Quality Statement:

"To do right for our customers, our community, our owners… We at Matric are committed to continual quality improvement in everything we do, dedicating ourselves to meeting the needs of those relying on us."

Quality Policy:

"Matric is committed to providing safe, effective products and services to the electronic control and computer industries that meet all known customer performance and reliability requirements. The Matric quality management system is dedicated to using defined techniques and behaviors to continually reduce variation in process and products - satisfying requirements of both internal and external customers.

We strive to prevent defects by focusing on processes ultimately resulting in better product quality at reduced cost. These results are realized through the effective use of our greatest resource, our people, who are responsible and accountable for the quality of their work.

Matric associates are committed to rapid organizational response, providing our customers with the fastest concept-to-commercialization time in the electronics industry.

Matric will maintain an environment that fosters continual quality improvement in all areas of its operations."

Matric Quality Policy Manual [ 475kb pdf]

Certified Quality Systems
Certified to ISO 9001:2000 since October 2, 2002. Registered with Bureau Veritas Certification - Certificate number 164258 - Initially registered to ISO 9001 on September 30, 1996.

    
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Certified by SIRA - Quality system complies with Directive 94/9/EC, Annexes IV and VII - Authorizes manufacture of equipment or protective systems components intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Notification number EECS ATEX 3459

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IECEx Quality Assessment Report

Visual Inspection
Production and inspection personnel have vision tests performed biannually to verify visual acuity.

Visual inspection is performed by production operators and inspection personnel using the designated workmanship standards. Visual inspection may be with magnification (using equipment such as the Vision VS7) or with the naked eye.

An Ersascope is used for visual inspection of BGA and SMT solder connections.

X-Ray Inspection
X-Ray inspection can be performed to provide a non-destructive, fast and thorough examination of the solder joints and electronic components on a printed circuit board.

The x-ray machine can view samples from angles 0 to 70 degrees, with 360 degree rotation. It has built-in modules to perform BGA, QFN, QFP and through-hole solder joint analysis.

It can inspect with magnifications up to 23,320 times. At these magnifications, even the smallest defects in a product are readily visible, including those that are normally hidden beneath other components. Defects such as internal cracks, delamination, inclusion , improper mechanical fit or excessive porosity are easily visualize without damaging the product, so that it might be repaired instead of simply sliced up and discarded.

MDA Testing
A flying prober is available to test both SMT and through-hole assembled printed circuit boards for manufacturing defects. Being a fixtureless test machine, the flying prober avoids the high cost of bed of nails fixtures; it is ideal for contacting leads of fine pitch SMT components.

Test programs for most printed circuit board assemblies can be developed from CAD data in about a day. Interfaces are available for most common CAD packages.

The flying prober is equipped with optional features to detect open solder joints on most digital ICs.

The flying prober also has a vision option, which permits a visual examination of components that cannot be electrically verified, such as bypass capacitors or capacitor polarity.

Functional Testing

• Trained electronic technicians use standard electronic instruments to bench test and troubleshoot electronic assemblies in accordance with written test procedures.
• Where justified by production volumes or other requirements, custom and / or computer based functional testers (board level and / or system) are developed to partially automate the functional test.
• Automatic functional testers (ATE) are also available for testing and troubleshooting electronic assemblies.
• Test failures are troubleshot, repaired and retested.
• Test records can be in the customer format, and maintained on file at Matric or provided with each shipment.

Cleanliness Testing

• Where specified, the cleanliness tester is used to verify printed circuit board assemblies are free of surface contaminants.
• Also referred to as "ionic contamination testing".
• Contamination is expressed as a sodium chloride equivalency (micrograms / sq. in.).
• Test methodology is in accordance with IPC-TM-650, 2.3.26.1 (static method).
• Board sizes up to 15" X 20"

Environmental Testing
A temperature chamber is available for temperature soaking or cycling of electronic assemblies, which may be powered or unpowered.

• Capacity: 7 cubic feet chamber
• Range: - 75° C to +175° C
• 2 stage compressor for rapid cooling
• Programmable temperature cycles
• Unit Under Test can be powered and power cycle

Continual Improvement
Management Reviews of Quality System

• Performed quarterly
• Review all metrics

Corrective Action System

• Used to initiate and monitor internal and supplier corrective action.
• Preventive actions used to initiate improvements to prevent defects.

Process Improvement Teams:

• Apply TQM principles to improve manufacturing processes.
• Improve throughput / cycle time.
• Reduce defects and waste.

Associate Suggestions:

• Each associate submits at least 5 opportunities for improvement each year.
• Suggestions prioritized / tracked for effective implementation.

Workmanship Standards
IPC Member since 1993.

Default Workmanship Standards:
IPC-A-610 ACCEPTABILITY OF ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES

IPC-A-620 REQUIREMENTS AND ACCEPTANCE FOR CABLE AND WIRE HARNESS ASSEMBLIES

IPC-J-STD-001 REQUIREMENTS FOR SOLDERED ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLIES

Matric has 3 IPC-certified instructors for each standard.

Experienced in classes 1, 2, 3 covering all categories of electronics products (consumer, industrial, medical, etc.). or Customer-specific Workmanship Standards.

Calibration Systems
All measuring devices and instruments are calibrated:

• Internally using written procedures and traceable standards or
• Externally by an approved, ISO 9002 registered contractor

Quality Training
Hand Soldering Certification Program - Production and Service associates are trained and certified in hand soldering; associates are recertified on a biannual basis (40 hours for through-hole, 24 hours for SMT).


Component Recognition - Production associates are trained to identify electronic components; retrained annually.

Continuous Quality Improvement Training - All new associates undergo training on quality improvement techniques and the basic quality tools (15 hours minimum).

ESD Training - All production and service associates are trained on precautions to prevent component damage from electrostatic discharge; refresher training is conducted annually.

Workmanship Standards Training - Training of visual acceptance criteria for Class 1, 2 & 3 electronic assemblies, including through hole and SMT).

ESD Control

• Associate training
• Conductive floors (paint and carpet) throughout the facility
• Daily humidity monitoring
• Static resistant smocks
• Heel and wrist straps
• ESD work surfaces
• Quarterly audits of the ESD program
• Complies with ANSI / ESD S20.20-2007 ESD Association Standard for the Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for - Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment