🚀 go-pugleaf

I heard a while back that some manufacturers actually put a resin in their
PCB's that drys out over the course of a year or two and shrinks, breaking
the tracks on the PCB.

Don't know if it's true but I really wouldn't be surprised...

-Rob


in article 3C6C2D52.52281755@hotmail.com, Heath Young at
heathryoung@hotmail.com wrote on 15/2/02 8:34 AM:

> Looks like you have made a fairly accurate picture here.
> Let me add a few more...
> 
> 14) Fit fast blow fuses inside sealed double insulated appliances that will
> fail from metal fatigue (why did they do this??? - it was sealed with
> heatshrink onto one of the wires?!)
> 
> 15) Make items as a collection of modules - example. Optics train in certain
> models of projectors - instead of replacing just a hot mirror ($15 or so)
> you have to replace the lot! (All optics and LCD screen etc as a module)
> Now, try getting the poor serviceman to explain why the projector that cost
> the customer $5000 costs $3000 to fix.
> 
> Cheers
> Heath Young
> 
> 
> 
> Alan Liefting wrote:
> 
>> 1. Place metal shields around the power supplies without holes for air
>> circulation.  This will ensure power supply capacitors will dry out and
>> make the power supply fail prematurely.
>> 2. Do not bother with putting thermal conducting paste between heat sink
>> and transistor.
>> 3. Do not bother to solder the heavy components or joints subject to
>> thermal cycling.
>> 4. Make your spare parts very expensive or do not bother with having
>> spare parts available.
>> 5. The following components can be left out during manufacture:
>> protection zener diodes, VDR's, spark gaps,  decoupling capacitors,
>> ferrite beads etc.
>> 6. Buy the cheapest components from manufacturers who cannot guarantee
>> the longevity of their product.  It is easy to have a CRT fail within
>> three years by using impure materials.  This will make the cathodes
>> oxide and reduce the emissions giving a dull, hard to read picture.
>> 7. Fit the so-called head cleaning device to VCR's.  This will ensure
>> numerous service calls increasing the customer frustration which will
>> lead them to buy a new product.
>> 8. Make sure that the videotape is laced around the your head during
>> fast forward and re-wind mode on a VCR.  This will maximise video head
>> wear and tear.
>> 9. Dispense with EMI/RFI components in the power supplies.  As well as
>> producing unacceptable interference this will also mean that the power
>> supply is more prone to damage from voltage spikes.
>> 10. Use the softer plastics rather than the more wear resistant bakelite
>> for kettles and toasters.  This will guarantee the consumer will
>> purchase a new product to replace the shabby appliance.
>> 11. Do not use spot welding on your toaster elements.  Spot welding
>> makes a reliable connection.  Crimped connections will fail within a
>> short period.  This is good (for the manufacturer) since spare parts are
>> not available.  The consumer will have to buy a new product.
>> 12. Use the cheaper carbon film resistors instead of the more reliable
>> metal film resistor with better voltage ratings.
>> 13. It is best to use a design style which will rapidly look dated.
>> This is another ploy in order to have the consumer purchase the latest
>> style regardless of whether the item is working or not.
>> 
>> The next lesson is how to reduce your number of service agencies and how
>> to reduce the number of products the service agencies will repair for
>> you.  This will increase the sale of new products by frustrating the
>> consumers efforts in order to have their item repaired.
>> 
>> Alan (tongue firmly in cheek) Liefting
>> Registered Electronics Service Technician
>> 
>> 78 Flockton Street
>> St Albans
>> Christchurch
>> New Zealand
>