Testing

This picture is exactly why we field test new products.

We can test something on the bench over and over again, but eventually it needs to leave the shop and deal with real-world conditions.

That’s where Dusty comes in.

Dusty is one of our top system testers, and if there is a weakness or an issue with something we are developing, he has a pretty good track record of finding it.

This particular unit stopped working during testing. Once we got it back and started digging into it, we found the problem.

Heat.

We had used too much potting material inside the enclosure. It did a good job of holding everything in place, but it also did a good job of holding heat in. Apparently electronics aren’t impressed by our efforts to make them extra secure.

So we made changes.

The updated enclosure now has ventilation, and we’re reducing the amount of potting material to what is actually needed to secure the components.

Will this be the final change? We think so, but that’s exactly why we test.

I would much rather have Dusty find a problem during field testing than have a customer find it after we start selling them.

Sometimes product development means finding out what works.

Sometimes it means finding out what worked a little too well.