Early Supplier Involvement

This early supplier involvement case study shows how AbelConn, a Celestica company, worked directly with a long-term customer on a manufacturing process associated with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The project focused on refreshing an integrated circuit card set and required real-time Design for Manufacturability feedback, prototype development, and close coordination throughout an evolving design schedule.

AbelConn’s engineering and program teams reviewed the design for manufacturability, helped reduce risk from obsolete and long-lead-time components, supported the First Article Inspection Report process, and provided guidance on electronic component selection, solder alloy, and BGA solder connections. A Field Applications Engineer also participated in weekly customer calls and coordinated support between both organizations.

Through early supplier involvement, the customer successfully redesigned and tested the circuit cards, integrated the required electronic features, and moved the program closer to deployment while gaining a reliable partner for continued prototyping and redesign.