"Counterfeit electronic parts are invading the US supply chain at an increasing rate."
There should be a "failure" in the controlling system at a level. We cannot prevent China from manufactring counterfeit parts, but I think that there should be a way to prevent the companents to enter the US territory.
Perhaps somebody can clear up the confusion in Element 14 ?.
If the company is selling to the government for military applications do the Newark/Element 14 conditions of sale (below) provide assurance that these components are authorized for sale on military applications ?
THE COMPANY'S PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED, RECOMMENDED OR AUTHORIZED FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS: HIGH-RISK APPLICATIONS SUCH AS SAFETY, LIFE SUPPORT, SURGICAL IMPLANT, NUCLEAR, OR AIRCRAFT APPLICATIONS, OR FOR ANY USE OR APPLICATION IN WHICH THE FAILURE OF A SINGLE COMPONENT COULD CAUSE SUBSTANTIAL HARM TO PERSONS OR CATASTROPHIC PROPERTY LOSS; OR FOR ANY MILITARY OR WEAPONRY USE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CHEMICAL, NUCLEAR, BIOLOGICAL, AIRCRAFT, MISSILE, AND SIMILAR MILITARY APPLICATIONS. UNLESS AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER OF THE MANUFACTURER HAS AUTHORIZED OR APPROVED ANY SUCH USE(S) IN WRITING, OR ALTERNATIVELY HAS PROVIDED CUSTOMER WITH A DOCUMENT SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER WAIVING CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY SUCH USE, CUSTOMER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY FOR USE OF COMPANY'S PRODUCTS IN ANY SUCH APPLICATIONS AND AGREES TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD BOTH THE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PRODUCTS HARMLESS AGAINST ALL LOSSES, LIABILITIES, CLAIMS AND DAMAGES THAT MAY BE INCURRED DUE TO USE OF THE COMPANY'S PRODUCTS IN ANY OF THESE PROHIBITED APPLICATIONS.
. Think of TI with an surprising login that takes you to their database and you key in a code printed on the top of the chip.
I swear I didn't type "surprising" the word is "issued" . There, that's much better.
The checksum type authenticator number would be automatically generated by a random number generator tied to the signal-trace response and recorded and generated at the time the OEM is testing the die for yield pass/fail operations.
This topic has to rise to the top of the "Things to be really, really concerned list". With all of the environmental legislation and the amount of resources being consumed to create workable screening programs and enforcing methodologies and authorities, how in the world will this not become another "war on drugs" type effort. We will need to appoint a "Chip Czar" with international reach who can storm counterfeit operations and dump over their ink barrels and seize their computers ala Eliott Ness and Prohibition. On a less grandiose suggestion, I recently read that chips can be identified by recording responses of die level trace length to electronic signals. This unique, one-of-a-kind "fingerprint" approach to authenticity is reminiscent of the "CheckSum" for programmable parts. Every OEM produced chip has a checksum associated to the trace length signal response, and so there will have to be "readers" at the distributor level or possibly the factory using the part in an assembly. I think we will see some of this going online as a business. Think of TI with an surprising login that takes you to their database and you key in a code printed on the top of the chip. If that code is in the database, select "Run" and compare the response number printed somewhere on your electronic version of a packing slip for that particular shipment...also on line. These are just concepts for a solution, but someone has to dig in and make something like this happen...or we are all in deep doo doo.....can I say that?
Is any of the proposed legislation aimed at prohibiting off-shore disposal or recycling of components from defense industry? Seems like that should be mandatory, not voluntary.
One of the notable experts on this subject is a guy from BAE they have identifed fake parts from reputable distributors, a CEO of one distributor is on the board of BAE yet in the UK arm of the same distributor there are no methods implemented to avoid counterfiet parts. Pysician heal thyself.
"Just eliminate the source of counterfeiting if it happens to orginate in US scrapyards"
Prior blogs have discussed the e-waste problem and the need for a uniform federal e-waste law. We currently have 25 US states with e-waste laws. Each slightly different. Until we have a comprehensive federal law the problem will continue.
My company is a distributor and we had a supplier visit to audit how we handled our excess inventory. They went with us to visit our e-waste handler. They even asked for certificates of destruction tp ensure their scrap product did not wind up offshore and in illegal counterfeit products.
I am really pleased with the interest shown in this topic! Sorry I have not replied previously but I had a login problem that is now resolved.
Let me say that finding cheap, easy to find "obsolete parts" from an unfamiliar internet seller should make you cautious.
As to the question about detecting counterfeit parts the answer is yes there are effective detection methods.
Visual inspections of incoming parts can detect poor quality counterfeit parts. X-ray inspections can detect anomalies and contamination, material evaluations can detect material defects, and die marking inspections can detect defects. The problem is the cost of inspections (beyond visual inspections of incoming parts) can be significant versus the cost of the parts. Being prudent in who you buy from and asking your supplier(s) to explain the measures they take to detect and ensure against counterfeit parts is critical.
one way to ensure that the components are genuine is to ensure that the distributors are serious about quality my experience is that badges and certification are just a necessary evil to make money, the point is that most distributors are only interested in selling stuff rather than quality
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
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.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
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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