Yes, in most cases, the QPL part will work, but if there is 1 or more parameters which need to be tightly controlled, an SCD is the only way.
I'm just trying to point out that there may be times when an SCD might be the answer if there is early failures in the product, even if you are using QPL parts. It's some thing to keeo in mind and can be the difference between the cost of fixing early returns and wriitiing an SCD and purchasing the part to it. Obviously, it's a cost/delivery item trade-off. Once again,you'll also need to find out if there is also an EOL issue to consider,
@Brian: I agree with you, that is requirement for aerospace, military and some other industry. But in that case I prefer QPL parts. But many times, SCD are just copy of manufacturer's datasheet and other documents. DE and CE just add vendor name and theri part number to it.
In fast moving other industrial environment, for most parts, this may not be practical.
I fully agree with you that a controlling document is usually unnecessary for mechanical parts, since there is not much which can change or affect your designed product, however the same is not true for electronic parts. However, subtle difference in one (or more) paramer(s) can have a huge impact. It is where these subtle differences occur, that you might need to use an SCD.
You might need to write an SCD for a connector, though, if there is something about it which is citical for your product. It is when there is a possibility of some parameter which is critical to your design, where an SCD may control the critical variables within the device and save you from problems. There are so many different variables for connectors that you should look very carefully at them to assure that any particular connector will give you the reliability and exact function for which you are looking.
I know that within the aerospace community, connectors are one of the devices which cause the most headaches. I'm just urging you to make sure that you have considered all of the possible parameters of a device to assure that it will what you want it to do, with minimal problems. If there are are essentially loose parameter requirements to your part, an SCD most likely would not be required.
Do not shy away from the possibility of writing anSCD. The added cost which it may generate, may actually save you in the long run since it will assist in reducing problems later on.
@Brian: I am more concerened about off-the-self low cost parts. Not the high cost custom parts. So SCD may not be that relelvant. I want to use something is available in market. For example, goto Yokowo Japan web page and look for spring connectors. They have wonderful spring loaded connectors I may like to use in my application. It does not cost much. If I write SCD and ask for component and price for similar product, it may be too high.
So basically one has to do intense search on internet to get appropriate part. Assumptioin is that, someone else has already solved problem before you and part is available from them as standard part.
@_hym: I hope that you have now read my most recent comment. Relying, solely, on channel partners (distributors) puts you in perilous waters. You have to assume that they know EVERYTHING about the EXACT part you wish to use. If they do not, you may end up with a part which looks and is specified as the part you want, but it may not wprk in your design. If the CE and DE get together and come up with exactly what the DE needs, then a specification control drawing (SCD) is written and used to procure the part, if you have a situation where the part doesn't work properly you do have recourse. You can send the parts back to the supplier and either get them to send you replacement parts which comply FULLY with the requirements of your SCD, or you can get your money back and go to another (better) distributer for the part.
This is another reason why you should not wait until you run out of the part before ordering more. If the part doesn't work properly in your circuit and you have to send it back, then if you order from another supplier, you have lost a lot of lead time. This could have disasterous consequences.
This is why having a CE and a DE get together to come up with the exact requirements of the part and creating an SCD for it, is not necessarily a bad thing - more likely if it is a critical part, you could, possibly save a lot of money by using an SCD. (Nail it down so that there is no question about the required parameters.)(better safe than sorry)
By the way, I'm not saying all this just to tout myself, I have over 35 years of CE experience from which to draw. I've seen it all!
@Barbara: Regular email with parts update from channel partner is very good. To talk to them for looking for your part is good. Talking to many of them is better. However, sometime looking for simple connector takes whole week! No one elese other then DE or CE will place so much effort for it. System design or module design has so much resposibility and fun attached to it.
One seceret of searching novel parts is that you are looking solution for one problem - and you find resolution for your past problem or future need. I love this work.
Barbara,
More often than not, a direct componet manufacturer will not sell diresct to a company without achieving a very high volume commitment. They can justify this position by stating that they do not want to undermine their own channels, either Rep firms or Distributors. So your point is very well taken. A sole source may indeed have a distribution channel, but if the sole OEM dries up, everyone goes down eventually. There is one strong argument for bonded inventory. When I was buying ASICs, I worked my way all the way back to the foundry and bonded at the wafer level with contractual agreements that I could drop in with 24 hour notice to verify the the agreed upon wafer inventory was on the shelf ready for packaging. And as this was also a custom BGA, I had the package house guarantee bonded inventory as well. I actually advise this precaution for all in house ASIC product where the foundry is off-site. Also, it is a good idea to track wafer production by lot numbers and process traveler progress to anticipate and react to ramp-up requirements. The less that is left to chance where a sole source is involved, the more assured the timely supply.
Brian,
Good points. I really like the next to last paragraph reminding us that the DE may have specific needs not known by the channel partner when suggesting an alternative. One thing I think of immediately, is the key role the SRF specification, (self resonating frequency) for inductors has in an RF circuit where the circuit frequency, if close to the inductor's SRF, could render the inductor useless. Thanks Brian for a very salient comment.
Without a Component Engineer (CE) being involved BEFORE the channel partner gets involved, there is a danger that the part received, might not be the exact part needed. Getting the CE involved early in the supply chain is better than going directly to the channel partner, because it is part of the CE's job to find and specify EXACTLY, in conjunction with the Design Engineer (DE), what the DE needs for the product to be produced.
This means that the CE should have produced a specification for the part, with all the required parameters defined. This specification will be the controlling document to assure obtaining the "correct part", and should be what Procurement sends to the channel partner upon which to quote.
The CE should also, as part of doing his/her job, recommend alternate sources of procurement within the body of the specification, unless there is a specific reason why the part is to sole sourced. If the part is to be sole sourced, then the specific reason for the sole source of the part should have a "sole source justification" which should be included as part of the procurement package so Procurement knows who will be able to supply the exact part needed and why an alternate cannot be used.
The military covers part procurement with a series of standardized component specifications (MIL SPECs), but even these sometimes need to be modified by writing a Specification Controlled Document (SCD) which includes the requirements of the MIL spec, but with exceptions or additions added, based upon the DE's specific needs.
Thus, the need for purchasing an adequate amounts of the part to support future builds of the product can be identified, and a decision can be made as to whether a redesign of the product is needed, using "newer" or "better" parts. This decision should not be made when the amounts of the parts available in the company's stockroom is almost or completely depleted. Reordering parts should be based upon the projected lifetime of the product, factoring in parts for repairs as well as for current and future production.
While channel partners have a lot of knowledge about the parts which they sell, they may not know about parts with specific design parameters required, and thus the need for the CE, in conjunction with the DE , to define exactly what is needed. They may, however, be a good source of information about when a part is going to be discontinued by a part manufacturer (i.e. the part's End of Life (EOL)) (see also the paragraph above)
Lastly, if a specification is written and a reputable supplier is chosen, then the likelyhood of obtaining a counterfeit part is significantly reduced, but not completely eliminated.
Thanks for pointing out the difference between sole source and single source, I tend to use them interchangably. Whether due to an agreement or just lack of availability, it is scary when you know a critical component depends on the availability and reliability of one source. There have been too many natural disasters in the last few years for me to feel comfortable with that, but sometimes it's the only option. I read that in a recent Manufacturing Trends Survey 2/3 of manufacturers said they used single source components for critical parts of their product, so I guess in spite of the risks, it's something most people still find themselves doing.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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