Electronics Training and Certification: Crucial Elements in the Fight Against Counterfeit Parts

The electronics industry continues to battle fake or counterfeit parts, which production and distribution within the United States and around the world have reached an alarming rate. Tiered supply chains, bargain hunting, reduced inventory levels, part scarcity or out of production, assumption of quality control by others and limited inspection and testing have been determined as among the main reasons for the rise in production of counterfeit electronics and related components and goods.

Image credit: Flickr.com

In an effort to reduce and eventually expunge this huge problem besetting the sector, it is imperative that manufacturing companies subject their workforce to electronic manufacturing training by a reputable organizations and certification body.

Certification programs for electronic professionals may consist of one or more trainings on, among others:

• counterfeit product auditing or screening;
• counterfeit component QA inspection;
• counterfeit component detection techniques;
• counterfeit component recognition or identification tips; and
• counterfeit component mitigation process.

These comprehensive sets of courses and trainings are expected to equip electronic technicians and specialists with the knowledge and skill to detect and prevent counterfeit components, while advancing the company’s Quality Assurance process.

3 Facts That Will Get You Raving About Robots

Robotics fascinates us! This specialized facet of complex electronics has gained a lot of press with efforts from all over the globe create and recreate robot designs. Experts in the field of robotics agree that it takes brilliance and innovation to take electronics and technology to greater heights.

 Flickr.com / John Greenaway

Here are 3 top facts on robots and robotics:

1. The world’s very first humanoid was named Elektro. Introduced in 1939, this 7-foot robot from Westinghouse could speak roughly 700 words.

2. Robots are living among us in the real world! The US military utilizes about 4,000 robots for scouting bombs and poking around hideouts as they did in Iraq and in Afghanistan, respectively. The latter led to the successful capture of Bin Laden.

3. Kevin Warwick, a Cybernetics professor, implanted computer chips in his left arm for different remote functionalities such as for operating an electronic wheelchair and an artificial hand. The chip also allows him to operate doors remotely. Because of this, Warwick believes he is “the very first cyborg in the world."

What Electronics Have Consumers Been Spending Their Money On?

You may not know it, or you may not know enough about it, but you are spending most of the time of your day on electronic products. In fact, we depend on these a lot to finish work, accomplish personal tasks, and even entertain us! Not surprisingly, we unknowingly (or knowingly) spend a lot of money on electronic gadgets and equipment.

Here are the numbers related to electronic spending according to the Consumer Electronics Association or CEA:

• $1,312: the average amount spent by each household per year on consumer electronics, according to a 2012 CEA study.

• $206 billion: the US annual electronic consumer sales in 2012, as driven by the rise in the sales of tablet computers and smartphones.

• 796 million: the number of Apple devices sold in 2013, namely iPhone, iPad, and iPod

• 7.5 million: the estimated number of televisions bought in 2013 to watch the Super Bowl

Flickr.com / Phil Campbell

 Indeed, society has come a long way as electronics consumers. The numbers say it all!

More Consumers Eyeing for Consumer Electric (CE) Products this Holiday Season

Demand for consumer electronics (CE) products will be higher this coming Holiday Season based on the results of the survey conducted by HIS Technology. About 68 consumers responded to the survey, and most of them are into buying electronic products like game consoles, laptops, smartphones, and TVs. Other consumers who responded to the survey prefer buying these products not only during the season. They also buy smartphones when it is Black Friday, as they will be at home and just relaxing.  Also, the survey named Amazon as the leading online retailer trusted by many consumers.   Amazon is being followed by Walmart. Check this news at http://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/4754/big-holiday-season-seen-for-consumer-electronics.

The Importance of Electronic Manufacturing Certification

To be able to achieve excellence in electronics assembly, a company needs to have an electronic manufacturing certification. One certification that a company can have is the IPC-A-610 standard. This standard is about the Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies. It is the standard that most companies use worldwide. This standard is widely used because of its good reputation when it comes to its end product, which many consumers patronize. Durability, convenience, and reliability are what most consumers are after when it comes to electronics products.  This type of standard has a special feature of having highly reliable printed wiring assemblies. This means that the end product is really top of the class.

Every company that wants to learn IPC-A-610, the training program of this standard includes certification and instructional materials that mainly focus on the standard. When a company has a certification of this standard, it means that the company exhibits its commitment to customer requirements in producing quality products. Quality products are important; when a company produces such a product, it will increase its reputation as a good and reliable manufacturer. The training and certification of this standard has instant recognition, legitimacy, and value throughout the electronics industry. The training also produces certified IPC trainers. They provide IPC trainers with detailed instructional plans and high-quality materials. They can conduct training for application specialists, which includes the management and sales teams.

The excellent candidates for an IPC-A-610 training are trainers and quality supervisors who have the knowledge and skills in electronic assembly, as well as manufacturing supervisors and engineers who are well-versed in assembly. Also qualified for such training are those people who are responsible for the quality and reliability of the electronic assemblies of their company. Candidates are certified once they complete their course of study and pass the certification examinations. When they finish the training course and become IPC-A-610 certified IPC trainers, they will be provided with instructional materials to help them conduct modular application specialist training. They are taught to use a modular approach when they conduct training because this can help the company customize its training according to its needs.

Every company that will let its employees attend an IPC-A-610 Training and Certification Program will be able to gain a lot of benefits. The training program offers a wide range of learning and knowledge when it comes to the electronic world. Companies can gain continuous improvement of product quality and reliability through such a certification and training program. Authorized IPC training centers will see to it that their students will learn and understand the course that they are taking. Such knowledge of the standards can make a company more efficient when it comes to its production. The training program also supports the company’s commitment to continuous improvement of product quality and reliability.

Certification in electronic manufacturing is necessary to help safeguard the well-being of its workers and consumers. This is why every electronic manufacturing company should strictly implement standards on its manufacturing processes. This will not only benefit them but also their consumers.