FEATURE OBSOLESCENCE
where English is not the native language. These grammatical errors, unusual phrasing or spelling mistakes on the labels would not be overlooked by a genuine manufacturer. One of the first moments that many businesses realise that their part is not genuine is when they open the instruction manual. Unusual language, misspelling and poor-quality layout are all good signs that the part is fake.
PRODUCT QUALITY Counterfeit spares are often made with inferior components, which means they can be lighter in weight and feel cheap or flimsy. Substandard plastic parts can also crumble; problems which are compounded when the part is put under load too. In addition, customers should check for faults in the design, such as poor machining, asymmetry and inferior surface finishing, as fake spare parts are not subject to the same rigorous testing as genuine components.
Some companies rely on more archaic electronics to provide the services that their customers desire. But what if the obsolete electronics that you’re sourcing are counterfeit? Leroy Spence, director of Obso, discusses the basics in identifying fakes
S
pare parts’ obsolescence is a common challenge for every industrial business. Many operations run to ‘just in time’ principles, coupled with the need for machinery to be maintained for long periods of time. In fact, more than 70 per cent of businesses have equipment with no spares’ availability, and half of the equipment used in more than 65 per cent of factories is over ten years old. It can be tempting to source the most readily-available electronic component in order to avoid the expense and hassle of equipment downtime, particularly if it is available with a good discount. However, this can be false economy.
The market is flooded with suppliers manufacturing counterfeit components, that, when installed, can severely impact equipment performance and longevity. In worst case scenarios, the wrong spare part can cause irreparable damage, rendering the machinery useless – or leaving the owner with a high repair bill. Therefore, operators should start considering how to protect themselves from this danger.
PRODUCT PACKAGING One of the first places to start is by examining the packaging closely. Cheaper materials and flimsy cardboard are often a sign that the spare part may not be genuine. This is especially likely if
36 NOVEMBER 2019 | ELECTRONICS
the customer is used to receiving parts in a plastic box, and the new component arrives in cardboard packaging without any prior notification. Purchasers should also check how secure the part is inside the box as counterfeit parts’ manufacturers are unlikely to invest in additional product packaging. Customers should pay particular attention to the barcode. Fake barcodes are easy to identify as they may be poorly printed or include spelling mistakes. Often the phrase ‘made in…’ will be wrong or missing and the country of origin may be different to the one that is expected.
It’s also advisable to peel back
any stickers on the component. Counterfeiters will often place stickers over the top of each other in an attempt to hide the original markings.
“The market is
Leroy Spence, director of Obso
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS Buyers should always spend a few more minutes checking the credentials of the supplier before making a purchase, making sure that they check the returns policy upfront to avoid any issues further down the line. Even if a customer has been unfortunate enough to have purchased a counterfeit spare part, there are still a number of steps that can be followed to help mitigate any risk. Firstly, and a very obvious solution, is
not to fit the part at all. For the sake of a few more hours of equipment downtime, the business could save significant cost in the long run and protect overall business performance. Secondly, if the customer is concerned,
flooded with suppliers
PRODUCT BRANDING Brand integrity is crucial to any business and manufacturers will invest heavily to ensure that their assets are not compromised. So, if the logo, fonts or colours appear faded or out of alignment, it is likely that the part may be a fake.
Many counterfeits may have been manufactured by a foreign supplier,
manufacturing counterfeit
components...operators should start considering how to protect themselves from this danger”
they should contact the supplier immediately and ask for proof of the country of origin, or return the spare part and ask for a full refund. It is also advisable to contact authorities, such as the International Institute of Obsolescence Management (IIOM), if a part is suspected of being a fake as they can investigate the matter. Finally, it is advisable to
speak to a reputable service and maintenance company for advice. Its engineers will have been trained in how to spot a fake part and can subsequently help source the correct component.
Obso
www.obsoltd.com / ELECTRONICS
The real deal or a fake?
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