Rich,
Counterfeit parts are definitely a growing problem. But if you only rely
on factory delivery, you are still left with a line down problem.
There are many scoundrels selling counterfeit parts in the gray market and
it hurts all of us as a whole, but there are also many more reliable
distributors that do deliver as promised on a daily basis. I know many
independent distributors who run very clean operations by supplying stock
from reliable OEMs/CEMs and a set of established trading partners.
But when a part can only be sourced from a questionable supplier with a
reputation for selling counterfeit/substandard parts, a good distributor
should inform your buyer of the situation and recommend against the
purchase. If you are so desperate that you decide to proceed anyway, there
are still many steps that can be taken to prevent counterfeit parts from
getting anywhere near your boards, such as rigorous vendor screening,
visual inspection, and various levels of electrical or functional component
testing.
But you need to work with a distributor that is open, direct, and honest
with you. If they're only looking to make a quick buck and make promises
they cannot deliver, then I guess you might end up with an expensive set of
scrap boards.
In my opinion, the key to sourcing components is in the processes you
setup, same as in production. If you have bad processes in place or do not
practice and improve upon them diligently, your problems will build up and
bite your behind.
I know this wasn't the main point of your discussion so my apologies if I'm
off topic, but I just wanted to share my experience from a supplier's
perspective in case it may be helpful down the road.
Best regards,
Ben Kim
[log in to unmask]
======================
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:17:55 -0400, Rich Wolbert <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Wayne,
>
>...Sorry to hear you had the same experience with the counterfeit parts. It
>seems like you have to buy direct from the factory to get the correct
parts.
>
>Rich
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Wayne Thayer" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 9:59 AM
>Subject: Re: [TN] Oxidized PCBs
>>
>> ...We've been nailed by counterfeit parts too, so I feel your pain!
>>
>> Wayne Thayer
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rich Wolbert
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 8:32 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: [TN] Oxidized PCBs
>>
>> OK, I know you guys are probably going to shake your head on this one,
>> but I have to ask. We have a double sided fine pitch SMT assembly and
>> we
>> decided to go to white tin for the pad material. Here's where the
>> problem comes in, we ran one side and when we started process the
>> other
>> side we found counterfeit chips. We stopped production for two weeks
>> until the correct parts came in. When we tried to run the boards
>> again,
>> the PCB's oxidized so badly over the two weeks that we can not get the
>> solder to wet. Any suggestions, other than scrapping the 170
>> assemblies
>> at $600 a piece?
>>
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