Counterfeit Components Detection

Electronics experts to prevent counterfeiting

Counterfeit electronic components are substitutes or unauthorized copies of a product in which the performance or the materials used have been changed without notice.

They are also items that are deliberately altered in such a way as to misrepresent the actual quality of the item with the intent to defraud or deceive the purchaser.

The wider use of lower-cost parts, as well as non-verified procurement channels, are spreading the problem, being also prevalent in the medical and space markets. A growing number of fraudulent and/or counterfeit electronic parts are entering the supply chain, especially when purchasing parts from other than original component manufacturers or their authorized agents.

A Novel Non-Destructive Inspection Technique to Detect Counterfeit Electronic Components

Counterfeit detection cases

Counterfeit electronic parts detection plan

The counterfeit mitigation internal procedure issued and implemented by ALTER describes the requirements for procurement and validation of EEE parts oriented to risk minimization/avoidance of counterfeit electronic parts procurement, including final disposition.

The standard activities included in the procedure to counteract the risk of counterfeit components making their way into the manufacturing process are:

Supply chain monitoring
Manufacturer liaising
Development and maintenance of the components reporting and database
Training in counterfeit prevention
Using proven sources of procurement
Single lot procurement if possible
Safe long-term storage facility for validated parts
Counterfeit electronic components detection

Methods used for counterfeit components detection

External visual inspection (EVI)

Consists in a non-destructive optical inspection performed in two steps. Binoculars with magnification between 1x and 60x and with a relatively large and accessible field of view are employed for this purpose.

Radiographic X-ray inspection

Radioghaphic X-ray inspection is performed to detect internal physical defects in devices and verify their internal construction in terms of homogeneity, consistency and uniformity within the lot analyzed.

Scanning Acoustic Microscopy

SAM is a reliable and powerful tool for the non-destructive testing of microelectronic parts and base materials to quality control, inspection, and failure analysis of microelectronic components and materials.

Electrical measurements

Electrical measurements are intended not only to verify the basic operation of parts but also to ensure the proper performance of devices on the temperature operation range defined by manufacturer.

Solvent test for resurfacing

The purpose of this test is to verify that the surface of components has not been modified by unauthorized persons. Solvents applied will not cause colour change or removal of case surface.

Internal visual Inspection (IVI)

The aim of the internal visual inspection, a destructive test, is to demonstrate that the internal materials, design, construction, and assembly of EEE parts are following the applicable acquisition document.

Authenticity Test Lab Expertise: Detection of counterfeit electronic components

Because of the growth of counterfeit in electronics and to support our customers with short lead times on authenticity analysis, Alter Technology has implemented a state-of-the-art Authenticity Lab Area for fast response to this increasing demand with minimum impact on the supply chain. This lab executes a lean testing flow binding knowledge and experience on specific testing for counterfeit detection according to standards against counterfeiting (AS6081, among others).

This experience is materialized on a EEE parts database with valuable technical information for thousands of parts that have been tested for years and is used for reference in submitting authenticity assessments.

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Test Expertise