Mastering Product Tech Packs

Let’s dive into seven essential tips for developing better product tech packs that will revolutionize your manufacturing workflow.

1. Embrace Comprehensive Documentation: A well-crafted Product Tech Pack is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a controlled document containing every crucial detail about your product. Think of it as a self-contained manual that could guide someone through the entire production process, even if they were isolated in a sealed room without the ability to ask questions

Key components to include:

• Detailed Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Precise dimensional and tolerance specifications for each component and subassembly
• Complete material specifications, dimensions, and tolerances
• Weights, capacities, and other relevant measurements
• Construction and workmanship details
• Complete packaging specifications and testing standards

2. Prioritize Visual Clarity: Remember the adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? In the world of product tech packs, this couldn’t be truer. Incorporate a variety of visual aids to ensure that every aspect of your product is perfectly understood.

Visual elements to consider:

• Technical drawings (both 2D and 3D)
• Photographs of prototypes or similar products
• Detailed diagrams of specific features
• Color swatches and texture samples

3. Leave As Little Room as Possible for Interpretation: In a global manufacturing landscape, cultural and linguistic differences can lead to misunderstandings. Combat this by being excruciatingly specific in your tech pack.

Ways to eliminate ambiguity:

• Use quantifiable measurements for subjective qualities. For example, color is often very subjective but can be precisely quantified using tools like a Spectrophotometer.
• Reference industry standards like PCI Visual Smoothness Standard Panels for powder coating quality and consistency.
• Provide step-by-step instructions and videos for complex processes
• Include multiple views and close-ups of intricate design elements

4. Streamline Communication Across Teams: A great tech pack serves as a universal language between designers, engineers, quality control specialists, and production teams. By centralizing all product information, you create a single source of truth that reduces errors and improves collaboration.

Benefits of a unified tech pack:

• Eliminates miscommunication between departments
• Ensures consistency across different stages of production
• Facilitates easier on-boarding for new team members
• Provides a clear reference point for resolving disputes or questions

5. Accelerate Production Timelines: Time is money in manufacturing, and a well-prepared tech pack can significantly reduce lead times to get new products to market faster and avoid costly delays.

How tech packs speed up production:

• Enable manufacturers to plan resources and production capacity in advance
• Facilitate faster and more accurate cost estimations
• Reduce the need for multiple rounds of sampling
• Allow for quicker identification and resolution of potential issues

6. Implement Version Control” As your product evolves, so should your tech pack. Implementing a robust version control system ensures that all stakeholders are working with the most up-to-date information.

Best practices for version control:

• Use a clear naming convention for different versions
• Include a change log detailing updates between versions
• Ensure all referenced documents (like CAD files) are properly linked and versioned
• Implement a system for archiving outdated versions while maintaining accessibility

7. Future-Proof Your Design Process: A well-structured tech pack isn’t just valuable for your current product; it’s an investment in your future design iterations. And, as the digital revolution gains steam, Product Tech Packs are naturally following suit transitioning from static files to 100% digital versions in the cloud. Check out our related post on Digital Supply Networks for more flavor on the digitation revolution.