Recently, Valor has published its guidelines and recommendations for traceability audit teams responsibile for subcontractor process quality monitoring. Many OEM (original equpiment manufacturers) conduct monthly audits to ensure their subcontractors are meeting their demand for exact assembly traceability database. Valor has been approched by many OEMs to come up with guidelines for such teams to assist them with building the right specification matrix and a structured framework for audit process. In response to that request, we came up with 7 recommendations for the audit process. Here they are:

1. When auditing an assembly shop-floor, auditors should request traceability reports to understand the level of traceability provided by their supplier. We advise auditors to ask suppliers for a Traceability level that allows tracing each reference designator and component position on each assembled PCB. Also the specific lot number for each component should be shown in relationship to the PCB ID, even if component reels have been replenished.
   
2. Electronic part subcontractors are advised to ensure that the link between each reel's IPN and its MPN is validated. Only components from the approved vendors list are allowed to be used in conjunction with the specific IPN.
   
3. Auditors should request a clear explanation from supplier as to which actions take place when (and if) reel splicing is preformed. Also the specific lot no. for each component should be shown in relationship to the PCB ID, even if component reels have been replenished.
   
4. Auditors should request traceability reports that include Process traceability - including indication of programs that have been used, their version, on which machine the components have been mounted, and also operator traceability.
   
5. Auditors should request a clear definition of how handling of Moisture Sensitive Devices (MSD) is done. We advise auditors to ask suppliers for an automated system to monitor MSD throughout the assembly process.
   
6. Auditors should request a clear explanation from supplier about the traceability of SMT machine coverage. This will give auditors the ability to estimate the flexibility to move production from one environment to another quickly by demand.
   
7. When auditing modules that are based on automatic placements as well as on manual assembly, auditor need to make sure that all information is collected in a single database.

Posted by David Bengal, VP Marketing, Valor