Glossary

GLOSSAR

A

AOI

The acronym AOI stands for “Automatic Optic Inspection”. AOI systems are basically robots equipped with an image recording system which detects faults and reports these accordingly. They are used for visual inspection in the production of circuit boards and in the manufacture of electronic components (= printed circuit boards).

API

Programming interface for applications (Application Program Interface). A series of functions or commands for standardization of application interfaces. An API is a computer code used by application program developers. All API-compatible biometric systems can be combined with one another or interchanged. There is often differentiation between Low-Level and High-Level APIs. High-Level APIs are closer to the application whereas Low Level APIs are oriented to device-oriented interfaces.

APQP

Advanced Product Quality Planning (advanced Project Management as described in reference manual on QS-9000)

AQL

Accept Quality Level = Random Sample Method

 

B

B2B

The business relationship between two companies (Business to Business)

Bill of Materials
A complete and formal list of parts specific for the respective purpose of an object and containing all the component parts belonging to it with details of designation, quantity and unit. 

Boundary Scan

Boundary Scan is a method of testing digital and analog modules in electronic systems.

Burn-in

The definition of operating time at which the works power supply runs at increased temperature. In this phase there are relatively greater failure rates but these reduce quite quickly.

Burn-In-Test

Burn-in test (“pre-aging”) of electronic components.

 

C

CAD

CAD is from the English = Computer Aided Design. In other words, this is a kind of “electronic drawing board”.

CE

The CE seal of approval is the confirmation that responsible manufacturers supply the product in conformity with the relevant EU directives and in observance of the specified “essential requirements”.

CIM

Computer Integrated Manufacturing. The aim of Computer Integrated Manufacturing is the avoidance of superfluous administrative and/or planning errors by means of the integration of technical and business data management

CPLD

CPLD is the abbreviation for “Complex Programmable Logic Device”..

CPU

The main processor, in English called “Central Processing Unit” usually abbreviated to CPU, is often generally used to mean only the processor and in some contexts also “Central Unit” is the part of the computer which controls all the other components.

 

D

Debugging

Debugging is bug fixing, in other words, “error correction”

Design Rule Check

Rules for setting up a circuit board

 

E

EMV

EMV or EMC stands for Electromagnetic Compatibility and describes the capacity of an electric installation to function satisfactorily in its electromagnetic environment without any detrimental influence on the surrounding installations.

EPROM

Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. This memory retains the information even in the case of power failure. Deleted with ultra-violet light and reloaded with a PROM-Burner.

ERP

Enterprise Resourc Planning. ERP systems enable corporate resources planning with the aid of target Workflow Management. ERP unites back-office systems such as production, finance, HR, sales and materials management 

ESD

ESD, (electrostatic discharge): Electrostatic discharges endanger electronic components. It is therefore necessary to provide suitable ESD protection to counteract this danger, e.g. through an ESD-protected work station, antistatic tools & packaging, in machines by means of suitable choice of assembly parts, protective elements and with the appropriate EMC circuit technology.

E²MS-Award

The Electronic Engineering and Manufacturing Services Award 2005 – in short, “E²MS Award”, is specifically for production companies in the electronic assemblies sector. It is the most important competition with benchmark character in the electronics industry.

EMS

Electronic Manufacturing Services: the development and manufacture of electronic assemblies and machines according to customer requirements.

 

F

FCC

The Federal Communication Commission is an independent US government commission, reporting directly to the US Congress. It is also the responsible authorizing agency for radios, TVs and computers. It tests appliances in terms of conformity with its own and with other norm standards (e.g. ISA, ISO or ITU).

FED

Professional association for design, production and assembly of circuit boards.

FPGA

A FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is a freely programmable logic circuit.

FR4

FR4 is the material grade designation for flame-resistant glass fiber mats with epoxy resin binder. FR4 is used in electronics and electrical engineering as the base material for circuit boards.

 

G H

HDTV

High Definition TV. The collective term for all high definition television systems. There is no single norm standard, the screen format is always 16:9 but the line count and frame rate are diverse. The original analog HDTV worked with 1080 lines interlaced (fields) and 60 Hz. On the other hand, the digital HDTV adopted in the USA with 1035 lines interlaced, allows additional definition qualities.

 

I

Interface

The English word interface refers to part of a system which serves the exchange of information, energy or material with other systems. An interface is defined by a number of rules, the interface description.

IPC

Institute for Printed Circuits. Now a globally recognized publisher of directives for circuit boards and electronic circuitry.

ISO 14001:1996

List of Requirements for Environment Management Systems

ISO 9001:2000

List of Requirements for Quality Management Systems, basis for the certification of quality management systems

 

J K

Kanban

Kanban (the Japanese word for sign or map) is a method of production process control according to the pull or call-off principle and oriented exclusively to the actual requirements of the respective position in a production process. Self-controlling feedback loops at work-flow level form the core element of flexible production control. It enables sustainable reduction of stocks of specific intermediate products.

 

L

Layer

Layer of a circuit board

LED

Light Emitting Diode. Source of light which uses very little power and has a long service life. Available in red, green or yellow. If LEDs with the colors red, green, blue are used, then video representation is also possible. Such display screens have high light intensity and are therefore used especially in outside areas and stadiums.

 

M

MTBF

MTBF stands for Mean Time Between Failures and is the mean period of time to the first failure. MTBF serves as the measure of reliability of machines or installations

 

N O P

PCB

A Printed Circuit Board, PCB or sometimes called Printed Wiring Board, PWB serves to connect electronic components without the use of conventional cables.

PLC Controller
A memory-programmable control (German SPS, English PLC = Programmable Logic Controlleris an electronic assembly similar to a computer used for control and regulation tasks in automation systems.

Pro ALPHA

ProALPHA is a functional, leading technology ERP complete solution for medium-sized enterprises. The software covers all the requirements in production, logistics and accounting.

 

Q R

REACH

Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 is an EU chemicals regulation that entered into force on June 1, 2007. REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals, registration, evaluation, approval and restriction of chemicals.

 

Refurbishing

Refurbishing is a form of recycling whereby expensive parts can be used again.

RMA

Return of Material Authorization or Return Merchandize Authorization [Amer.] The RMA-Number is given by the supplier in respect of a return of goods. The customer undertakes to request such a number prior to returning the goods so that these can be correctly allocated by the supplier.

Run-In

Test under real conditions

 

S

SMD

SMD Surface Mounted Device is a specialist term in electronic engineering to describe the elements mounted on the surface.

SMT

SMT is the abbreviation for Surface Mounted Technology. The element is soldered directly to the PCB without drill holes, so enabling a closer array and also array on both sides.

Selective Soldering System
The selective soldering system is a soldering process under protective gas atmosphere. The use of nitrogen prevents the adverse properties of oxygen

 

T

THD

Through Hole Device is a wired element.

TÜV

TÜV is the German Technical Standards Control Board which is responsible for the protection of people and of the environment from the dangers of technical machines and equipment of all kinds. It is an independent assessor which inspects installations, vehicles, energy plants and machinery which require monitoring. It controls the observance of standards and norms for services and products. Increasingly more important is the independent testing of IT systems and work procedures in companies as well as monitoring in the service industry.

 

U

UL

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an organization founded in the USA in 1894 for the testing and certification of products and their safety. (Comparable with VDE, Electrical Engineering Association, TÜV, Technical Standards Control Board etc.) The UL symbol can be found on many products, especial in the field of electro-technology. Products exported to the USA often need a classification in conformity with the valid UL regulations and standards.

 

V W X

X-Ray

The X-ray inspection system is used in the analysis of hidden solder points e.g. QFP, BGA, CSP, FC and for process control. Features such as pore formation, wetting, solder amount, short circuit or interruption can also be tested automatically.

 

Y Z µ

µ

The Greek letter µ means micro

µController

µController is the term for a particularly small control or regulating unit.

 

 

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