Another Counterfeit Bust

May 3, 2012

NCIS (The Naval Counter Intelligence Service) strikes again!  To date there have been three significant raids on electronic component distributors selling counterfeits.  MVP, VisionTech, and now Epic International Electronics, Inc.  NCIS and Methuen police officers confiscated electronics as evidence to begin their case against the couple working out of their home in Methuen, MA.  AERI had also received counterfeits early on from their former named company Tytronix, Inc. and removed them from our AVL.  Since that time it appears as though they have been reported for selling counterfeits by several industry websites.  It is still hard to believe that companies which are reported for selling counterfeits on multiple occasions could continue to have a customer base.  It just shows you that there are plenty of OEM’s and CEM’s not doing their homework when selecting a distributor.  If all manufacturers were careful selecting their broker and they trusted them when they said “There is nothing out there that we trust to buy for you”, then all of these companies would go out of business fast.  There are at least a hundred more of these companies out there.  If you are not already using an independent distributor with a known good reputation, the proper equipment to detect counterfeits, and conducted an audit of their facilities, it’s time to do so now.  Don’t find yourself in a counterfeit component disaster.  See this link to read more.

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Multiple Smoking Guns – Counterfeits Easily Detected

April 23, 2012

Here is a fun example that allowed us to detect these fakes with multiple blatant clues. 

Clue #1; During our inspection process we dip humidity indicator cards (HIC) in water to see if they are real HIC cards or if they have been made just to fool the unsuspecting buyer.  This HIC did not even respond by turning pink while under the water. 

 

Clue #2; We are careful to read the labels provided with the package to see if the information is correct and there are no misspellings.  This label was loaded with misspellings. 

 Clue #3; Obvious blacktopping easily removed with acetone.   

 

Clue #4; Re-tinned leads

 Whenever you are receiving parts make sure to use all the tools at your disposal.  Each type of examination gives either more confidence or builds your case against the suspect components.  We must utilize profiling, as described in the judicial/political world, when dealing with unauthorized distributors.   In todays open market you must consider all parts from the open market guilty (suspect counterfeit) until proven innocent.  We cannot use a fair legal system when subjecting these part to their trial.

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Great Story on Origin of the Semiconductor and Silicon Valley

April 16, 2012

For those of you who are fascinated in technology history, National Public Radio did an amazing story on Silicon Valley, which included the roots of the semiconductor industry.  It begins with the story of the men involved in the invention of the transistor and their struggles to get anyone to have faith in them to [...]

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AERI Announces European Office

April 9, 2012

AERI has extended its reach into Europe with the opening of the London office.  Our company has long done business in the region, but this will solidify our commitment to offer a full service solution to our European customers.  The office is staffed with long time professionals from the independent distribution industry who hold the [...]

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U.S. Government Secretly Buys Chips in order to Prove China’s Role in Counterfeit Component Creation

March 27, 2012

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released findings today with regard to blatant counterfeit electronic components readily available for purchase in a report called, ”DOD Supply Chain: Suspect Counterfeit Electronic Parts Can Be Found on Internet Purchasing Platforms”  This report details how, using a fictitious business name, the GAO bought 16 different groups of parts from [...]

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Acetone to Test for Blacktopping Doesn’t Always Work in Counterfeit Detection

March 23, 2012

When testing for blacktopping on IC’s the use of acetone has been the accepted method used when inspecting parts purchased from the open market.  The counterfeiters figured out years ago that acetone was being used and they have adapted by getting smarter.  Many of the top coatings now are baked on using acetone resistant materials.  [...]

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