Category Archives: Quality


Apr08
How I Troubleshoot Hidden Open Circuits in FPCs

Flexible printed circuits (FPCs) are widely used because they can bend and fold. They’re perfect for compact products or for connecting signals between different PCBAs. But there’s a downside. As usage increases—especially in applications with repeated motion—FPCs can develop open circuits or … Continue reading

Apr02
Root Cause Analysis: Why FPC Traces Break

Recently, my company started seeing an increase in field returns caused by open circuits in flexible printed circuits (FPCs) inside the terminal. After digging into several cases, the root cause turned out to be broken copper traces. So what’s going … 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

Jan14
Explaining the Relationship Between BOM, AML, AVL, and MPN

BOMs, AML/AVL, and MPNs are essentially the “recipe” behind electronics manufacturing. All of these terms are closely related to a product’s material list. Understanding what they mean is not difficult—the real challenge is knowing how to apply them effectively to … Continue reading

Jan07
For Beginners: What Is a BOM? How BOM Works with ECO, ECN, and ECR in Electronics Manufacturing

For many people who are new to the electronics manufacturing and assembly industry, BOM and ECO are two very important terms—but also two of the most confusing ones. In this article, I’ll try to explain these concepts in a simple … Continue reading