Industry Executives, Professors & Politicians on Counterfeit Electronic Components

Forums connecting academic researchers, industry executives and national politicians are an important way to publicize the issue of counterfeit components  and to explore new approaches to eliminating this danger from our supply pipeline.

A good example of such a forum was one held in Connecticut earlier this year at  UCONN.

The two-day symposium was sponsored by UConn’s new Center for Hardware Assurance, Security, and Engineering (CHASE) and the U.S. Army Research Office (ARO). Mohammad Tehranipoor, UConn’s Castleman Associate Professor in Engineering Innovation and director of CHASE, was one of the event’s organizers.

NJMET Announces Collaboration with BGA Test and Technology

Late last month, NJMET announced a new collaboration with BGA Test and Technology of Bohemia, NY. The collaboration will provide our customers with a larger array of services by combining the finishing services of BGA Technology with NJMET’s screening, qualification, re-ceritfication and testing programs.

BGA offers finishing services in the following areas: Solder Ball Attach, Reball and Repair, Pb to Pb free Conversion, PB free to PB conversion, Lead Conditioning (Repair) and PCB Device Reclaim.

See the full press release for more details.  Please check the NJMET website for information on all of our test and engineering services, including the Mission Imposter Risk Mitigation program.

Please contact me at joef@njmet.com or 973 546-5393 for more information on this new collaboration or any other NJMET service.

Senate Committee Finds Counterfeit Parts Used in Military

A recent report released by the Senate Armed Services Committee reveals that counterfeit components have in fact been used in military vehicles and aircraft.  The report is a result of a 14-month investigation into the use of counterfeit electronic components in the military.

As part of the investigation, a database was complied with 1,800 cases of counterfeiting involving over one million parts. In over 70% of the cases cited in the report, the parts came directly from China. In many remaining cases, the components were purchased from a company based elsewhere, but the parts themselves originated in China.

This Senate report once again illustrates the need for rigorous professional testing to ensure that all parts are genuine and meet their specifications. NJMET offers a full menu of counterfeit component testing under its Mission Imposter® Counterfeit Detection Program.  For more information, see our website: http://www.njmetmtl.com/mission.aspx

For more information on the Senate Armed Services Committee report, see this Bloomberg News report: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-21/china-top-source-of-counterfeit-u-s-military-electronics.html

Counterfeit Component Testing in the National Defense Authorization Act

I strongly feel that the National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Obama was a monumental step in combating the counterfeit electronics epidemic.  A more powerful objective would be to establish government standards defining clear and concise testing requirements for different electronics component types focusing on proper functional and parametric (DC/AC) electrical testing.  The basic level contact testing which is used by some companies today does not instill a high level of confidence in the electronic components tested. The government should establish the higher standard for all electronic components testing.

The National Defense Authorization Act is large and complex bill.  For a one-page summary of the section relating to counterfeit parts, see: Defense Authorization Act – Detection of Counterfeit Parts Requirements (http://www.martindale.com/government-contracts-law/article_Taft-Stettinius-Hollister-LLP_1460238.htm.)

For more information about NJMET’s Mission Imposter® Counterfeit Component Detection Program, see the Mission Imposter Page  at the NJMET website or call Joseph Federico at NJMET’s Clifton, NJ headquarters at 973 546-5393.

Lessons from the failed Phobos-Grunt Mars probe: use proper grade components and test them

Last fall, the Russian Space Agency launched the Phobos-Grunt Mars probe.  Its mission was to journey to Mars’ moon Phobos, collect samples and return to Earth.  About 11 minutes after launch, the spacecraft stalled in Earth orbit and went into safe mode.  Most of the craft burned up in the atmosphere, the rest of it fell into the Pacific Ocean on January 15^th.

The investigation by the Russian space agency into the cause of the failure determined that non-space grade electronic chips were used in the spacecraft’s design.  Additionally, the report states that there was inadequate testing performed on the spacecraft’s components during the development process.

While there are issues with the official report’s conclusion that radiation caused the failure of the non-space grade components, this episode illustrates the problems that can be missed when there is inadequate testing of all electronic components during the design and development process.  Testing components over a wide range of environmental conditions is necessary to insure that they will work as intended.

Some counterfeit parts are inappropriate grade parts that have been modified (markings, etc.) to appear to be what they aren’t, for example using commercial grade parts in space. The story of the Phobos-Grunt spacecraft illustrates why  counterfeit components must be eliminated from the supply chain.

NJ MET Spring Bus Trip to Atlantic City will Support Avon Walk for Breast Cancer 2012

NJMET will sponsor its seventh Bus Trip to Atlantic City on Saturday, March 24, 2012. We would like to extend a cordial invitation to anyone in the Metro NY area to join us at the Golden Nugget on the Marina for this fundraiser.  Buses depart from NJMET in Clifton, NJ at 8:00 AM and will return at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $30 per person with a $20 slot credit.

Money raised from this trip will be contributed to breast cancer research through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, set for New York City later this year.

Anyone interested in joining us for NJ MET’s spring bus trip or making a donation to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is asked to call Joseph Federico at NJ MET in Clifton, NJ @ (973) 546-5393. Please visit NJ MET at http://www.njmetmtl.com

Information on the Senate’s Counterfeit Parts Amendment

The Senate recently approved a Counterfeit Parts Amendment  in an effort to reduce the number of counterfeit electronic components in the Armed Forces supply chain. The amendment was introduced by senators Carl Levin, D-Mich. And John McCain, R-Ariz., the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The amendment was to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

The amendment includes several important steps towards reducing the amount of counterfeit electronic components in the armed forces supply chain.

Here is a list of some of the specific requirements in the amendment:

• It requires DOD officials and DOD contractors who become aware of counterfeit parts in the supply chain to provide written notification to the DOD Inspector General, the contracting officer, and the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) or similar program designated by the Secretary of Defense.

• It requires large DOD contractors to establish systems for detecting and avoiding counterfeit parts in their supply chains and authorizes reduction of contract payments to contractors that fail to develop adequate systems.

• It authorizes the suspension of contractors who repeatedly fail to detect and avoid counterfeit parts or otherwise fail to exercise due diligence in the detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts.

• Finally, the amendment requires DOD to define the term “counterfeit part” – a critical and long overdue step toward getting a handle on this problem.

For a more detailed list of provisions, see: http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-approves-amendment-to-strengthen-protections-against-counterfeit-electronic-parts-in-defense-supply-system.

NJ Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno Visits NJMET

NJMET executives and staff had a pleasant meeting with NJ. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno recently. She came to offices to recognize our growth as a company and to discuss several incentives and programs to help NJMET create more jobs.

Here is the beginning of the press released issued after the event:

Joseph Federico, NJ MET’s Vice President and Director of Operations hosted Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno as well as principal members of NJ’s Department of State on Thursday, October 27th 2011. They came to commend the laboratory’s accomplishments for over 30 years of quality military, aerospace and industrial testing as well as to discuss future corporate incentives to benefit corporations throughout New Jersey.

The hour long meeting focused on future state incentives which could benefit NJMET and other companies like it. The incentives discussed included Employment Incentives, High Tech Manufacturing and Testing Incentives, Real Estate Resources, and Business Technology Advances in concert with The NJ Institute of Technology.

Click here to see the entire press release.

Recycled Electronic Components

Keeping One Step Ahead of Counterfeit Electronic Components is a good short article on the need for counterfeit component testing.  Among other things, it talks about the need for extra vigilance when purchasing recycled components. 

Often the purchaser does not even know that they are buying recycled parts. Old parts, near the end of their lifecycle are harvested using harsh and inexact techniques. The parts are then cleaned, re-branded and sold as new.

Job Opening for Electronic Technician.

Because of the increasing demand to uncover counterfeit electronic components, Joseph Federico VP and Director of Operation at NJ Micro Electronic Testing is looking for a full time Laboratory Technician  in NJ Micro’s main laboratory, in Clifton, New Jersey.

Electronics Technician

NJ Micro Electronics is looking for an individual with a minium of 3 to 5 years relevant work experience or a college degree (Electronics / Chemical Engineering or BS in Chemistry) and equivalent experience.

• Computer literacy & good writing skills are a must
• Must have outstanding laboratory report generating skills.
• Must be fluent in English
• Must have outstanding customer service skills

For further information, Please call Joseph Federico or Edgar Usman  at (973) 546-5393.