Hi John - see my comments below. Bev gave you a high rate, telecommunications perspective - I am in a low rate, commerical/military avionics enviroment which will give you some very different answers. Dave Hillman Rockwell Collins [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] on 10/31/97 04:06:36 AM Please respond to [log in to unmask]; Please respond to [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] cc: (bcc: David D Hillman/CedarRapids/Collins/Rockwell) Subject: [TN] Component Shelf Life All, 1. Are a majority of the Manufacturers or OEMs receiving components through Receiving with parts that have date codes as old as 9531? **Yes, we recieve date codes that old and it is not uncommon to see components that are 3-4 years old in some instances. 2. Does anyone check the date codes of components as part of their Incoming Inspection? **We check solderability on a sampling basis per date code (i.e. the oler the component the greater chance for its solderability to be diminished). 3. If older than 12 months, how are you approaching the solderbility issues? Are you dispositioning the parts for rework, return to vendor or Use As Is? **It depends on what the purchase agreement with the various vendors as to how long the solderability is guaranteed. Reworking nonsolderability components involves several oxide removal or electrochemical reduction chemistries which can cost more than just getting new, solderable components. 4. Is it typical to receive components with date codes older around 9531, 9644, 9540, etc from the suppliers/distributers? **It depends on your use volumes - we have last-time-buys of components going obsolete, design specific components, and components for spares contracts which result in many of the older date code issues. 5. I've identified that some components that are very old (typ. older than 12 months) are having solderability defects (very random). I am having my Incoming Inspection identify the old components through an Expired Parts List.This sometimes helps me when identifying defects in mfg. Does anyone have a better method? **I don't, sorry. 6. I'm not sure thie method is benefiting like I would want it to. **My suggestion is to work closely with your component vendors to obtain component finishes which are robust with respect to your soldering processes. This is not an easy task due to component availability and schedule demands. Good Luck. Any input is appreciated. John Gulley Inet Inc. "A Smarter Vision" www.inetinc.com ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ############################################################## ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ##############################################################