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Top Ten Reasons to Buy
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Ten Reasons Why
Not to Build Your Own
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| 1. Scalable – You can simply add or remove channels & cost on a per channel basis. |
1. Fixed – The number of channels are created at design time and that number is not adjustable. |
| 2. Flexible – You can change functions on a per channel basis; ie. add thermocouples or
RTDs to a voltage input system
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2. Fixed – You get what you get! Functions
are designed in as a step in the design
process and not changeable. |
| 3. Serviceable – You get the shortest MTTR (mean-time-to-repair) since I/O is replaceable
on a per channel basis |
3. Difficult – Troubleshooting can be very
difficult! To trace and repair problems can
take a lot of time and eat up a lot of cost. |
| 4. Easy to apply – Instrument like I/O impedances interface to broadest types of
electronic components and systems |
4. System Interaction is where many analog
circuits fail due to mismatched impedances,
bandwidths and grounds.
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5. Vendor Item – Complete Subassembly that is designed from input to output for:
- Input Protection (wiring errors
& transients)
- Input to output and power
supply Isolation
- Signal filtering (Up to 6 poles
of filters)
- High Accuracy and Linearity
- To amplify or attenuate the signal
- Very Low output noise
- Linearization done in hardware
- Excitation voltage is also isolated
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5. Analog Design Expertise is Rare Today: It
is very difficult to find a knowledgeable
analog engineer and just as difficult to pass
expertise on from engineer to engineer.
Signal conditioners require multi-faceted
analog design capabilities – see eight
specialty disciplines listed in table on the
left. You must consider all facets to create a
solid design. |
| 6. Agency Certifications – CSA, FM, CE and other certifications are part of each
subassembly (part number)
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6. Agencies will need to be revisited for
certification on any product upgrades and
submitted for all new OEM products |
| 7. Test Reports – Dataforth ships test reports (serialized) with each signal conditioner
- accuracy traceable to NIST |
7. Testing Expense – You will need to add
the cost of test equipment and technician
time to your own product cost |
| 8. Lowest Lifetime Costs, Controllable – We buy for high-volume production. Also, as
with any vendor item, you have simple part
numbers, quantities, and costs to negotiate on
fixed period of time contract
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8. Engineering Change Orders take on a life
of their own! You have hidden costs
associated with each circuit board revision,
documentation controls, raw material costs
and other MRP overhead costs. |
| 9. We Carry the Inventory – Dataforth keeps thousands of modules on the shelf to
support your customers emergency needs and
field service personnel |
9. Customer Support and Field Service
require investment in renewal parts
inventory – increases costs in raw materials
and work-in-process as well. |
| 10. Simple Up-Grade Path – Simply drop-in design improvements; maybe assign a dash 1 or dash B part number. |
10. Complex Up-Grade Path – You will have to revisit Items 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 above!
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