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Many customers assume that unauthorised or ‘grey market’ sources
are the only option once the original manufacturer stops producing a component. However, this is not the case. When an original component manufacturer (OCM) discontinues
a product, customers oſten have a final buying opportunity offered directly from the OCM. Oſten, customers do not want capital tied up in a large amount of stock, can’t fund a substantial purchase, or lack sufficient storage facilities. When their supply is depleted, they must find a new supplier, with limited safe options for sourcing a product aſter the ‘Last Time Buy’ (LTB). A supplier with an established EOL transition path, such as Rochester Electronics, offers the hope of risk-free ongoing authorised stock and production. SAE’s AS6496, developed by the Society of Aerospace Engineers,
is a robust anti-counterfeiting measure that sets guidelines to combat counterfeit products within the authorised distribution supply chain. Authorised aſter-market suppliers and manufacturers (as called out
in the US-DoD DFARS), such as Rochester Electronics, comply with AS6496. Te OCM authorises them to provide traceable and guaranteed products, and no quality or reliability testing is required because the parts are only sourced from the OCM. Providers who are not fully authorised may market themselves as AS6171/4-compliant. Tis indicates they follow standardised inspections and test procedures but may have minimum training and certification requirements to detect suspicious or counterfeit components. If AS6171 testing is being done, the product is not being tested to the original OCM test program. OCM test programs test significantly beyond datasheet parameters and are meant to filter products for no failures even when millions of units are sold. AS6171 testing is not equivalent to OCM testing.
The risk-free option of an AS6496 authorised after- market supplier should always be the first choice. Rochester Electronics offers an authorised continuous source of
supply with over 15 billion devices in stock encompassing 200,000-part numbers, providing the world’s most extensive range of EOL and the broadest range of active semiconductors. Over 10 billion of Rochester’s in-stock devices are classed as EOL by
the original manufacturer, from which the product is directly supplied. Rochester is well-positioned to offer a continuous source of supply for applications where the product lifecycle extends the active availability of a device. Rochester’s factory-direct offerings negate the need for expensive redesign, requalification, and recertification and avoid the risk of sourcing hard-to-find products on the open market. Components are 100 per cent authorised, traceable and guaranteed direct from
the OCMs. As a result, Rochester can offer the original component warranties and guarantees. As a licensed semiconductor manufacturer, Rochester offers ongoing
solutions using information and technology transferred directly to Rochester from the OCM. Rochester utilises the original manufacturer’s die and fab processes, matching the original designs, assembly solutions, and test protocols. Te resulting product is 100 pe cent certified, licensed, guaranteed and sold with full approval under the original manufacturer’s part number. Rochester’s licensed manufacturing solutions are current date
code and guaranteed to perform according to the original datasheet. Our team is ready to assist customers in navigating strict regulatory requirements. Rochester has manufactured over 20,000 device types, and with over 12 billion die in stock, it has the capability to manufacture over 70,000 device types. Rochester supports the extension of semiconductor product lifecycles
by providing design solutions that eliminate the need for system soſtware changes and minimise qualification costs. Te company specialises in authorised product porting from original fab processes and offers form, fit and functional replacements without introducing errata. Rochester is certified in ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9120, and ISO
14001 and holds QML MIL-PRF-38535 certification for Class Q and V applications in defence and aerospace. It is also authorised to manufacture ITAR products. Rochester provides reliable solutions for addressing component EOL
and obsolescence in long-life applications. For more information visit:
www.rocelec.com
www.electronicsworld.co.uk February 2025 07
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