SUPPLY CHAIN Don’t let component


obsolescence stall your project When it comes to obsolete or hard-to-fi nd parts, Dan Hughes, managing director at accredited independent distributor of EEE components, Princeps explains how you can rely on its knowledge, expertise and tenacity to securely source the components you need.


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omponent obsolescence is a major supply chain challenge for applications where long operational lifetimes are required; it is particularly acute for electronics, where technology constantly evolves. The very attribute that is so compelling about electronics, its tendency for performance to increase rapidly, means that newer parts emerge regularly. However, this means components are rendered ‘obsolete’ on an equally frequent basis.


Production of new or updated devices across all sectors of the electronics components spectrum, from ICs to passives to connectors, means purchasers are often left frustrated as they attempt to keep pace with electronics manufacturers. Older parts become harder to source, as reducing demand leads to manufacturers switching production lines to newer parts. Yet, the alternative is a costly redesign and for hi-rel applications, such as aerospace and defence, this may not even be feasible. This conundrum often leaves buyers feeling compelled to turn to the open market. Unfortunately, this opens the door for counterfeit parts to enter the supply chain with severe consequences for supplier and buyer alike. When not sourcing from franchised distributors, strict, costly anti-counterfeit measures become an unavoidable necessity.


Implementing an obsolescence management plan, such as that defi ned in IEC 62402, helps address these issues. Putting proactive strategies in place, ahead of parts becoming obsolete, helps mitigate against supply chain failure, as well as avoid potential resulting undesirable ‘panic’ actions. Specialist independent distributor Princeps provides an obsolescence service that not only reacts to the danger, but pre-empts the threat, using the following steps: • •


Monitoring and identifying devices at risk


Princeps’ BOM monitoring service scrutinises the entire bill of materials,


Figure 2: Sophisticated test & inspection equip- ment in Princeps’ verifi cation lab


Figure 1: Managing component obsolescence is a critical supply chain challenge


raising immediate alerts for any component mentioned in manufacturers’ PCNs (product change notifi cations), PDNs (product discontinuation notices), EOL (end-of-life) notifi cations and LTBs (last time buy) warnings. It uses a complex algorithm to predict the likelihood of a component being made obsolete, producing a predictive ‘time-to-obsolescence’ that substantially reduces the risk of unavailable parts.


Finding components and supporting LTBs


In this way, customers get advance warnings with enough time to source alternatives, secure lifetime buys or even redesign their boards before having to face the dangers associated with sourcing obsolete parts on the open market. For non-obsolete, but still hard-to-fi nd parts, Princeps provides access to a global network of authorised sources, casting the widest possible net and using its expertise and tenacity to track down elusive parts. The company’s experience and knowledge of dealing with global sources helps safely manage payments, shipping, customs and all key issues facing importers.


Mitigation of open market-sourced parts


Even with the best planning tools, there may be occasions when there is no alternative other than to access the open market to procure obsolete parts. Princeps offers a range of risk-mitigation solutions, including fully bespoke test and inspection plans. The company has invested heavily in its in-house testing lab, supporting the deep expertise of its inspection and quality assurance team with technology, including a recently upgraded Keyence high power optical microscope, Fischer XRF (x-ray fl uorescence) spectrometer, Nisene decapsulation system and Glenbrook x-ray inspection system.


Princeps’ Counterfeit Avoidance Program has been awarded the elite AS6081 Certifi cation, an aerospace standard setting out how distributors operating in the open market can mitigate counterfeit risks. Princeps was one of the fi rst UK distributors to achieve AS6081 certifi cation, after certifi cation body NQA approved its quality management system in 2016. The company’s process for safe procurement of untraceable components for use in hi-rel industries uses the risk assessment model detailed in AS6171 and SAE’s Counterfeit Defect Coverage Tool to identify risks and generate a comprehensive, optimised test sequence.


38 JULY/AUGUST 2024 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS


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