Quality & Engineering
Quality isn't a final check. It's the process.
Nine practices that run through every order, from the first design review to the board that ships -- not a certificate framed on a wall.
Held Certifications
Audited, not self-declared
Four certifications, each covering a different part of the quality system -- general quality management, automotive-sector requirements, product safety, and assembly-class reliability.
ISO 9001
International standard for quality management systems.
IATF 16949
Automotive-sector quality management requirement, built on ISO 9001.
UL Certified
Independent safety certification recognized across North America.
IPC Class 2/3
Industry acceptability standards for electronic assemblies, up to high-reliability class 3.
How It Works
Nine practices, one process
General descriptions of how each practice is applied -- not a list of equipment or instruments, since we're not going to claim tools we haven't confirmed.
Engineering Review
Every incoming design is reviewed against its stated specification before it enters the fabrication queue -- checking that what was ordered is what will be built.
DFM
Design-for-manufacture analysis flags manufacturability issues -- trace geometry, hole sizing, annular ring -- before fabrication starts, not after a board fails.
Process Control
Fabrication parameters are monitored at each stage of the process, so a deviation gets caught at the step it happens rather than at final inspection.
Material Control
Incoming laminate, copper foil and other materials are checked against the specification called for by the order before they enter production.
Inspection
Automated optical inspection checks pattern accuracy, spacing and copper integrity -- a defect in the copper pattern gets caught before the board moves further down the line.
Testing
Every board is electrically tested for continuity and isolation across its nets before it ships -- not a sample of the run, the board itself.
Traceability
Production records connect a finished board back to its work order, so a question about a specific batch can be answered specifically, not approximately.
Reliability
Boards are built to meet the acceptability criteria defined by IPC Class 2/3 -- the industry standard for reliability-critical electronic assemblies.
Continuous Improvement
ISO 9001 certification requires an ongoing corrective-action and process-improvement system, not a one-time audit -- quality management is reviewed on a continuing basis, not treated as a fixed checklist.
Have a quality or compliance question before you order?
Send it to engineering directly -- specific questions get specific answers.