Resion

Electronic components demand has been at the peak ever since the pandemic. However, with a lack of supply, many suppliers struggled to maintain proactive supplier lifecycle management for timely sourcing of authentic electronic components. However, these are not the only challenges industrial buyers had to face. In addition to finding legitimate suppliers, buyers also needed to comply with numerous industry standards such as XRF, RoHS Testing compliance, X-Ray testing, and more.  

What is RoHS? 

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is among the most widely used standard procedure. The RoHS directive came into existence to detect, restrict and minimize toxic waste that negatively impacts the environment. It is a directive used for limiting the hazardous chemicals and materials (such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, bromine, etc.) used in the production or distribution of electrical and electronic component equipment. In addition, it helps authenticate that the electronic and electrical components adhere to the industry guidelines. Therefore, RoHS compliance is mandatory, especially for supplying, distributing, and selling electronics instruments or electronic parts in the European market.   

The RoHS compliance testing involves the following testing methods:

• X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy  

XRF RoHS Testing is usually used as pre-screening testing for electronics that are suspected to be at risk of containing hazardous substances. Specialized X-Ray inspection equipment is used for the XRF Spectroscopy testing. It is a non-destructive technique that involves the analysis of particular parts of the electronic components. It helps identify the hazardous substances used in manufacturing the electronic parts and ensure that it does not exceed the specified safe limit of usage allowed for that specific component.

• Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy  

Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy or FTIR Analysis is an advanced testing method performed using infrared. It is a highly effective technique that helps identify the various compounds and materials used for manufacturing electronic devices. It analyzes the substances used in electronic devices to determine their absorption, emission, and photoconductivity. 

• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) 

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is a critical method widely used for RoHS process control. It involves producing and analyzing detailed images of the cell structure of the substances used in manufacturing the particular electronic parts. It is performed using a highly focused high-energy beam of electrons to scan the electronic components.  

It can be challenging to employ an in-house testing facility and find a qualified team for conducting RoHS testing. Thus, you may find it more beneficial to rely on third-party credible testing partners with fully-equipped testing facilities to perform the required testings. So, if you need third-party support from a reliable team of certified inspectors for XRF RoHS compliance testing, proactive supplier lifecycle management, and integrated supply chain solutions, get in touch with our team for expert assistance. Contact us today to learn more!

PCB (Printed Circuit Boards) are being widely used in almost every piece of electronic equipment. So naturally, effective quality control is essential when sourcing PCBs as the quality of materials used for PCBs determines the high performance of the electronic device. During the manufacturing process of PCBs, X-ray inspection and many other quality control testings are done to ensure quality at each stage. But they usually have to pass several additional quality checks before being sold as buyers must ensure that the PCB development follows the relevant industry standards when sourcing PCBs for manufacturing electronics. 

Following are the standard quality control methods used for PCBs: 

Manual inspection 

The first phase is usually a non-invasive manual inspection by certified inspectors. The inspector will ensure that the component has no visible defects. They usually use a number of tools to ensure the product is manufactured adhering to the relevant design standards. In addition, they will refer to the design of the original product to ensure the design of the delivered PCBs is consistent.  

Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) 

Automated visual inspection or Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) of the printed circuit board (PCB) is considered a superior and more reliable method of inspection than manual inspection. It is conducted using advanced technology machines to scan the PCB and detect any quality defects such as inconsistency of fillet size, shape, component line width violations, etc. 

X-Ray Inspection 

When sourcing any electronic components, X-ray inspection is a widely used method in many industries, including the medical industry, commercial industry, military, and aerospace industry. X-ray inspection of components such as PCBs is conducted to identify hidden defects that may have escaped the visual inspection. It is a non-destructive technique that helps identify manufacturing errors. Most buyers either use in-house X-Ray inspection equipment or trust third-party independent suppliers which provide certified products.  

Electronic testing 

The true test of quality is definitely the final product performance. Thus, PCBs usually undergo electronic testing to ensure they perform up to the required standards. It involves an electronic test with multiple pins to contact test points on the PCB to ensure there are no problems. 

If you want to buy high-quality PCBs or other electronic components that meet the industry-required standards, get in touch with our team for expert assistance!

Obsolete inventory refers to the stock that becomes unusable due to lack of demand or outdated build. Businesses are usually required to keep certain inventory in stock for manufacturing, distributing, and selling purposes. Inventory obsolescences are often caused due to businesses failing to manage their inventory often because of an ineffective inventory management system. However, sometimes obsolescence may occur due to unexpected reasons resulting in financial losses for the business. Thus, the manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors need to keep an accurate track of inventory, expect shortages, and make arrangements in advance to deal with deficits or obsolescence whenever they might occur.  

We have compiled a list of various reasons which may cause obsolescence and interrupt the flow of manufacturing operations:

• Discontinuation of components 

Sometimes, obsolescence may occur if the manufacturer of specific software, part, or machinery decides to discontinue the production or stops providing the support/updates for the component. It usually happens when they have launched or planning to launch a new component to replace the older one. It can quickly cause obsolescence that may disrupt the production flow.

• Advancements in technology 

One of the leading causes of traditional software, parts, and machinery obsolescence is the improvement in technology. The technological improvements happen at a much faster rate, making the previous technology out-of-date overnight. The manufacturers may require a considerable amount of time to make the required changes to adapt the new technology to cope up with the unexpected obsolescence.

• Lack of demand 

Sometimes, inventory obsolescence occurs due to a lack of demand when new technology becomes available and becomes more popular. As a result, the previous technology’s demand may fall below a certain extent, where the manufacturers consider it a better option to discontinue the product/software.  

• New regulations

And of course,  if the government suddenly changes current policies or establishes a new standard for certain products’ manufacturing due to detection of toxicity or ill effects on the environment, it may cause unexpected inventory obsolescence for manufacturers and distributors.  

• Long product life cycle

The product life-cycle in certain industries, such as the life-cycle of the Department of Defense (DoD) system, is usually much longer than the technology life cycle. As a result, when the technology changes, they cannot immediately change the system. Thus, it leads to inventory obsolescence challenges until the product cycle ends and new technology can be adapted. 

If you want to employ an effective mitigation strategy to counter these challenges, Resion can help. Get in touch with our team for effective supply chain and inventory management solutions.

How many times have we noticed a recent launch in the electronics industry quickly duplicated and available at dirt cheap prices without any restriction or regulations? Practically after every big launch of a sophisticated technology or electronics company! This counterfeiting of electronics components is a rising problem for small and big businesses alike. 

 In any product-based industry, the production cycle is quite simple - there is a demand for a product, a company manufactures it and then sells it to the target customers. However, the world of large-scale businesses is not as straightforward as we know it. There are a lot of steps involved, thus, arises the need for the supply chain management.

Counterfeit electronic chips are among the most significant threats when sourcing any electronic parts. In fact, as per recent research, the risk of unintentionally purchasing counterfeit electronic components such as chips increases by 25% every year. Simply avoiding purchasing electronic parts from a specific country (such as China) has proven ineffective in reducing the risk of counterfeit parts. As per research conducted in 2019, more than 60% of the counterfeit electronic components were delivered from suppliers of various origins other than China. Thus, it is crucial to employ effective counterfeit mitigation strategies to prevent counterfeit electronic parts. 

Here are a few ways to avoid purchasing suspect/counterfeit electronic parts

Risk assessment of various types of counterfeits

If you are considering buying electronic chips, you must be knowledgeable about the various types of counterfeits. When you are aware of the potential risk of counterfeit products, it can help you better manage the risk of counterfeits from entering your inventory.

Counterfeit detection and mitigation strategy

Many buyers decide to employ an in-house counterfeit detection and mitigation team to identify and dispose of counterfeit components. However, you can also rely on third-party certified experts to conduct the necessary testing and counterfeit inspection to ensure the delivered products meet the appropriate standards. 

Sourcing products from a reliable supplier

The best way to avoid/minimize the risk of counterfeit products is to source the required electronic components from reliable electronic component distributors. The ERAI is a reliable resource for the up-to-date database of reliable suppliers.  It strives to connect all sectors of the electronic supply chain from OCMs, OEMs, and CMs to Distributors, Test Labs, and Government Organizations for effective counterfeit part and supplier risk mitigation across multiple industry sectors such as defense, aerospace, medical, nuclear and commercial. 

Controlling and reporting counterfeits

It is crucial for buyers to report any information about counterfeit products and fraudulent suppliers on the shared industry resources to keep all the relevant parties well-informed regarding potential risks. The shared industry information exchange resources (such as ERAI) can be highly beneficial in controlling and reducing the risks of counterfeit products.

If you are looking to source authentic electronic chip supplies from reliable electronic components distributors, contact our experts at Resion. Resion is a reliable supplier of a wide range of electronic components for military, aerospace, defense, and commercial industries. We are also the industry-leading supply chain solution provider with an extensive inventory of electronic components. Get in touch with our team for expert assistance.

Electronic ceramic components are equipped with many ideal properties for different applications in power electronics. These are frequently used in manufacturing many kinds of equipment for medicine, machinery, electronic appliances, and many other industries. The ceramics are used in circuit boards and are primarily responsible for ensuring the machine’s proper functioning. Electronic ceramic components offer a higher conductivity, making the material ideal for various applications in communication systems, aircraft circuit boards, satellite technology, wireless devices, and more. However, with rapid IT innovations, the quality control for these components has become much more challenging. 

Electronic ceramics are used in small to large-scale integrated circuits, capacitors, sensors, resistors, and magnetic devices used in large commercial industries. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the material used is of high quality. A high degree of purity is essential for improved performance of ceramics used in electronics and electronic parts. Thus, different inspection techniques are used to ensure effective quality control of electronic ceramic components.

Following are the various inspection methods used for quality control of electronic ceramic components:

1.  Visual inspection

Visual inspection is the primary quality control method used for every type of electronic appliance to determine if there are any visible defects in the electronic appliances or parts.  An InterCEPT certified inspector inspects the packaging and labels on the electronic component for a detailed visual examination for any typos, fake numbering, blacktopping, and many other such indicators. 

2. X-Ray testing

If the visual inspection does not reveal any discrepancies, next, X-Ray inspection is used to verify the inner workings and structure of the electronic ceramic components. If there are any defects, unusual size, exceeding quantity, or indication of tempering, it will be revealed through X-ray testing. The images of the component can be compared with the images of the original parts to detect any counterfeits.

3. Decapsulation

Sometimes even X-Ray testing cannot give conclusive results. Thus, additional testing such as failure analysis testing techniques is used to verify the authenticity of the electronic ceramic parts. Decapsulation is a destructive test that is usually performed on a sample component using failure analysis (FA), constructional analysis (CA), and destructive physical analysis (DPA) techniques. In decapsulation, an internal visual inspection is first conducted using a high-powered microscope to verify the manufacturer’s markings, defects, typography, part numbers, mechanical accuracy, and authenticity. Next, chemical etching methods are used to verify each component used in the manufacturing.

There are many different types of decapsulation methods used for different kinds of electronic device components, depending on their application purposes. Various chemicals (such as sulfur acid, nitric acid, etc.) are used for decapsulation, rendering the sample unusable in most cases since it is a destructive testing method. Therefore, it is usually performed after radiography, external visual examination, leak check, and other inspection testings as required depending on the component to ensure its authenticity. If the sample fails the analysis, the whole batch will need to be discarded. 

The electronic ceramic component inspections can be conducted by your in-house certified team or a certified third-party provider offering reliable visual, x-ray, and decapsulation testing services. If you lack the in-house quality control capabilities, get in touch with our team for reliable inspection services to meet all your needs.