Author Archives: WorkingBear


Mar04
What Is an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit Board)?

Caption: The FPC is inserted into a connector on the PCB. At a basic level, FPCs and PCBs are very similar in both function and structure. Whether it’s an FPC or a PCB, both use copper traces on the surface—and … Continue reading

Feb10
Waiver, Concession & Deviation in Electronics Manufacturing: Engineer’s Guide to Risk Checks & Self-Protection

Caption: Every time I’m asked to sign a waive/concession approval, I can’t help but feel uneasy. (Boss asks you to approve a concession? How engineers protect themselves from taking the blame.) Have you ever been in this situation? It’s late … Continue reading

Feb04
For Beginners: What Does SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) Really Mean in Manufacturing?

Caption: SKU is an abbreviation for Stock Keeping Unit, and it refers to the smallest unit that can be independently tracked, managed, and sold within an inventory system. Workingbear has spent quite some time in the industry, but only recently … Continue reading

Jan29
How Component Suppliers Can Break Into System Companies as a 2nd-Source Supplier

Many component suppliers work extremely hard to get into certain companies as approved suppliers. Playing the “pretty salesperson card” is a common tactic—while engineers may appreciate it, most of the time it still doesn’t open the door. So where does … Continue reading

Jan22
How Adding a Second Source (2nd Source) Can Create a Win-Win for Cost Reduction

As an engineer, Workingbear has to be honest—I really don’t like doing second-source qualification work. It’s time-consuming, stressful, and often thankless. If you do it well, management thinks it’s just part of your job. If it takes too long, they … Continue reading