The one "foolproof" method of avoiding faked, deffective, or substandard parts is incoming component testing. Several of my previous jobs have been designing test equipment to verify that components met standards prior to inclusion in a product. Of course this adds expense, there is no question about that, but our customers had always decided that it was less expensive to catch out of spec components prior to assembly than to have the customers find them. Of course, our testers had to be very reliable and quite accurate, and extremely robust, since if they failed our customers production lines would stop fairly quickly.
The one thing that I did have to remind some of our clients of early in the process is that it is simply not possible to test quality into a product. The testing is merely to verify that it is there.
Testing was often challenged as not being a value-added part of the production process, and so sometimes I did have to point out the prices of the alternatives.
It is true, in addition, I am wondering if, in a such way, the program could receive benefits from ATCA - Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement program and viceversa.
Dan, these types of activities from distributors can ruin the national saftey. Military qualified components are of high standard components based on different parameters like non volatile performance in high temperature, pressure, EMI, vibrations, high altitude etc. if counterfeit components are happened to be there, it may end up with the failure in mission critical projects/applications.
Apart from having strciter quality and process control norms for the second source manufactured parts, it is also necessary to have a well defined process to destroy the old and failed parts because they become the source for conuterfeiters.
It has been experienced that the conuterfeiter remove those failed parts from the elctronic waste and refurbish and repack them to look like brand new parts.
I enjoyed reading your article. Do you have any data to show how big the problem actually is? I wondered if such data existed as I could imagine the military would not be overly keen to broadcast it.
I can see the original supplier wanting the franchised manufacturer to adhere to specific process guidelines. Also, a certain amount of parametric testing should go on at each stage of the supply chain to catch any gaps in performance that would indicate counterfeiting.
Conterfeit part issues are a significant challenge for high-end electronic manufacturers that directly impact many industries, and they can turn projects into higher cost as described in this article. It is good to know that actions can still be taken to limit conterfeiting in military programs.
Dan: taking a look at after-market semiconductor suppliers will be of great value to our readers. One distinction I have seen over the years is that some companies are authorized by suppliers to manufacture obsolete parts. This is similar to companies being franchised to sell current components. The chip maker provides the masks, die and other elements needed to product EOL chips, which is a de factor warranty from the original supplier.
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.
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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.
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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