Feature


dissects parts. “We get down to the bare die tomake sure that, if it's an Analog Devices part, that we see an Analog die andmake sure that the date of the die is well before the date code of the part. He said partmarkings,manufacturermarkings and part numbers are also checked.


“We also look for bond pads inside the die tomake sure that


they haven't beenmanipulated with,” saidMoyna. After the part is “de­capped,” it is placed under a high­end


microscope with a 3,000xmagnification for further examination. “Everything we do is photographed and saved. By the time the


customers receive our parts, they have our report that shows results of the tests,” saidMoyna.


CTG also uses a C­Mode scanning acousticmicroscope (C­SAM)


to test parts for voids or de­laminations to see if the components have been stored correctly. Extreme heat can damage a part. The C­SAMcan also reveal if the part has been used before.


If a part passes all the tests, it is given CTG's stamp of approval,


saidMoyna. Moyna said the lab testing “separates us fromthe rest of the


marketplace.We are authenticating the products, so if you buy a part fromus and we run it through our lab, it does not have to go through your quality control,” he said.


“We do everything in our power tomake sure that when a part hits the customer’s dock, it is ready for use,” saidMoyna.


Not an option A handful of other independent distributorsmay have similar equipment as CTG. But what separates CTG fromother distributors is that CTG tests every part that it sells, said Elefonte. “The lab inspections are not optional,” said Elefonte.Most


other independent distributorsmay use similar equipment, but only test parts if a customer requests it.”


Of course there is a cost associated with testing. An OEMmay


have to paymore for a part because of the comprehensive testing, but the cost is not significant when compared to the cost if a counterfeit part forces the shutdown of a production line, said Elefonte.


“If a customer buys about $10,000worth of chips, a couple


hundred dollars of testing buys awhole bunch of insurance that your product is not going to have any issues in production,” he said.


“One stoppage on a production line can be thousands of


dollars. The value proposition of the testing and the insurance it provides is just so worth it," said Elefonte.


He added that the lab is a continuation of CTG’s efforts to


guarantee the integrity of products. He noted that CTG is a member of the Independent Distributors Electronics Association (IDEA) and ERAI, two groups that work to help eliminate counterfeit parts fromthe supply chain.


“Froma strategic standpoint we have always been ahead of the


curve as far as being IDEA­certified and having a process for counterfeit avoidance,” he said.


But he said CTG determined that if it was going to continue to


be successful, it needed to domore to guarantee the integrity of the parts that it sells.


Elefonte said building the lab was “not a choice, it was a


necessity if CTG wanted to remain valuable to defense contractors.We saw it as a strategic vision that was a necessity.”


www.CTG123.com May/June 2013 | 21 Paul Elefonte (left), vice president of diminishing


manufacturing sources andmaterial shortages and BrendanMoyna, vice president of quality for Crestwood TechnologyGroup, sayCTGtests parts before they are shipped to customers


QUALITY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS


At Crestwood Technology Group (CTG), quality begins with the


company’s purchasing and sales forces. “The products that we buy are only sourced fromapproved


suppliers,” said Paul Elefonte, vice president of diminishing manufacturing sources andmaterial shortages for CTG. In addition every salesmanager at CTG has been certified by the Independent Electronics Distributors Association (IDEA). IDEA trains people on how to detect reliable sources of supply and screen for counterfeit parts.


“So not only aremy inspectors onmy quality teamall IDEA­


certified, butmy salesmanagers are also certified and that is pretty unique,” he said.


He said everyone in the company knows what questions to


ask concerning the integrity of the part and which suppliers are reliable.


“We only buy fromgood sources.We don't take the risk up


front," said Elefonte. "Everything is purchased fromapproved suppliers only."


CTG has three categories of suppliers. The top tier suppliers for


CTG are large franchised distributors such as Arrowand Avnet. They are ‘sources for open purchasing’ for everyone at CTG.


The second tier of suppliers are approved ‘surplus sources,’


which are either other independent distributors or brokers that CTG has done business with over the years and are ‘in good standing’ and have not had any problems with counterfeit or substandard parts.


Suppliers that are new to CTG are in the third category. CTG


reviews those suppliers carefully before purchasing fromthem. CTG alsomonitors the ERAI for any problems with suppliers


and parts. ERAImaintains a list of counterfeit parts that have been reported. “We very rarely have issues with suppliers concerning counterfeits part because of the upfront work that we do,” said Elefonte.


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