Electronics Company Finds Filters for a Complete Supply Chain Solution

When an innovative electronics company needed a complete supply chain solution, Duraflow Industries delivered. The electronics company, a designer of smart communications infrastructure, was working with a filter manufacturer who couldn’t meet tight timetables. That’s when a web search found Duraflow Industries, a provider of quality filters at competitive pricing on accelerated lead times.

Duraflow didn’t just meet demanding delivery dates, however. At its headquarters near Cleveland, Ohio, the filter supplier provided design assistance, material sourcing, value-added manufacturing, and expert assembly. Importantly, Duraflow contained project costs. In fact, Duraflow’s winning bid was 50% less than a quote from a leading supplier of specialty filters.

Design Assistance

Duraflow priced the project accurately by reviewing part details and asking about potential design changes. The customer didn’t want to develop special tooling, so Duraflow found another way to support design for manufacturability (DFM). By adjusting the thickness of the filter frame and adding special drain holes and mounting holes, Duraflow developed a cost-effective solution.

Material Sourcing

The device that the electronics company was developing required a special filter material. Because the unit would be deployed on a city street, resistance to airborne contaminants was critical. The filter material that Duraflow recommended is a flame-retardant, UL94 compliant foam that provides excellent filtration, has a special core structure, and matches the color of the filter frame.      

Value-Added Manufacturing

To meet application requirements, this electronics industry project didn’t just require a black frame and black filter. The roll-formed aluminum that was used in the frame had to be anodized for corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal. By leveraging the power of its supplier network, Duraflow Industries outsourced the metal-coating to a trusted partner with expert capabilities.

Assembly

For each filter, Duraflow built a multi-layer structure using die-cut foam and layers of expanded aluminum. Die cutting requires tooling, but Duraflow’s work cell is extremely efficient. The company’s cost-effective approach to assembly including mounting the composite structures inside of the filter frames and then joining the components together into a high-quality finished product.

Shipping and Delivery

Finally, Duraflow met the demands of a delivery schedule that changed every week. The first production run totaled 4000 parts. Subsequent work included orders of 500 filters and deliveries of approximately 100 to 150 units per week. Because Duraflow has the warehouse capacity to store finished goods and ship on-demand, companies in electronics and other industries can find a complete supply chain solution. 

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