There are a number of reasons a manufacturer may choose to source parts from outside their regular supply chain. Perhaps there is a shortage, and the component can only be found in the global marketplace; maybe a part has become obsolete, and it’s needed to finish a batch of product before making the switch; or it could just be a cost-saving technique. Whatever the reason, when a manufacturer goes outside their supply chain, there is always the risk of introducing subpar or counterfeit parts into the mix.
The good news, there are ways to mitigate quality control issues with independent component distributors.
Some parts move faster than others. For parts that sit around for a while, it’s imperative that proper storage techniques are followed to ensure the part remains functional. Some factors that can harm electronics over time are as follows:
Manufacturers choosing a distributor will want to be sure parts are stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled warehouse that is ANSI ESD S20:20 certified. This certification means the facility meets the global standards for static control set forth by the EOS/ESD Association, a professional organization that advocates for the protection of electrical and electronic parts, assemblies, and equipment.
Manufacturers should also seek out a distributor that is compliant with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) regulations. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and working in 164 countries, ISO is the standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national organizations. Since 1947, ISO has been promoting worldwide proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards, and it is one of the first organizations granted general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
The magic ISO number you should be looking for is 9001. ISO 9001 spells out the requirements expected from a distributor’s quality management system (QMS), and those that abide by it provide the best indicator of proper quality control. If a component distributor is not certified, this should raise a red flag as it demonstrates that there are no quality assurance guarantees and that a regulated QMS is not in place.
It’s important to note that some industries have specific requirements, approvals, and regulations. For example, AS9100 are aerospace standards that are based on ISO 9100, but include additional industry-specific QMS standards.
If a component distributor is as concerned about quality as you are, they will conduct their own internal inspection on all parts that go through their facility. It’s also important that the distributor adheres to IDEA-STD-1010, the benchmark of inspection standards that uses a 72-point visual confirmation for counterfeit mitigation.
Component inspectors should also be IDEA-ICE-3000-certified. This certification shows expertise in inspection, research, and counterfeit detection, and demonstrates that they have knowledge of industry best practices and quality assurance standards.
Some of the testing that may be conducted within an IDEA-STD-1010 include:
All date and lot codes are captured and recorded & physical counts are completed on all shipments.
Looking for a distributor that cares about quality? Look no further. At Sensible Micro, we inspect and test products with one of the most technically-advanced inspection labs in the industry. Our quality policy outlines Sensible Micro’s mission to continuously improve the effectiveness of our quality system and processes to prevent quality control issues and to meet and exceed customer expectations every time. To learn more about our component inspection and testing services, contact a Sensible Micro representative today.