Friday, March 1, 2013

How To Ensure That Your Military Components Are Authentic

The production and sale of counterfeit military components is an increasing threat to the supply chain of military products.  As manufacturers are pressed for time to create newer, more innovative and intuitive products, uncovering counterfeit parts is becoming the job for electronic component suppliers. A reliable distributor is able to provide their clients with the timely delivery of the parts they need at an affordable price and ensure their authenticity in the process.

Several scenarios can qualify a part to be counterfeit.  Some counterfeit parts are a result of a simple, but costly mistake of mislabeling. While some instances of mislabeling are accidental, others are done on purpose. For instance, a part that is intended for a specific purpose is relabeled for another by altering the part number. The use of such parts can cause catastrophic results.

Another reason for the production of counterfeit products is their manufacturers. While technological advances require engineers and manufacturers worldwide to be more innovative and efficient in their production of quality products, the producers of counterfeit components are also becoming better at masking their product.  If not tested properly, such components can be labeled and made to look like the authentic product.

To stop a counterfeit product from entering the supply chain, distributors use various methods of testing. The initial testing is typically the measuring of physical dimensions, x-ray testing and ensuring that all of the markings such as OEM are permanent. Another standard quality assurance process is electrical testing over temperature. Because each authentic component has known parameters and limits within which they will function properly, electrical testing over temperature can depict whether the component is authentic or not. Whereas physical measurements and OEM stamps can be faked, the results of electric testing normally cannot.

Experienced suppliers use a variety of standard and innovative quality assurance processes. When seeking a military component supplier, it is suggested that you narrow down your choices to the ones that specialize in the field. Due to the liability that a counterfeit component can represent, it is best that a knowledgeable expert tests the parts before reselling them to you. An approved supplier of military parts will most likely be listed on the Qualified Suppliers List of Distributors (QSLD).

Harry Krantz Company is a reputable supplier that has specialized in allocation and sale of authentic military parts for over 70 years. Although they provide electronic components to numerous industries, Harry Krantz Company specializes in providing authentic parts to the military and aerospace industry.A

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