To: Apex Microtechnology Customers
Date: April 13, 2015
Subject: Date Code Policy
Apex receives inquiries regarding our date code policy and or request for quote/orders with limitations as to the age of the devices for sale. Apex’s position is to discourage date code restrictions when ordering devices from Apex or our authorized distributors. In general date code restrictions unnecessarily delay order entry and order fulfillment processes, with no reliability or quality rationale to the typical one-year request.
Over the years, and throughout the industry, process improvements by component suppliers and manufacturers have eliminated the causes of failure mechanisms relating to component aging concerns through advances made in the engineering, design, qualification, manufacturing, packaging, and handling and storage of the devices. Apex Microtechnology is a DLA certified and qualified QML-MIL-PRF-38534 facility since 1989, and a QML listing as of May 31, 1990. Prior to 1995 the military standard, MIL-PRF-38535 required military products be retested if not used within a three year period, these requirement have since been revised to remove date code restrictions all together.
Apex’s position:
In summary, Apex’s position is that there’s no reliability or quality rationale for date code limitations e.g., < 18 months, < 2 years, < 5 years, etc. We anticipate a small volume of shipments aged 2 – 5 years, there is no change in the Apex warranty, and we are able to offer a greater supply available for sale, without seeing any downside in quality and or reliability. All product shipped by Apex is guaranteed to meet published datasheet specifications and solderability requirements. In conclusion, it is Apex’s position and intent to service our customers with the best possible quality, reliability, and product availability in the industry.