Your circuit design is at risk with a discontinued component. How will you navigate this critical dilemma?
When a key component in your circuit design gets discontinued, agility is your best asset. Here's how to pivot:
- Identify alternative components that match the specifications of the discontinued part.
- Consult with suppliers about last-time-buy opportunities and stockpiling essentials.
- Explore redesign options that could integrate newer, more readily available components.
How do you tackle component discontinuation in your designs? Share your strategies.
Your circuit design is at risk with a discontinued component. How will you navigate this critical dilemma?
When a key component in your circuit design gets discontinued, agility is your best asset. Here's how to pivot:
- Identify alternative components that match the specifications of the discontinued part.
- Consult with suppliers about last-time-buy opportunities and stockpiling essentials.
- Explore redesign options that could integrate newer, more readily available components.
How do you tackle component discontinuation in your designs? Share your strategies.
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Conduct a feasibility analysis to ensure potential replacements align with performance, tolerance, and quality standards. If alternatives aren’t readily available, consider redesigning affected sections of the circuit to incorporate more accessible parts while maintaining functionality. Engage with suppliers to explore available stock or potential custom orders, and communicate proactively with stakeholders about any adjustments to timelines or costs.
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In my view, component discontinuation is one of the challenges that separates proactive engineers from reactive engineers. Instead of treating it as just a part problem, I see it as an opportunity to prepare our design for the future. My first step is always to analyse whether this discontinued component introduces a greater vulnerability in our supply chain. I usually create a detailed comparison matrix of alternative parts, assessing not only electrical characteristics, but also their longevity in the market, manufacturer stability and global availability. Sometimes a seeming crisis can push us towards a more robust solution.
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This common dilemma can delay production and increase costs. To help you, this is a list of tips for sourcing effectively: -Attend industry trade shows and networking events to meet potential suppliers and strengthen existing relationships. -Calculate your projected needs accurately to avoid overstocking, which can tie up your capital. -Subscribe to newsletters and alerts from your suppliers to stay updated on EOL notices and new product releases. - Use multi-sourced components that are available from multiple manufacturers to reduce dependency on a single supplier. -Work with suppliers who are transparent about their supply chains and have robust risk management practices in place.
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Identify the role of the discontinued component whether its critical part of the design or non critical part Determine whether an equivalent part exists in terms of functionality electrical characteristics & form factor Search for a direct form-fit-function replacement from the same manufacturer or a competitor For critical components, consider working with suppliers that offer long-term support for legacy parts If a direct replacement isn’t available, redesigning the circuit around a different component may be necessary Any design change should be simulated & thoroughly tested to ensure it doesn’t affect the circuit’s performance reliability or safety If you're designing a product for a customer, keep them in the loop about the issue
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When faced with such a dilemma, firstly you access what caused it so that you can avoid such a dilemma arising in future. Next look for a component that is more resistant to conditions that caused the former situation but also a component that won't affect the circuit. Then proceed to rectifying the problem
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Component obsolescence is a common challenge for us as electronic designers. Here are some strategies I use on my projects: I work closely with suppliers and use supply chain management tools to track component lifecycle statuses (active, obsolete, NRND). I select widely used components from established manufacturers to reduce the risk of early obsolescence. From the design phase, I identify compatible alternatives for every critical component. This simplifies transitions in case of unavailability. Product change notifications are invaluable for anticipating withdrawals and adapting designs accordingly.
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The role of the component plays a significant part, but in general, during the board design stage, it’s beneficial to consider using a common IC package and pin arrangement. This approach reduces the risk of having to redesign and remanufacture the board from scratch. Instead, you can simply solder an alternative component with a compatible footprint, saving time and resources.
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