According to Charcroft Electronics director, Vicky Mellor, the knowledge gained from a long-term focus on passive components adds depth to reliable design and procurement.
For most distributors, passives just support high-value components such as microcontrollers, microprocessors, power and sensors. However, a failed passive can have a significant impact on the ability of a system to operate, especially in a harsh environment.
Unlike most distributors, passives have been a core focus for Charcroft since 1974. The level of knowledge built up and maintained over that time is extremely deep. This underpins the skill and expertise which is essential to support buyers and engineers building systems which demand rugged, no-fail reliability.
Understanding the individual needs of each customer, and of the different sectors, is just as important as knowing the past, present and future of passive components and manufacturers. Every aspect of procurement and design must be managed proactively to identify and avoid potential challenges which can disrupt design or delivery.
The part numbers for capacitors or resistors are complex, defining the value, case size, voltage, termination and tolerance, in addition to the qualification, release and failure rate. So, a single series of passive components can cover up to 250 different part numbers.
If the customer engineer specifies a passive with a particular part number and named manufacturer, the design is tied down tightly. So, the buyer is tied to sourcing a single part number from a single manufacturer, which is an issue if that passive is not currently available.
The engineer can avoid the buyer facing this by specifying the passive by its description, rather than by a specific part number and manufacturer. If the distributor understands the design and passive part numbering system, it can offer an alternative if the original capacitor is not available. The alternative may have a tighter tolerance or may have the same specification and be from a different manufacturer.
For obsolete passives, another option could be manufacturing a custom passive component or assembly in the UK, to provide an alternative in form, fit and function.
Quotations must go further than simply providing a price and delivery for a passive or other component. Before providing a quotation, it should be known that the component is not on a parts change or end-of-life notice from the component manufacturer, and the ability to check the systems of franchised component manufacturers, adds certainty on the availability.
Communicating forecasts to component manufacturers must be based on more than combining customer forecasts but add an understanding of component trends and the sectors in which they are used. This is the basis of the strategy used by Charcroft to buy components in depth and to hold buffer stock, rather than using back-to-back ordering.
To be a specialist distributor and manufacture of passives, it is essential to have the willingness and resources to maintain close liaison with component manufacturers and to support each individual customer.
