically dispersed teams.
Suppliers must be up to the challenge as well. Mr. Pace spearheaded the initiative to overcome obstacles posed by inadequate test targets that reflected light, impairing camera functionality during internal testing. MES S.p.A. needed an innovative approach to enhancing the precision of optical equipment tests using NIST traceable targets. The team needed test targets to accurately calibrate instruments and support the stringent quality control processes customers demanded for their naval, land, and avionic devices.
About MES S.p.A.
MES S.p.A. is recognized worldwide for designing, producing, and selling land and naval ammunition, electronic proximity fuses, dispensing systems for air and naval countermeasures, day and night visors for armored vehicles, mechanical processing precision, and maintenance.
With unparalleled quality supported by over 60 years of experience in mechanics, electronics, optronics, and servomechanisms, our company has successfully met some of the most challenging design requirements, including for homeland security.
Resolution
MES S.p.A.’s mission to find a solution led them to Applied Image, Inc., renowned for its custom test targets.
Pace and his team found exactly what they were looking for in Applied Image’s unsurpassed precision manufacturing capabilities. MES S.p.A. procured custom opaque Test Targets, essential for achieving their unique testing requirements.
These targets allowed MES S.p.A. to conduct tests that met procedural standards, ultimately enabling the equipment to distinguish between horizontal and vertical lines under various brightness levels in a dark room. This adjustment was critical not only for the company’s internal quality standards but also for meeting and exceeding the technical expectations of their customers.
Results
There is no margin for error in the optical equipment that MES S.p.A. supplies to its demanding customers.
Beyond regulatory compliance, the ability to perform accurate internal testing is crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage in industries where reliability and equipment performance can have significant implications. The custom test targets enabled the team to achieve project goals to the satisfaction of their end users. MES S.p.A. overcame an immediate testing challenge and set a new standard for precision in the company’s quality assurance processes.
The collaboration with Applied Image was seamless due to their technical capabilities and customer-centric approach. The result was not just a set of functional test targets but a testament to MES S.p.A.’s relentless pursuit of quality and innovation. It also showcased the power of collaboration and innovation in overcoming industry challenges.
Would you Recommend Applied Image Products and Services to Others?
Partnering with a provider who can deliver customized solutions tailored to your specific needs is essential. This case study underscores the significance of collaboration in advancing technological capabilities and achieving success for manufacturers and their end users.
“Applied Image services allow us to exceed the technical parameters of the devices we create to our satisfaction and that of the end customer. Working with Applied Image was easy thanks to their availability and technical preparation. I would recommend Applied Image to other professionals.” – Emanuele Pace
Applied Image’s unique manufacturing processes and industry expertise allow us to create custom components and standards that meet the specific needs of our customers.