Tekmos' Blog

The temperature forcing probe is a washing machine sized box with an adjustable arm extending from it. At the end of the arm is a small test chamber. The machine can generate a temperature controlled stream of air, with temperatures ranging from -65ºC up to 185ºC. The test chamber is placed over the part, and the air is used to either heat or cool the part. Then we can measure the parts performance at a given temperature. And it has an auxiliary thermocouple that can be placed on the part to precisely control the actual part temperature.

We do this for several reasons. When a new part comes out, we characterize its performance over the intended temperature range. Not only does this confirm the correct operation of the part, it also provides feedback for our design models. We also use the probe when we need to test production parts at temperature and do not have a temperature handler capable of working with a specific package. And finally, we use the probe for failure analysis when a customer reports a problem at a specific temperature.

One issue with the probe is that it will also heat the tester that holds the part. We have learned that the best solution is to use a small extender cable so that the part under test is not directly on the tester. In those cases, where the part must be on the tester, we use sheets of thermal rubber as a top insulator, and then put multiple layers of cardboard under that to protect the tester from overheating. We tried ceramic tiles at one point for the underlying insulation, under the belief that if they worked for the space shuttle, then they would work for us as well. But they did not work as well as the cardboard, and so that is what we use.

The temperature forcing probe is a strong asset allowing us to provide a superior product for our customers.

In life, there is constant, ongoing challenge. These challenges can take many forms. We see examples of this in nature, with the frenetic competitive energy of an ecosystem, bubbling with all forms of life in constant struggle. Or we can find examples in the daily lives of ordinary people, tasking themselves with reasons to strive. For some, these tasks may be to simply work to provide for basic needs. For others, they may find the challenges of life filled with personal objectives, such as improving oneself with knowledge, or pushing themselves to improve a specific physical ability. Whatever the challenge or goal is, there seems to be one constant to make that goal a reality. That is the drive and determination to stay on a task, to see the objective before you, and to move toward that objective with fierce determination. However lowly or lofty the goal, and whether rushing forward or stumbling and plodding, the march must not stop. It is the persistence itself which often wins the day. And as Jim Rohn points out so simply, discipline is the glue that pulls the goal together with the achievement.

A business is no different, or any system within that business. To set the goal, then to make the goal real can only be done with the discipline of effort. When a process is evaluated, what is truly being observed, what is truly being measured, is the simple day to day discipline needed to reach the goal of that process. At Tekmos, we recently went through our BSI Quality surveillance assessment, to verify that our Quality Management System was functioning as represented. We found that indeed, our processes and procedures were functioning as they should. But the real achievement was the opportunity to see that the discipline, the bridge if you will, was in place and moving toward our goals. Our goals are customer driven. And it is good to see that at Tekmos, we have a sturdy, though well-traveled bridge, to bring our customers goals to full achievement.

Tekmos make replacements for mature microprocessors. With the acquisition of Atmel, and we are seeing an increased demand for processors in the 40 pin DIP package. Whereas in the past, we have been dealing with small 100 piece orders, we are now faced with orders of up to 40,000. We had been manually testing the parts, but with the new, larger orders, we needed an automatic handler for testing.

40-pin DIP packages are a very old package design, dating from back in the 70's. They are not very popular, and are not supported by modern handlers. So our only choice was to go to the second hand market, and hope for the best.

In this case, we found a high volume, tri-temperature, 600-mil DIP handler. There are a number of 600 mil DIP packages, including the 40-pin package. We bid on the auction, and won. The handler was in Germany, and so we had to have it shipped back to America.

As you can see in the pictures, it is strange looking machine, but in excellent shape. It did take us a little while to bring it up. The on-board diagnostics were all in German, which none of us speak. Fortunately, the Google translate app in our phones came to the rescue, and allowed us to communicate with the handler. Our only problem was that it tended to throw empty part tubes around. After a few adjustments, the tubes wound up in the correct holding bin, and we have had no other problems.

As children, many people seem to have trouble eating their vegetables. I can still remember my own grandmother's disapproving look, as basically everything but the vegetables disappeared from my plate. Of course I would then make a valiant attempt at dessert, as my grandmother's cobbler, pie or chocolate anything was truly the stuff of legend. But she would have none of it. It was back to the vegetables for me, with dramatic slow, choking swallows, while simulating my best near death experience. In time, to her credit, creativity came to play a role. It was probably the peas, floating in gravy, nestled seductively in a puddle on top of my mash potatoes that started the change. "Ducks in a pond", she called it. Ok, so they weren't ducks, and it was not a pond. But the peas went down quickly, and the whole thing tasted pretty darn good. In time the green beans, carrots and honestly just about anything became fair game. I guess I can blame my grandmother, as today there doesn't seem to be anything that could possibly land on my plate that will not be eaten with great enjoyment. Maybe too much so, if the truth was told.

Doing something that may seem to be a problem, to have an eventual better overall outcome, is not just a technique for grandmothers. The rules of an organization, or laws of a land can also be viewed through such a lens. In Europe, for example, the large number of chemical substances being manufactured, and the unknown effect on human health and the environment became a concern. Regulations were created, such a Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals  (REACH), to register, evaluate, authorize and possibly restrict certain harmful chemical substances. Or the Restriction of Hazardous Waste in Electrical & Electronic Equipment (RoHS) directive, where components are tested for specific substances, such as Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Dc), Mercury (Hg) as well as a list of other materials to verify there is less than 0.01% of that substance by weight. While these regulations do require more work and verification, they also truly do help protect the environment and human health.

At Tekmos, we take these directives seriously. We take the extra effort needed to help ensure that potentially harmful substances are controlled throughout our industry and in our business practices. Tekmos REACH and RoHS Compliance Statements have been created, and are easy to view and download from our website. We view compliance with these directives as our responsibility and obligation, to our business partners, our employees, and all others who use and depend on the products we make. At Tekmos we take the effort to make our world a little safer. Oh, and we also don't mind eating our vegetables when the time comes either.

Well, the New Year is fast approaching. To me, this is always an exciting and somewhat magical time. It gives us the opportunity to take a pause, look at things, and maybe be a little more honest about those changes we seem to have put off throughout the year behind us. Everyone has their own list. Of course we all want to lose a little more weight. We should stop procrastinating whatever that thing that needs to be done in the garage is. And we should probably be a little nicer to whichever aunt, uncle or obnoxious cousin it is that you have been avoiding all year until the holidays.

We are all guilty of those lists, and they are always good for a chuckle. But around Tekmos, we are taking those lists a little more seriously this time of year. Our quality system actually demands it. In that light, we are pleased to announce that Tekmos has gone through the auditing process, passed, and received our updated BSI ISO 9001 and 14001 certificates.

Around here, we don't just make resolutions, we actually put them in writing. And if I do say so myself, we do a pretty good job of making those goals happen. That is what our customers expect, and what we expect to do for our customers. Of course we are going to be a little nicer to crazy Uncle Joe. And I really am going to lose that weight next year. But even if that doesn't happen, it is nice to know that you can come by Tekmos, and see that some resolutions really are set in stone. That is always a good comfort this time of year, for our customers, and also for our-selves as well.