Quality Testing of Raw Electronic Materials on the Regulated Industry

Abstract

A manufacturing facility is taking back control of their circuit assembly line by studying the behavior of their raw components. For this study the production line was carefully studied and some problems in the circuit assembly area were detected. Then a Fishbone analysis was carried to find the root cause of this problems. The inspection of incoming raw material didn’t test the critical parameters, the sampling size was not representative of the received lots and there were no records found of any measurements. After identifying the problem, a pilot study was made on six usual components. A sample of 30 of each component was studied and tested on their critical parameters: resistance on the resistors, capacitance on the capacitors, voltage on the batteries and contamination on printed circuit boards (PCB). The resistors, capacitors and batteries do not demonstrate an adverse trend based on the Individual Variable Control Charts. However, the Ionic contamination test results suggested the process is not in control, this process was measured using the Zero Ion Test Machine (ZITM). Some recommendations were made on the steps to take before starting to gather data and get the process in control: Reconsider critical measurements, change sample size, retrain and review processes. Key Terms - Control Charts, Electronics, Measurements, Production Line, Sampling Size.