Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
Catching up with Gardien’s Rick Meraw
December 17, 2015 | Dan Beaulieu, D.B. Management GroupEstimated reading time: 10 minutes
Meraw: I was recently in Japan performing a site survey on behalf of a client. This is where we basically conduct a QA review which ranges from a quick review all the way to a fully comprehensive analysis of procedures. With this particular client the area of focus was set up through test completion. A number of factors came to light. The test process was not being documented and the process itself was not formal in that every operator was doing something slightly different. As a result, a lot of the boards had test witness marks.
Beaulieu: What are those?
Meraw: These are the marks that are left on the boards from performing the electrical test process. We have significant experience gained from other customers and other markets in rectifying board witness mark issues. The solution was the introduction of a standardized procedure and process we utilize in order to minimize board marking. This was then rolled out to the client’s other facility.
Beaulieu: Correct me if I’m wrong, but you are the only company doing this kind of thing, right?
Meraw: Yes, we are; we’re the only global quality assurance company in the world.
Beaulieu: So this means that any company, whether it be very large or small, receives the benefits from OnTrack if they work with you.
Meraw: Yes, that is exactly right, and quite frankly, it is the beauty of the system. If it’s of no interest to a client, not a problem. It seamlessly works in the background ensuring that they get world class quality assurance from Gardien. Similarly, if the client wants detailed documentation and quality analysis, OnTrack is available to provide it.
Beaulieu: Is there any thought of sharing some of this information with the industry as a whole?
Meraw: Well, we have been discussing doing that but we’re not there yet. Stay tuned because it might happen sometime in the future.
Beaulieu: I will. In fact let’s make a date right now for us to talk again one year from now so that I can hear the rest of the story.
Meraw: It’s a date.
Beaulieu: Thanks, Rick.
Meraw: Thank you, Dan.
For more information about The Gardien Group and especially their OnTrack system, click here.
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