In Episode 21 of Force Tech Talk, Ben Savage MIIOM sits down with Eder to explain exactly how counterfeiting works in the semiconductor industry, what detection methods are available, and why the industry standards that govern testing, AS6081 and AS6171, exist for good reason.

They cover:

• How black topping works and why it is difficult to detect without specialist equipment
• Why industry-standard packages make remarking so straightforward for counterfeiters
• The testing hierarchy from visual and dimensional checks through to X-ray, decapsulation, and electrical testing
• How AS6171 defines risk levels and what moderate versus high risk testing actually involves
• Why rigorous supplier qualification matters more than downstream detection

Ben has been at Force Technologies for 20 years. In that time, a genuine counterfeit device getting through is something he cannot recall happening. That is not luck. It is the result of a consistent process.

Watch/Listen to Episode 21

In the latest episode of our Force Tech Talks, Karen Salmon, Charlotte Hughes, Ben Savage and Eder discuss the questions you keep asking about obsolescence management, end-of-life notices, engineering under pressure, form fit function replacements, and balancing just-in-time with 30-year product lifecycles.

Timestamps:
00:00 Start
00:38 Why do suppliers give short or unclear end-of-life notices
03:12 What are the biggest engineering mistakes when reacting to obsolescence under time pressure?
05:14 What should you do if you miss the last time buy notice?
07:25 What is the difference between a form-fit function and a 1-to-1 replacement?
09:43 How do you balance just-in-time principles with long-lifecycle products?

Are there any particular questions you have about obsolescence? We would be happy to include them in our next Tech Talk Q and A, or you can give us a call, and we can answer them in person.

You can find out more solutions to your obsolescence problems by watching more of our tech talks on this channel. Please like, follow and share to see more. 

#Obsolescence #ComponentEngineering #ElectronicsSupplyChain #Aerospace #Defence #AeroDefence #SupplyChain #ElectronicsManufacturing

The Five Elements of Continuity Principle define how aerospace and defence manufacturers sustain product lifecycles spanning 25+ years when component production runs last only months.

In this episode of our Tech Talks, Karen Salmon, CEO of Force Technologies, outlines the five critical elements that prevent customers from being caught out by unexpected component obsolescence:

1. Lifecycle Management - Ensuring continuous availability of dies, packages, design records, and engineering talent to adapt when suppliers discontinue products.
2. Form Fitting Function Replacements - Developing standard products that maintain exact compatibility with original components without requiring board redesigns.
3. Design Continuity - Preserving design documentation, assembly principles, and engineering records when fabs shut down, and original design files are lost.
4. Supply Chain Assurance - Building long-term relationships with suppliers based on trust and loyalty rather than transactional vendor rotation.
5. Legal, Certification & Conformity - Maintaining compliance with military-grade standards (AS9100 Rev D, MIL-STD-883) and quality certifications throughout the product lifecycle.

Karen draws on 40 years of Force Technologies experience, including a real case study: recovering a failed RGM 3182 chip assembly by locating the original Chinese engineer who revealed a critical 1mm die orientation detail that was never documented in the original design paperwork.

This episode directly addresses the core challenge facing aerospace and defence procurement: how to support 25-year product lifecycles when no single manufacturer controls component availability for that duration.

Listne to the full conversation as Charlotte and Karen discuss why "last-minute.com" approaches fail, how to plan for supply chain disruption, and what the ROM 2026 conference will reveal about continuity planning in defence procurement.

Everything looks stable. The KPIs are green, the output is steady, and the processes are documented.

But for many in defence and aerospace, a hidden risk is growing. When the "experts on the floor" the people who touch the components every day stop suggesting improvements, the process doesn't just plateau. It begins to fossilise.

Underutilised people’s skills is often called the "8th waste" of Lean manufacturing. In a sector where we are fighting to extend the life of 40-year-old electronics, this isn’t just an efficiency problem. It’s a decision-defensibility problem.

If your culture doesn't actively invite the "Gemba" to identify the next bottleneck, you are likely carrying a legacy risk that will only become visible when a project hits a critical delay.

In our latest episode of Force Tech Talk, Charlotte Hughes and Eder Fortes discuss why the most valuable asset in your semiconductor life-extension strategy isn't the equipment. It's the permission for your team to use their expertise.

The Discussion Covers:

•  Why "experts" often stay silent in high-stakes manufacturing environments.
•  Moving from "enforcing change" to "motivating change."
•  How internal culture directly impacts the reliability of your supply chain.

The Call to Action: Are you chasing people, or are you chasing tasks?

Watch this full episode to see how we’re addressing the 8th waste at Force Technologies.

About Force Technologies: With 40 years of experience, Force Technologies specialises in providing solutions for obsolete semiconductors. By maintaining a culture of continuous improvement, we ensure that our MRO, Prime, and CEM partners can extend the life of their legacy systems with confidence

Hosted by Charlotte Hughes and Ben Savage

Are you facing component obsolescence challenges? Struggling with last-time buys or trying to figure out how to keep your critical parts safe for the next 10, 15, or even 20 years?

In this episode, we dive deep into long-term storage for electronic components, what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a robust plan that ensures your parts are fit for use when you need them most.

Join us as our Applications Manager, Ben, explains:

• Why long-term storage is one of the most effective ways to combat obsolescence
• The key differences between warehouse storage and secure environmental control
• Which component types are most sensitive to degradation
• Industry standards you need to know (JEDEC, IEC)
• How to maintain full traceability and documentation over decades
• What to consider when choosing a trusted storage partner

Whether you’re dealing with plastic packages, wafers, ceramics, or full assemblies, this episode offers practical advice and real-world strategies for protecting your supply chain and your future builds.

Watch now and find out how to take control of your component lifecycle with confidence.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and check the description for more resources and how to get in touch.

To learn more about obsolescence and packaging solutions, visit https://www.forcetechnologies.co.uk

#ComponentObsolescence #LongTermStorage #ElectronicsLifecycle #SupplyChainResilience #ForceTechTalks

Welcome to Episode 16 of Force Tech Talks and our very first episode in the new studio setup. In this instalment, Charlotte and Ben explore one of the most discussed topics in the obsolescence and semiconductor space: COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) Packaging versus Custom Packaging.

1. What is the difference between COTS and custom packages?
2. When should you consider investing in a custom solution?
3. What are the lead time and cost implications?

How do packaging choices affect long-term reliability and lifecycle support?

From military-grade ceramics to soft and hard tooling strategies, Ben and Charlotte demystify the technical terms and share practical insights to help engineers, procurement teams and project managers make informed packaging decisions for high-reliability and long-life applications.

If you are working in defence, aerospace or any industry affected by component obsolescence, this episode provides clear and actionable guidance.

Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe and share with your network.

To learn more about obsolescence and packaging solutions, visit
 www.forcetechnologies.co.uk

#ForceTechTalks #Semiconductors #COTSPackaging #CustomPackaging #ObsolescenceManagement #Aerospace #DefenceTechnology #ComponentPackaging #SemiconductorPackaging #EngineeringPodcast