CMCA(UK) - “Catering for your Long Term needs”
Long Term Storage Facilities at CMCA(UK)
A new service that CMCA(UK) are offering is the Long Term Storage of Components and small assemblies. This service falls under the scope of Obsolescence Management and is intended for companies who have an Obsolescence policy which requires them to make purchases of critical components and then store those components until they are required for production. The components/PCB’s etc are stored in Nitrogen filled cabinets to ensure that the relative humidity is below 5%, this is to keep them as dry as possible and therefore “time-lock” them, until they are needed.
The parts are passed through goods inward and counterfeit prevention processes to ensure that we have received what the customer has sent and also to assure the customer; that what they have is what they thought they had! Any parts with anomalies are quarantined. Samples from each batch are photographed and copies kept in the Inventory Management System (IMS). The parts are split into date codes, by part number and manufacturer and sub batches created according to total quantities. This enables us to make deliveries of the oldest items first. The leads of the parts are XRF tested to ascertain their finish i.e. the percentage of tin/lead and the information recorded in the IMS. Depending on the lead finish and the size of the batch, samples may be taken for a watchdog batch to record and monitor the possible Intermetallic Compound growth (IMC).-which can adversely affect the future ‘solderability’ of components etc.
At this stage the batches are split into two, depending on pre-agreed criteria to allow for them to be stored in two separate locations to mitigate any risks of damage to one site from; plane crash, seismic occurrence, flood etc.
The cabinets are fitted with data logging equipment that records the RH levels, temperature etc and sounds and sends alarms if the environment drops below that required for a set period of time.
As a List-X security cleared company, the security of the components is treated as important as the data that we work with, therefore the cabinets and the areas that they are in are strictly controlled and access is only given to those who need it.
The rooms that the components are handled tested and stored in, are complete EPA’s and full ESD controls are observed. Access is only given to those who have passed our ESD training.
The IMS that we use to record all information regarding a part is also used to control the flow of those parts through the system and into the cabinets, the watchdog testing and, when required, their removal, packaging and delivery. This software is in-house developed and maintained, giving CMCA(UK) complete control and flexibility to cater for future customer requirements.
