{"id":5943,"date":"2019-09-10T06:19:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T06:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flex.com\/resources\/the-sound-of-revolution"},"modified":"2025-08-14T17:05:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T22:05:25","slug":"the-sound-of-revolution","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/resources\/the-sound-of-revolution","title":{"rendered":"Die Kl\u00e4nge der Revolution: Partnerschaft zur Transformation des 3D-Audioerlebnisses"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"overscroll-top\" style=\"background-color: #eaeef4;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"resource-header block\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"breadcrumb\">\n\t\t\t<a title=\"Homepage\" href=\"\/\">Flex<\/a>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M365.3 256l-22.6 22.6-192 192L128 493.3 82.7 448l22.6-22.6L274.7 256 105.4 86.6 82.7 64 128 18.7l22.6 22.6 192 192L365.3 256z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<a title=\"Resources\" href=\"\/resources\">Resources<\/a>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\"><path d=\"M365.3 256l-22.6 22.6-192 192L128 493.3 82.7 448l22.6-22.6L274.7 256 105.4 86.6 82.7 64 128 18.7l22.6 22.6 192 192L365.3 256z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<a title=\"The sounds of revolution: Partnering to transform the 3D audio experience\">The sounds of revolution: Partnering to transform the 3D audio experience<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<h1>The sounds of revolution: Partnering to transform the 3D audio experience<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"date detail\">\n\t\t\t\tPosted on<br>\n\t\t\t\tSeptember 10, 2019\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"categories\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"categories-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"cat-tag\">Case Study<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cat-tag\" data-cat-level=\"2\" data-destination=\"\/solutions-and-services\/supply-chain#resources\" href=\"\/solutions-and-services\/supply-chain#resources\">Supply Chain<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cat-tag\" data-cat-level=\"3\" data-destination=\"\/industries\/lifestyle?subcategories=audio#resources\" href=\"\/industries\/lifestyle?subcategories=audio#resources\">Audio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cat-tag\" data-cat-level=\"3\" data-destination=\"\/industries\/consumer-devices?subcategories=entertainment#resources\" href=\"\/industries\/consumer-devices?subcategories=entertainment#resources\">Entertainment<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cat-tag\" data-cat-level=\"3\" data-destination=\"\/industries\/cross-industry-technology?subcategories=smart-audio#resources\" href=\"\/industries\/cross-industry-technology?subcategories=smart-audio#resources\">Smart Audio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cat-tag\" data-cat-level=\"2\" data-destination=\"\/solutions-and-services\/post-production#resources\" href=\"\/solutions-and-services\/post-production#resources\">Value-added Fulfillment &amp; Logistics<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"sidebar block normal-sidebar\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"content\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-the-challenge\" style=\"font-weight:600\">The challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A new type of audio speaker based on MEMS technology is set to revolutionize the audio experience for music lovers, gamers, and users of interactive augmented-reality experiences. USound, an Austrian start-up, was founded in 2012. They developed a micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) prototype for miniaturized speakers which would give users an immersive 3D audio experience. By 2015, they had tested several prototypes in-house and were ready to find a manufacturing partner to scale production.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"id_69deb241ee58c\" class=\"media block\">\n\t<div class=\"container media-center \">\n\t\t<div class=\"media\" style=\"left: 0px; min-width: 100%; max-width: 100%;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sound partnership delivers 3D audio for USound\" src=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-sound-of-revolution-0.jpg\" title=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<script>\n\t(function () {\n\t\tlet hasRun_id_69deb241ee58c = false;\n\t\tfunction updateVideoDisplay_id_69deb241ee58c() {\n\t\t\tconst youtubeVideoId = \"\";\n\t\t\tconst bynderID = \"\";\n\t\t\tconst mediaType = \"image\";\n\t\t\tconst mediaVideoElement = document.getElementById('media-video-id_69deb241ee58c');\n\t\t\tconst bodyClass = document.body.className || '';\n\t\t\tconst match = bodyClass.match(\/translatepress-([a-z]{2})(?:_[A-Z]{2})?\/i);\n\t\t\tconst currentLanguage = match ? match[1].toLowerCase() : 'en';\n\t\t\tconst isChineseLang = currentLanguage === 'zh';\n\t\t\tconsole.log('isChineseLang:', isChineseLang);\n\t\t\tconsole.log('Language detected:', currentLanguage);\n\t\t\tconst isValidYouTube = youtubeVideoId && \/^[A-Za-z0-9_-]{11}$\/.test(youtubeVideoId);\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tif (!mediaVideoElement || mediaType !== \"video\") return;\n\t\t\tmediaVideoElement.innerHTML = ''; \/\/ Clear existing content\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tlet videoSourceClass = 'fallback-error';\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tif (isChineseLang) {\n\t\t\t\tif (bynderID) {\n\t\t\t\t\tvideoSourceClass = 'bynder';\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t} else {\n\t\t\t\tif (isValidYouTube) {\n\t\t\t\t\tvideoSourceClass = 'youtube';\n\t\t\t\t} else if (bynderID) {\n\t\t\t\t\tvideoSourceClass = 'bynder';\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\/\/ Apply layout class (used in SCSS)\n\t\t\tmediaVideoElement.className = 'video ' + videoSourceClass;\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\/\/ CASE: Chinese language\n\t\t\tif (isChineseLang) {\n\t\t\t\tif (bynderID) {\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Load Bynder\n\t\t\t\t\tif (!document.getElementById('bynder-widgets-js')) {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tconst script = document.createElement('script');\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src = 'https:\/\/d8ejoa1fys2rk.cloudfront.net\/bynder-embed\/latest\/bynder-embed.js';\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.id = 'bynder-widgets-js';\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute('data-account-url', 'https:\/\/brandcenter.flex.com');\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute('data-language', 'zh');\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script);\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tconst bynderDiv = document.createElement('div');\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.id = 'bynder-id_69deb241ee58c';\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.className = 'video-bynder';\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.setAttribute('data-bynder-widget', 'video-item');\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.setAttribute('data-media-id', bynderID);\n\t\t\t\t\tmediaVideoElement.appendChild(bynderDiv);\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(() => {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tif (typeof BynderEmbed !== 'undefined' && typeof BynderEmbed.load === 'function') {\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBynderEmbed.load();\n\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t}, 500);\n\t\t\t\t} else {\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ No Bynder = error (even if YouTube is valid)\n\t\t\t\t\tshowVideoError();\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\/\/ CASE: Not Chinese\n\t\t\t} else {\n\t\t\t\tif (isValidYouTube) {\n\t\t\t\t\tconst iframe = document.createElement('iframe');\n\t\t\t\t\tiframe.id = 'youtube-id_69deb241ee58c';\n\t\t\t\t\tiframe.className = 'video-youtube';\n\t\t\t\t\tiframe.src = 'https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/' + youtubeVideoId + '?rel=0';\n\t\t\t\t\tiframe.frameBorder = '0';\n\t\t\t\t\tiframe.playsInline = true;\n\t\t\t\t\tiframe.allow = 'encrypted-media';\n\t\t\t\t\tiframe.allowFullscreen = true;\n\t\t\t\t\tmediaVideoElement.appendChild(iframe);\n\t\t\t\t} else if (bynderID) {\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ Load Bynder (fallback if no YouTube)\n\t\t\t\t\tif (!document.getElementById('bynder-widgets-js')) {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tconst script = document.createElement('script');\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.src = 'https:\/\/d8ejoa1fys2rk.cloudfront.net\/bynder-embed\/latest\/bynder-embed.js';\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.id = 'bynder-widgets-js';\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute('data-account-url', 'https:\/\/brandcenter.flex.com');\n\t\t\t\t\t\tscript.setAttribute('data-language', currentLanguage);\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.body.appendChild(script);\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tconst bynderDiv = document.createElement('div');\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.id = 'bynder-id_69deb241ee58c';\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.className = 'video-bynder';\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.setAttribute('data-bynder-widget', 'video-item');\n\t\t\t\t\tbynderDiv.setAttribute('data-media-id', bynderID);\n\t\t\t\t\tmediaVideoElement.appendChild(bynderDiv);\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(() => {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tif (typeof BynderEmbed !== 'undefined' && typeof BynderEmbed.load === 'function') {\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBynderEmbed.load();\n\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t}, 500);\n\t\t\t\t} else {\n\t\t\t\t\t\/\/ No valid YouTube or Bynder = error\n\t\t\t\t\tshowVideoError();\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\n\t\t\tfunction showVideoError() {\n\t\t\t\tconst errorDiv = document.createElement('div');\n\t\t\t\terrorDiv.id = 'video-error-id_69deb241ee58c';\n\t\t\t\terrorDiv.className = 'video-error';\n\t\t\t\terrorDiv.innerHTML = `\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Video Unavailable<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The content you\u2019re seeking is momentarily unavailable. We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing it with you soon.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t`;\n\t\t\t\tmediaVideoElement.appendChild(errorDiv);\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t\t\n\t\tfunction runVideoInjection() {\n\t\t\tif (hasRun_id_69deb241ee58c) return;\n\t\t\thasRun_id_69deb241ee58c = true;\n\t\t\tupdateVideoDisplay_id_69deb241ee58c();\n\t\t}\n\t\t\n\t\t\/\/ Always run on front-end\n\t\tif (document.readyState === 'loading') {\n\t\t\tdocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', runVideoInjection);\n\t\t} else {\n\t\t\trunVideoInjection();\n\t\t}\n\t\t\n\t\t\/\/ Also run in editor if available\n\t\tif (typeof wp !== 'undefined' && wp.domReady) {\n\t\t\twp.domReady(runVideoInjection);\n\t\t}\n\t})();\n\t<\/script>\n\t\n\t<script>\n\t\tdocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\/\/ Get the block element by ID\n\t\t\tvar blockElement = document.getElementById(\"id_69deb241ee58c\");\n\t\t\tif (!blockElement) return;\n\t\n\t\t\t\/\/ Reveal the block\n\t\t\t(function ($) {\n\t\t\t\tScrollReveal().reveal(blockElement.querySelector(\".container .media\"), {origin: \"bottom\", distance: \"20px\", opacity: 1, duration: 1000});\n\t\t\t\tScrollReveal().reveal(blockElement.querySelector(\".container .content\"), {origin: \"bottom\", distance: \"20px\", opacity: 1, duration: 1000});\n\t\t\t}(jQuery));\n\t\t});\n\t<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-design-for-manufacture\">Design for manufacture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ferruccio Bottoni, Co-founder and Managing Director at USound, describes their position, &#8220;As a new kid on the block in audio, we were highly-focused on the design and development of our prototype product with the Fraunhofer Institute in Berlin.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"id-69deb242062a3\" class=\"box block content-width light-content de \" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: none;\">\n\t<style>\n\t\t#id-69deb242062a3 > .container > .content {\n\t\t\tbackground-color: #005486ff;\n\t\t\tposition: relative;\n\t\t\tpadding-top: 12px;\n\t\t\tpadding-right: 24px;\n\t\t\tpadding-bottom: 12px;\n\t\t\tpadding-left: 24px;\n\t\t\tmargin-left: 0px;\n\t\t\tmargin-right: 0px;\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 1272px) {\n\t\t\t#id-69deb242062a3.box.block.full-width > .container > .content {\n\t\t\t\tpadding-left: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-right: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t\tmargin: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 960px) {\n\t\t\t#id-69deb242062a3 > .container > .content {\n\t\t\t\t\/\/padding-top: 6px;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-right: 12px;\n\t\t\t\t\/\/padding-bottom: 6px;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-left: 12px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"content\">\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"block_16d32928ce78861e77f5bec84441ca5b\" class=\"quote block with-horizontal-padding light-content\">\n\t<div class=\"container\" style=\"background-color: #005486;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-top\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-top\" style=\"background-color: #005486;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m33 20.8c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2zm-18.3 0c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">We were ready to move to the next level and outsource our manufacturing to a third-party, but needed to find a partner with global capability but that also had a local presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">A mutual supplier suggested we talked to the Flex team at their Product Innovation Centre in Austria, where we would have access to expert knowledge in design for manufacturing and supply chain management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong>\u2014 Ferruccio Bottoni, Co-founder and Managing Director, USound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-bottom\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-bottom\" style=\"background-color: #005486;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m0 6.2c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2zm18.3 0c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-structured-methodology\">Structured methodology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Berthold Jaeger, Director of Business Development at Flex in Althofen, was part of the team which met with USound:<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_c7a5f8d89cdfae48c04ae3f03265c84f\" class=\"quote block with-horizontal-padding dark-content\">\n\t<div class=\"container\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-top\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-top\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m33 20.8c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2zm-18.3 0c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">They came to us with a brand-new technology, which was not something we had manufactured before. The prototype design needed careful testing and refinement to ensure the final mass-produced product was stable and of high quality. The systematic approach we take ensures the design is mature enough to be manufactured in high volumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-bottom\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-bottom\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m0 6.2c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2zm18.3 0c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-the-solution\" style=\"font-weight:600\">The solution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In April 2016, USound was treated to what Berthold calls &#8220;the product innovation centre approach.&#8221; This gives a new customer access to specialists in technology, design, engineering, and manufacturing in one team, under one roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-collaboration-for-industrialization\">Collaboration for industrialization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Althofen location allowed both parties to work as a single team which spoke the same language and operated in the same time zone. The <a href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/company\/global-locations\">geographical proximity<\/a> of the two companies ensured continuous communication and led to intense collaboration. This allowed materials to be tested, selected, and purchased quickly, while the product design was being refined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Bottoni, collaboration was key to the smooth transition from prototype to launch of the final product. The first phase began with the Flex team analyzing the &#8220;lab sample status&#8221; product to identify any weakness when it came to industrialization. This also informed the final bill of materials and production process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-full-product-lifecycle-services\">Full product lifecycle services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Berthold continues: \u201cOur approach to <a href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/solutions-and-services\/design-engineering\">design and engineering<\/a> led manufacturing, and knowledge of manufacturing technologies and component materials helped us provide design improvements for USound\u2019s product to ensure it was <a href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/solutions-and-services\/value-added-fulfillment-logistics\">ready for manufacturing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-maximizing-time\">Maximizing time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While the analysis and planning phases took a period of months, the investment in a structured approach helped USound avoid rushing to production only to go back to correct mistakes later in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"id-69deb242078b2\" class=\"box block content-width light-content de \" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: none;\">\n\t<style>\n\t\t#id-69deb242078b2 > .container > .content {\n\t\t\tbackground-color: #005486ff;\n\t\t\tposition: relative;\n\t\t\tpadding-top: 12px;\n\t\t\tpadding-right: 24px;\n\t\t\tpadding-bottom: 12px;\n\t\t\tpadding-left: 24px;\n\t\t\tmargin-left: 0px;\n\t\t\tmargin-right: 0px;\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 1272px) {\n\t\t\t#id-69deb242078b2.box.block.full-width > .container > .content {\n\t\t\t\tpadding-left: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-right: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t\tmargin: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 960px) {\n\t\t\t#id-69deb242078b2 > .container > .content {\n\t\t\t\t\/\/padding-top: 6px;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-right: 12px;\n\t\t\t\t\/\/padding-bottom: 6px;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-left: 12px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"content\">\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"block_16d32928ce78861e77f5bec84441ca5b\" class=\"quote block with-horizontal-padding light-content\">\n\t<div class=\"container\" style=\"background-color: #005486;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-top\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-top\" style=\"background-color: #005486;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m33 20.8c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2zm-18.3 0c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Experience tell\u2019s us that this is where you can waste a lot of time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong>\u2014 Berthold Jaeger, Director of Business Development, Flex<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-bottom\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-bottom\" style=\"background-color: #005486;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m0 6.2c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2zm18.3 0c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"spacer block\" style=\"height: 24px;\">\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>USound and Flex realized that the micro nature of MEMS technology meant the production line for the speakers needed to be fully-automated. The Flex team also recommended building the components in sub-groups to simplify the manufacturing process. \u201cFor example, because these units are so small, parts cannot be welded together and must be fastened using glue. The glue is applied in nanolitres \u2014 very, very small dots \u2014 so specific machines and equipment were purchased to automate the production line,\u201d Berthold explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two-way communication played a huge part in ensuring all parties were aware of progress with daily calls between the teams, monthly face-to-face reviews, and quarterly management updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-lessons-learned\">Lessons learned<\/h3>\n\n\n<div id=\"block_c7a5f8d89cdfae48c04ae3f03265c84f\" class=\"quote block with-horizontal-padding dark-content\">\n\t<div class=\"container\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-top\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-top\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m33 20.8c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2zm-18.3 0c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">My advice to any start-up going through the industrialization process is to immediately appoint a dedicated engineering resource to interact with the manufacturing team and, if possible, be on site daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Communication is key, and Flex\u2019s open and collaborative approach meant our expectations were managed and issues were addressed in a timely manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong>\u2014 Ferruccio Bottoni<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-bottom\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-bottom\" style=\"background-color: #ffffff;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m0 6.2c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2zm18.3 0c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\" id=\"h-the-result\" style=\"font-weight:600\">The result<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Flex approach to refine and develop a prototype offered USound a template for their own internal structure as they added to their team. For example, as Flex requested an expert\u2019s input from USound on an area like procurement or quality, USound recruited for the role. By mirroring the Flex process and ensuring the required resource was in-house, USound was able to grow its employee and knowledge base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-volumes-grow\">Volumes grow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Following test runs in November 2018, the first mass produced batch of units rolled off the automated assembly line. Building from an output of 10,000 units a month to 20,000, USound plans to increase production to more than 500,000 units in 2019 and more than one million in 2020. In addition to manufacturing, Flex managed USound\u2019s inbound components <a href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/solutions-and-services\/supply-chain\">supply chain<\/a> and bill of materials. There are plans to also manage the outbound logistics to original design manufacture (ODM) customers in China and other locations across the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ferruccio says: \u201cWorking with a multi-billion-dollar company has meant that the final bill of materials for our miniaturized speakers was very different to the one we had when we first met Flex in 2015! Having access to a global component market place, manufacturing facilities, and an onward shipping network means we can realize our ambitions to be an Austrian fabless company with an international reach.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\" id=\"h-some-light-on-sound\">Some light on sound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>USound\u2019s MEMS technology is seen as the future of audio and has been compared to the impact of LED bulbs on the lightbulb market. The next-generation design is already in development after receiving an additional equity tranche increasing the last financing round to $30M.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"id-69deb2420aa80\" class=\"box block content-width light-content de \" style=\"background-color: transparent; background-image: none;\">\n\t<style>\n\t\t#id-69deb2420aa80 > .container > .content {\n\t\t\tbackground-color: #7f1e5eff;\n\t\t\tposition: relative;\n\t\t\tpadding-top: 12px;\n\t\t\tpadding-right: 24px;\n\t\t\tpadding-bottom: 12px;\n\t\t\tpadding-left: 24px;\n\t\t\tmargin-left: 0px;\n\t\t\tmargin-right: 0px;\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 1272px) {\n\t\t\t#id-69deb2420aa80.box.block.full-width > .container > .content {\n\t\t\t\tpadding-left: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-right: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t\tmargin: 0 !important;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t\t@media (max-width: 960px) {\n\t\t\t#id-69deb2420aa80 > .container > .content {\n\t\t\t\t\/\/padding-top: 6px;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-right: 12px;\n\t\t\t\t\/\/padding-bottom: 6px;\n\t\t\t\tpadding-left: 12px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"content\">\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"block_b49a4192203173c78ba787b454205d5f\" class=\"quote block no-horizontal-padding light-content\">\n\t<div class=\"container\" style=\"background-color: #7f1e5e;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-top\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-top\" style=\"background-color: #7f1e5e;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m33 20.8c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2zm-18.3 0c0-3.9-2.9-6.3-6.4-6.3-1.1 0-1.8.3-2.1.5.1-4.3 3.3-9 8-10.1v-4.9c-6 .6-14.2 5.9-14.2 18.2 0 5.9 3.6 8.8 7.8 8.8 3.9 0 6.9-2.8 6.9-6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">Flex has enabled us to produce high-quality, high-volume products and distribute them to our end customers, allowing us to concentrate on research and development as well as sales and marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">We plan to continue working with Flex into the future, not only on our current product range, but on new innovations in 3D audio technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><strong>\u2014 Ferruccio Bottoni<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-lines-bottom\"><\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"quote-marks-bottom\" style=\"background-color: #7f1e5e;\">\n\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 33 27\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m0 6.2c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2zm18.3 0c0 3.9 2.9 6.3 6.4 6.3 1.1 0 1.8-.3 2.1-.5-.1 4.3-3.3 9-8 10.1v4.9c6-.6 14.2-5.9 14.2-18.2 0-5.9-3.6-8.8-7.8-8.8-3.9 0-6.9 2.8-6.9 6.2z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"spacer block\" style=\"height: 24px;\">\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"spacer block\" style=\"height: 24px;\">\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"link-arrow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/downloads\/usound-the-sound-of-revolution-case-study\">Download the case study<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"sidebar normal-column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a title=\"The world&#8217;s slimmest gesture controlled smart band\" class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/resources\/the-world-s-slimmest-gesture-controlled-smart-band\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"he world&#039;s slimmest gesture controlled smart band\" src=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/the-world-s-slimmest-gesture-controlled-smart-band-0-540x304.jpg\" title=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCase Study\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a title=\"The world&#8217;s slimmest gesture controlled smart band\" class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/resources\/the-world-s-slimmest-gesture-controlled-smart-band\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\tThe world&#8217;s slimmest gesture controlled smart band\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a title=\"Smart wireless headphones reference brief\" class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/resources\/flex-smart-wireless-headphones-reference-brief\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Flex smart wireless headphones reference designs\" src=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/flex-smart-wireless-headphones-reference-brief-0-540x304.jpg\" title=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolution Brief\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a title=\"Smart wireless headphones reference brief\" class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/resources\/flex-smart-wireless-headphones-reference-brief\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\tSmart wireless headphones reference brief\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a title=\"TrueWireless Stereo Plus reference brief\" class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/resources\/tws-stereo-plus-reference-brief\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"TrueWireless Stereo Plus Earbuds\" src=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Screen-Shot-2023-01-23-at-4.56.49-PM-399x304.png\" title=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolution Brief\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a title=\"TrueWireless Stereo Plus reference brief\" class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/resources\/tws-stereo-plus-reference-brief\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\tTrueWireless Stereo Plus reference brief\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"spacer block\" style=\"height: 96px;\">\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2851,"template":"","categories":[45,79,71,61,81],"tags":[],"content-type":[8],"class_list":["post-5943","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-supply-chain","category-audio","category-entertainment","category-smart-audio","category-global-services-solutions","content-type-case-study"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource\/5943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resource"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource\/5943\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25222,"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource\/5943\/revisions\/25222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5943"},{"taxonomy":"content-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flex.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-type?post=5943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}