About Counterfeit Components

Why Anti-Counterfeit Measures are Important in Today's Marketplace
In a volatile marketplace where electronic parts rapidly become obsolete due to ever-changing technology and where component manufacturers constantly push out lead-times to unbearable waits, our clients are often left with no other choice but to turn to the independent distribution market to procure the materials needed for their electronic build. Time is money! Redesigns take a lot of time. And, waiting 52+ weeks for one component is simply not feasible when orders have already been taken on an end-product that has to get to market. Simple supply and demand. When parts are in short demand, they become increasingly valuable. When parts become increasingly value, the potential of counterfeits becomes greater. Add to this problem that a large percentage of components come out of the Asian region and the fact that China is the world hub for counterfeit just-about-everything, and you have a huge concern for the industry. As a matter of fact, our clients number one grief is always that one of our competitors has shipped them bad parts or strung them along on an order that they never filled. That is, until they met SolTec!

A Different Kind of Company
Too many of our competitors turn their heads the other way in regards to the industry's problems. Several of our so-called competitors are now serving jail time for knowingly selling counterfeit components to the US Government. With this type of stigma to work against, we work even harder to prove to our clients that we are, in fact, different. Some of our competitors might care about these industry problems, however, they are simply not knowledgeable enough or properly equipped with the right infrastructure in place to deal with these complex issues. When SolTec was conceived, I envisioned a company with higher moral and ethical standards and with the technology and capabilities to deal with this problem head-on.

Anti-Counterfeit & Testing Capabilities – In-House
SolTec Electronics is a smaller company with the flexibility to give superior personal service while conforming to any of our customers specific needs, yet with the same testing capabilities in place that only a small per cent of our larger competitors are able to offer. SolTec offers the best of both worlds, but we can do it with a lower overhead and pass the savings on to you.

Full Visual Inspection Using IDEA STD-1010
We have a 50 point receiving and inspection process, which includes the use of low to high-powered microscopes and digital cameras, chemical part-marking permanency tests. Based on pass/fail of visual, parts may be released for more advanced testing.

IC Decapsulation
Our ten-year experienced technician can get inside an integrated circuit to vie the internal die and bond pads with a metallurgical microscope. Based on observations made, we decide what, if any, additional testing might be necessary.

Counterfeit Detection & Avoidance
With our counterfeit-detection test equipment & highly –trained technicians, we have the ability to validate components internal structure and identify signs of counterfeiting or electrical stress.
Functionality Testing – Ability to perform full electrical functionality testing on many devices. Partnered with a full-scale test house for full functionality on more complex devices.

The above services are performed on all parts procured through SolTec Electronics at no charge as part of our zero counterfeit initiatives. Services also performed on a cost-basis on parts that have been procured through other channels.