WEB SITE FAQS

The key to successful consulting and product development is personnel. What is the experience of the TPR staff? The TPR executive team has over 75 years of experience in digital printing technologies. In addition between full time staff and TPR Fellows, the group of individuals has accumulated over 300 patents.

1. How important is confidentiality in TPR business relationships?
2. TPR's historical focus has been on digital printing technologies. Can these technologies be effectively applied to non-printing applications?
3. Although we know generally what we want to do, can TPR help my company develop the technical specifications to satisfy our objectives?
4. Does TPR do testing?
5. What kind of business model does TPR employ?
6. Can TPR provide manufacturing capability?
7. Can TPR service overseas companies?
8. Does TPR offer products?
9. Does TPR keep these products in inventory?
10. Can TPR provide product support after the sale?
11. How does TPR handle communications with the customer during a project?
12. Does TPR perform patent searches?
13. If intellectual property is developed that appropriately belongs to the customer, can TPR file patents to protect that IP?
14. Does TPR do embedded computer product design and development?

How important is confidentiality in your business relationships?

TPR considers confidentiality to be a given in customer relationships. In most customer engagements, the execution of a mutual NDA is the first step in the process. Only TPR employees that are needed on projects are involved in information exchange.

TPR's historical focus has been on digital printing technologies. Can these technologies be effectively applied to non-printing applications?

Yes. Two examples of applications can illustrate how printing technologies can be applied as effective solutions in non-traditional processes. In the first, TPR has worked with a company to precisely coat tablets on a 3D basis using electrostatic techniques. In the second application, TPR has used the ability to finely deposit materials via ink jet to produce OLED screens. Using ink jet is thus an effective solution since TPR can lay down lines as narrow as 50 microns with placements and repeatability to one micron.

Although we know generally what we want to do, can you help my company develop the technical specifications to satisfy our objectives?

Yes, as a preliminary phase of our involvement with a customer, we can assist you in developing the technical specifications for your project.

Does TPR do testing?

Yes, we do many different kinds of testing. The tests can include environmental, benchmark, torture and feasibility testing. We use test suites and methodologies which are consistent with industry standards whenever possible as well as develop customized test plans to insure results are properly derived. In many cases, TPR has the existing equipment to conduct testing such as environmental chambers.

What kind of business model does TPR employ?
 
There are two basic ways of engaging TPR. These are fixed price and Time & Materials (T&M). The model utilized will be dictated by the specifics of the situation.

Can TPR provide manufacturing capability?

Yes. Typically manufacturing can be supplied for short run-lengths such as prototypes, betas, and small programs. For programs that may involve long production run lengths, TPR can provide manufacturing capability either through an affiliated company or through outside manufacturing companies which based on TPR's experience can satisfy the customer's needs.

Can TPR service overseas companies?

Yes. While most of TPR's business has stemmed from US companies, TPR has successfully completed a number of projects from internationally based companies including operations in Europe and the Far East.

Does TPR offer products?

Yes and no. Although TPR does not have a catalog of products, it can take certain general product concepts and customize those products to fit the specific customer needs. Examples of these include a PDLab Breadboard, an Electrostatic Model, Inkjet System, TC/Charge Analyzer, Toner Aspirator, Fuser Fixture, and Mag-roll Mapper. Most of these devices have been developed for previous development efforts.

Does TPR keep these products in inventory?

Generally not.

Can TPR provide product support after the sale

Yes, this is often provided even for international companies.

How does TPR handle communications with the customer during a project?
 
Generally a single focal point is selected through which communications are handled. Communications can be verbal or written using faxes or email, based on customer preferences. Often regular status meeting are held to update all parties on how the program is progressing. The frequency of these status meeting is determined based on the specific program with some dictating weekly sessions while others monthly meetings.

Does TPR perform patent searches?

Yes. These are done consistent with customer requirements.

If intellectual property is developed that appropriately belongs to the customer, can TPR file patents to protect that IP?
 
Yes, TPR has the know-how to file patent applications on behalf of the customer.

Does TPR do embedded computer product design and development?
 
Yes. In fact, we are experienced in a number of architectures - FPGA, PWB layout, communications protocols, and electrical and mechanical hardware. We have experience and a number of tools available to us including PERL, C/C++, HTML/XML, Java, Windows/Unix/Linux, Visual Basic/Assembly, Access/SQL, Pascal/Delphi, and CORBA. We have done this type of work on a stand-alone basis as well as an integrated part of a more comprehensive project.

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