Navigation
  • Shop
  • Dealer Locator
  • About
  • Support
  • News
  • Contact
  • Cart
Account
  • Sign In
  • Shop
  • About
  • Support
  • News
  • Dashboard
  • Cart

Set your main menu in Appearance > Menus

Search
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  •  Dealer Locator
  • Shop
  • About
  • Support
  • News
  • Dashboard
  • Cart
Search

From Page to Product

Blog / Manufacturing
Return to Previous Page
View large
Manufacturing, Tech

From Page to Product

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Rachael Redler / 0

Taking a product from concept to consumer is no easy feat. It starts with an idea, but how do you bring it to life? For FireBoard, it meant teaming up with an experienced Electrical Engineer, someone who is responsible for designing, reviewing, and implementing products.

A block diagram example.

“We had a couple meetings, and the next thing you know we had a prototype FireBoard.” says Tyler, an electrical engineer who was introduced to FireBoard founder Ted Conrad through a mutual friend. He makes it sound simple.

There are several different phases when trying to design a product. First, of course, is the idea. What do consumers need? What do they want? What will they like? “From there, I develop a plan on how to implement the design.” According to Tyler, this usually starts with a block diagram of the whole system, a sort of “how it works” flow chart that acts as a higher level, less detailed description that clarifies overall concepts rather than the details of implementation.

A FireBoard prototype board that did not make it into production.

Up next: design. This phase consists of schematic design and printed circuit board (PCB) design. The complexity of the design directly dictates how long this takes. “There is quite a bit of collaboration that occurs,” says Tyler, particularly between software and hardware. “Every device has complex software running and it is very dependent on the circuit design.”

According to Tyler, the most exciting phase is prototype. “At this stage, I get to have a physical product that I can perform testing on and ensure that it works the way I designed it.” If there are modifications to be made, then the design steps are repeated. Think of this phase as a trial run, repeated again and again until there is a prototype that works the way it is expected.

From there, a small batch of product is produced and vigorous, real-world testing is performed. This is the final step before mass production for the consumer occurs. If something comes to light during the testing, the design and prototype phases may be revisited.

There are always challenges when trying to design a new product from initial concept, especially when it comes to sensitive measurements. One big challenge with the FireBoard, as new products are developed, is keeping everything backwards compatible.  “As a designer, you want to use the latest and greatest components,” says Tyler, “But trying to incorporate legacy products makes things complicated. To overcome this, you must think differently than you did originally.” Collaboration comes into play again, giving a new perspective and making it easier to find solutions.

The process is not a straight line, nor does it have a definitive end. As Tyler says, “Innovating is an absolute must.” To make sure FireBoard is the best product available, we circle back to improve current offerings while simultaneously moving forward, developing new products to bring to consumers. “We want to make sure we have the best features and the best hardware available. ” This applies to the old as well as the new. Cue phase one: the idea. And here we go again.

was last modified: December 11th, 2020 by Rachael Redler
Share Post
Previous
Chevoo & FireBoard: An Elevated Cheese Experience
Next
The Complete Package

About Author

Rachael Redler

Rachael Redler

Related posts

More details
Tech

Meet our Neighbor Bryght Labs

July 27, 2022 at 3:08 pm by Jeff Nichols / 0

Last year, one of FireBoard’s electronics suppliers sent CEO Ted Conrad an email with an introduction to another Kansas City based hardware / technology company,…

was last modified: August 11th, 2022 by Jeff Nichols
More details
Manufacturing

How FireBoard Manufactures the Drive Blower

July 15, 2022 at 2:09 pm by Jeff Nichols / 0

The assembly floor is abuzz today at FireBoard HQ as the next batch of Drive Blower 20 CFM go into production.  This small squirrel cage…

was last modified: July 20th, 2022 by Jeff Nichols
More details
Company News, Manufacturing

FireBoard Successfully Navigating Today’s Supply Chain

April 21, 2022 at 1:20 pm by Jeff Nichols / 6 Comments

Just to recap, two years ago, in the second quarter of 2020, lockdown had consumers not only upgrading computers for the home office, but also…

was last modified: April 21st, 2022 by Jeff Nichols
More details
Manufacturing

Assembled in Style in Kansas City

March 30, 2022 at 3:05 pm by Jeff Nichols / 2 Comments

Ever wonder how your FireBoard was made?  You may be surprised to learn that FireBoard assembles their smart thermometers at their headquarters in Kansas City,…

was last modified: April 11th, 2022 by Jeff Nichols
More details
Meet the Team, Process, Tech

Power of Purchasing

April 9, 2021 at 11:13 am by Andrew Sapad / 0

There are almost 200 parts and components in just a single FireBoard thermometer. Along with our other products, we are dealing with hundreds of thousands…

was last modified: April 9th, 2021 by Andrew Sapad

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Recent Posts

  • FireBoard at 2022 Scheels’ Academy
  • FireBoard HQ update: Windows, Floors, Walls and a Video!
  • Meet our Neighbor Bryght Labs
  • How FireBoard Manufactures the Drive Blower
  • FireBoard’s New Tool Answers the Question: “When will dinner be ready?”

Categories

  • Commercial
  • Company News
  • Manufacturing
  • Meet the Team
  • Process
  • Science
  • Smoking & Grilling World
  • Support
  • Tech
  • Tradeshows
  • Using your FireBoard

3305 Terrace St, Suite 100
Kansas City, MO 64111

info@fireboard.com
(816) 945-2232

Links


Dealers
Knowledge Base
home
shop
support
about
contact
Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa Skill
Shipping Info
Refunds & Returns
Privacy Policy

Newsletter Signup


Sign up for our Newsletter to get the latest FireBoard news, tips & updates!

Sign up

© 2022 FireBoard Labs

Search engine

Use this form to find things you need on this site