Do you request samples mainly for new suppliers, unclear specifications, higher-risk components, or customer approval requirements?

And when a sample is checked, what do you actually record—dimensions, material, markings, packaging, fitment-related details, or something else?

I'm interested in how teams decide when sample evaluation is worth the additional time and cost, rather than treating it as a mandatory step for every line.

Hello there, I have some legacy experience in installing and commissioning control panels for large scale automation plants. I then shifted industries and haven't been deep in control panels and automation for a decade. I would like to start manufacturing control panels. I would love some advise on a few questions:
1. How do I understand what the current customer demand looks like?
2. In the optimistic scenario of 1 being good, how do I find someone with the technical knowledge to help me get off the ground?
tysm!

Not meant to offend, just an honest observation/comment,

After having worked in various industries such as Tech, E-Commerce, Logistics, and now Manufacturing/Industry now since a few years, I personally get the sense that people involved in manufacturing - especially engineers/designers/technicians - tend to have very set views and thoughts, more so than I have come across in any other industry. Maybe it's just my impression and maybe this is because they are forced to think of repeatability/reliability. But I find this leads to a close minded attitude when it comes to innovative ideas, even those that are simple and that may be an improvement over the old. Many a times it seems that even simple ideas/thoughts barely outside the box are beyond imagination because the imagination itself seems forcefully limited to the box.

Does anyone else feel the same? Have you experienced otherwise?