AUDIO MUSIC – A CASE STUDY

AUDIO MUSIC – A CASE STUDY

VINTAGE GUITAR PICKUPS

vintage guitar pickups

Recreating a Legendary Sound: How Allstar Magnetics Revived Vintage CuNiFe Pickups for a Global Guitar Icon

Client: World’s foremost manufacturer of guitars, basses, amplifiers, and related equipment.

Project Overview: In the music industry, the composition of magnetic pickups directly influences sound quality. A major audio manufacturer needed to re-create an obsolete magnetic material that had not been produced in over 60 years. The exact chemical composition was unknown, and customer demand for a vintage sound drove the need for a solution. Without a material formula or the ability to replicate the manufacturing process, the client turned to Allstar Magnetics for expertise in materials, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions.

Allstar’s Approach: Allstar Magnetics combined its deep material expertise and innovative manufacturing processes to address the client’s challenge. The approach involved recreating the custom magnetic blend, refining the manufacturing process, and ensuring scalability for volume production.

Results: Allstar Magnetics enabled the client to:

  • Recreate the original resonance and sound demanded by their customers.
  • Revive legacy products and develop new designs, driving organic sales growth.
  • Meet production demands efficiently through a reliable JIT distribution model.

Client Testimonial:
“For nearly 80 years, magnets have been an essential component of our products, contributing significantly to the unique sound that defines our brand and resonates throughout the music and audio industry. For over two decades, Allstar Magnetics has been an invaluable partner in this journey. Their expertise has been crucial in researching and manufacturing legacy alloys, developing innovative products, and maintaining a comprehensive stock of nearly 1,000 different magnet part numbers, all while supporting the evolving needs of the music and audio industry.”
– Chief Engineer, Guitar Research and Design

Vintage Pickups
Key aspects of the project included:

  1. Research & Material Testing: Allstar’s team conducted extensive research to recreate the custom magnetic composition, discovering additional materials beyond a standard blend that were crucial to achieving the original magnetic properties.
  2. Custom Magnetic Compound Development: The team developed a proprietary blending process and optimized the order of mixing raw materials to ensure exact performance characteristics.
  3. Prototype and Volume Production:: Allstar transitioned seamlessly from prototypes to scalable manufacturing, developing a process to achieve the final shape without altering magnetic performance.
  4. Just-In-Time (JIT) Distribution: The finished goods were supplied efficiently, leveraging Allstar’s robust supply chain and JIT model to meet the client’s manufacturing needs.
CuNiFe Pickups
Allstar Team Process:

  • Research & Material Testing: Custom magnetic composition and product research to ensure exact replication of vintage properties.
  • Prototype and Volume Production: Manufacturing expertise to transition from prototypes to high-volume production.
  • JIT Distribution: Efficient delivery of the final product to meet customer demand and support seamless integration into their production line.

Allstar Team Strengths:
Allstar’s team demonstrated unparalleled expertise in magnetic performance, manufacturing processes, and supply chain management. Decades of material knowledge allowed for precise reverse engineering and development of a custom magnetic blend. Their robust production capabilities and unique JIT distribution model ensured that the customer received the materials needed for a successful new product launch.

Conclusion:
Allstar Magnetics’ innovative approach and deep understanding of magnetic materials enabled the successful recreation of an obsolete product, helping the client restore their iconic sound. By partnering closely with the client, Allstar delivered a solution that met the demands of modern manufacturing while staying true to the legacy of vintage sound, driving significant growth and customer satisfaction.

SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION – A CASE STUDY

SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION – A CASE STUDY

SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION

Optimizing Supply Chain Solutions for a Leading Aftermarket RV Power Conversion Supplier

Client: Leading supplier of aftermarket power conversion for recreational vehicles

Project Overview: The client faced significant challenges due to reliance on a single-source supplier for a range of high-volume wound components. Although the bill of materials (BOM) allowed for lower-cost, equivalent materials, their supplier was unable to effectively source them. The inability to implement a Just-In-Time (JIT) distribution model compounded issues, leading to prolonged time to market, elevated costs, and heightened operational risks. Allstar Magnetics partnered with the client to overcome these challenges through engineering innovation and supply chain optimization.

Allstar’s Approach: Allstar Magnetics utilized its internal engineering expertise and supply chain network to address the client’s needs comprehensively. By re-evaluating the BOM and working closely with the client during the development and approval process, Allstar ensured a cost-effective and high-performance solution. Each component was built and tested rigorously before transitioning to full-scale production, leveraging trusted offshore partners for optimal cost, quality, and delivery timelines.

SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION

Client Testimonial:  “Thanks to Allstar Magnetics, we were able to overcome critical supply chain challenges that previously hindered our efficiency. Their ability to engineer cost-effective solutions, manage first article approvals, and deliver on a reliable JIT schedule has been transformative for our manufacturing capabilities and bottom line.”

Key Aspects of the Project:
 

    1. Development of Lower-Cost BOM and Manufacturing: Allstar’s engineering team re-designed components to use equivalent but lower-cost materials, significantly reducing production costs without compromising performance.

SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION

  1. First Article and Volume Production: Each SKU underwent a detailed first article process with client involvement to ensure compliance with specifications. Once approved, full-scale production was initiated.
  2. Just-In-Time (JIT) Distribution: Finished goods were stored in a local warehouse and made available for delivery to the client’s foreign factory within four business days, providing the flexibility and efficiency the client required.
  3. Just-In-Time (JIT) Distribution: The finished goods were distributed efficiently, leveraging Allstar’s robust supply chain and JIT model to meet the client’s manufacturing needs.

Results:
Allstar Magnetics delivered a solution that enabled the client to:

  • Achieve significant cost savings with equivalent-performance components.
  • Improve delivery times, ensuring JIT availability and enhanced operational flexibility.
  • Reduce manufacturing risks and time to market.

Conclusion:  Allstar Magnetics demonstrated its unique ability to combine engineering, project management, and supply chain expertise to deliver a tailored solution for the client. By addressing cost, quality, and delivery challenges, Allstar helped the client achieve greater manufacturing flexibility, reduced risks, and improved overall efficiency, positioning them for sustained success in the competitive RV aftermarket power conversion industry.

RF GENERATORS – A CASE STUDY

RF GENERATORS – A CASE STUDY

RF GENERATORS

From Prototype to Production: Allstar Magnetics’ Custom
Components Drive Innovation in Medical Devices

Client: A leading medical device manufacturer specializing in equipment for arthroscopic surgery.

Industry: Medical Devices

Project Overview: A medical device manufacturer approached Allstar Magnetics with a need for custom wound components to power their nextgeneration radio frequency (RF) generator, used in arthroscopic surgery. The RF generator was designed to use energy for precise surgical tasks, and they required custom transformers and inductors to meet both regulatory and functional demands. The challenge was to develop components that provided reliable performance, power isolation for patient safety, and compliance with FDA requirements, while maintaining efficient manufacturability.

Allstar’s Approach: Allstar Magnetics engaged in a collaborative partnership with the client, acting as an extension of their development team. The project involved developing ten different custom wound components, including transformers for power regulation and critical patient isolation.

RF GENERATORS

Client Testimonial: While engineers rarely express feedback explicitly, the ongoing demand for Allstar’s components after 30 years speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the collaboration. The medical device manufacturer continues to rely on Allstar for the same custom wound components, even as the product has evolved to meet modern medical standards.

Key aspects of the project included:

  1. Consultative Design Support: The client provided basic specifications, and Allstar helped shape the technical design, material selection, and manufacturability to ensure that the components would meet electrical and regulatory requirements. Allstar proposed configurations, produced prototypes, and collaborated with the client through multiple iterations to finalize designs.
  2. Patient Isolation Transformer: A crucial component was the patient isolation transformer, which provided necessary separation between the device’s power source and the patient to meet FDA safety standards. This transformer played a pivotal role in preventing electrical risks during surgery.
  3. Prototyping and Testing: Allstar provided multiple rounds of prototypes for the client’s testing and proof of concept. Throughout the process, adjustments were made to ensure that the components performed optimally in the medical device’s RF generator.
  4. Scalable Production: After successful testing and design finalization, Allstar scaled the production of the components, leveraging both in-house and offshore manufacturing capabilities. The design allowed for easy scalability to meet the growing demand for the medical device.

Results:

  • Successful Product Launch: The RF generator launched successfully, and the device gained traction in the medical community, particularly in arthroscopic surgery for procedures like rotator cuff repair and tissue ablation. The components designed by Allstar have remained integral to the product’s long-standing success.
  • Compliance with FDA Regulations: The power isolation transformers provided by Allstar ensured full compliance with FDA regulations, safeguarding patients from electrical risks during surgical procedures.
  • Long-Term Partnership: The success of the RF generator contributed to a lasting relationship between Allstar and the client. Even as the original manufacturer was acquired multiple times, Allstar continued to supply the components for ongoing product iterations, making the collaboration a cornerstone of the device’s market longevity.

Conclusion: Allstar Magnetics’ expertise in custom wound components and collaborative design support allowed the medical device manufacturer to bring an innovative RF generator to market. The partnership enabled seamless scaling, compliance with stringent regulations, and continuous product improvement, contributing to the device’s success in the medical industry for over three decades.

Custom Power Systems – A CASE STUDY

Custom Power Systems – A CASE STUDY

CUSTOM POWER SYSTEMS

Collaboration in Action: Custom Transformer Development for
Fire Signaling and Security Systems

Client: A leading manufacturer of power and data transmission systems used in Fire Signaling, Surveillance, Security and Access Control applications.

Industry: Industrial Networking and Power
Systems

Project Overview: The client approached Allstar Magnetics with the challenge of designing a custom transformer to support a clean sheet design for their power systems. These systems are critical in applications like Fire Signaling, Surveillance, Security and Access Control. The project involved co-developing a unique transformer with a semiconductor company to integrate into a high-efficiency power supply design.

Allstar’s Approach: Allstar Magnetics’ approach to this project was defined by a commitment to collaboration, customization, and scalability. By partnering with the semiconductor company and working directly with the client, Allstar ensured that the transformer design met both the specific technical requirements and unique application needs. This comprehensive approach enabled delivering a high-efficiency power management solution tailored to the client’s industrial networking and power system applications.

CUSTOM POWER SYSTEMS

Conclusion: Allstar Magnetics’ ability to collaborate with both semiconductor companies and end customers enabled the successful development of a high-efficiency power system solution. Through customization and scalable production, Allstar delivered a transformer that powered critical network systems, supporting the client’s power and data transmission systems. This case exemplifies Allstar’s role as a reliable partner in the design, prototyping, and scaling of custom magnetic components for industrial applications.

Key aspects of the project included: 

  1. Collaboration with Semiconductor Partner: The power supply topology for the project required a specific microchip, designed by Fairchild Semiconductor (now part of ON Semiconductor). Allstar worked closely with the semiconductor company to design a custom transformer configuration tailored to this chip’s requirements. The collaboration resulted in a reference design, showcasing the power management solution that would later be adopted by other companies.
  2. Customizing for Client’s Needs: Once the transformer design was published as part of the semiconductor company’s reference design, the client reached out to Allstar to customize the transformer for their specific application. Allstar adapted the reference design to meet the client’s unique power system requirements, ensuring optimal performance in their network and power systems.
  3. Iterative Development Process: The project involved multiple iterations of the transformer design, with Allstar providing prototypes that were tested and refined based on the client’s feedback. Within 9 to 12 months, the team moved from initial prototypes to a finalized design, ensuring the transformer met all functional and performance criteria.
  4. Scalable Production: Once the design was f inalized, Allstar scaled production to meet the client’s growing demand. The company leveraged its offshore manufacturing capabilities to produce hundreds of thousands of units annually, supporting the client’s large-scale deployment of their network systems.

Results:

  • Seamless Integration with Power Systems: The custom transformer provided the high efficiency required for the client’s power systems, ensuring reliable operation for critical applications like fire signaling, surveillance, or security.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: By working closely with both the semiconductor partner and the client, Allstar demonstrated its ability to collaborate across industries and design innovative solutions that integrate seamlessly into complex systems.
  • Market Growth and Scalability: The project not only fulfilled the immediate needs of the client but also positioned Allstar Magnetics as a trusted partner for future growth. The client’s products gained traction, leading to large-scale production runs and ongoing demand for the custom transformers.
TAILOR-MADE LINEAR TRACKS

TAILOR-MADE LINEAR TRACKS

Tailor-Made Linear Tracks

Applications of Custom Linear Tracks
in Precision Environments
Applications for custom linear track can range from use in precision manufacturing cells such as wafer manufacturing or clinical lab testing to end products such as operating beds, tables and stages for MRI and CT scanners. Linear systems are ideal for applications requiring precise alignment and positioning, such as diagnostic sample transport, food processing, vision systems, industrial automation, and collaborative robot (cobot) machine tools.

Linear Track

The definition of linear motion is to move an object in a straight line. Linear motion systems can include motors, drives, couplers, actuators, sensors, bearings, slides, tracks, and other hardware components. When precision in motion control and positioning is critical, commercial off-theshelf (COTS) solutions often fall short. Linear tracks are a prime example, where COTS tolerances may not meet the rigorous demands of high-performance systems.

From Concept to Manufacture:
A Customized Approach
Since 1989, we have specialized in the development and manufacturing of custom magnetic solutions utilizing neodymium magnets and stainless steel. Our expertise lies in building complex magnet assemblies and systems.

We utilize custom CNC tapping and specialtygrade steel backings to ensure structural integrity. Whether it’s flat or u-channel linear magnetic designs, , we refine concepts into manufacturable designs. We also take into account temperature and environmental effects on manufacturing processes, as well as adhesive specifications for varying environmental conditions such as humidity, heat, and outgassing, and their impact on machining tolerances. Our proprietary process is not only cost effective but also highly repeatable. Our unique approach allows us to provide customers with custom-built and staged linear motor tracks tailored for highly accurate motion control and positioning systems on demand.

Dynamic Performance in Custom
Linear Motion Systems
Linear motion systems have a wide range of dynamic performance. By customizing the motor and direct drive systems, high speed and acceleration can be achieved with exceptionally smooth velocity regulation and low ripple. They can also be customized to handle heavy or bulky load applications. Overall, linear systems have a lower cost of ownership due to less moving parts, reduced mechanical wear and reduced system operating costs.

The Cost vs. Performance Trade-off in
Custom Design
Designing a custom linear track involves a critical trade-off between cost and performance. COTS tracks are inexpensive but are limited to standard lengths, standard flat and U-channel sizes and set tolerances for position accuracy. Custom linear tracks requires design time, custom tooling, and custom manufacturing processes. If the volumes are small to medium, then the solution might not be cost effective unless you consider the total cost of ownership.

Many high-volume contract manufacturers do not have the experience or the safety training to handle strong rare earth magnets that are part of the sub-assemblies. There are safety, training, and manufacturing consideration when working with rare earth magnets.

Custom Linear Tracks For a Wide
Range of Applications

  • Diagnostic Sample Transport
  • Food Processing
  • Custom Assembly Processes
  • Robot/Cobot Systems
  • High Load Applications
Custom Linear Track Solution