Quality Systems

Our commitment to quality is attested to by our registration to the AS9100D:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standard through the British Standards Institution. Our registration number is FM 661927.

 

Review of Customer Requirements
The Quality department is responsible for reviewing all purchase orders, customer specifications, drawings and other customer documents in order to assure compliance with all specified requirements. Detailed production travelers reflecting these requirements are generated, reviewed and approved prior to manufacture. A final review of each purchase order is performed prior to each product shipment.


Supplier Control
Suppliers are selected based upon successful completion of a product qualification activity and a review of the suppliers’ quality and process control systems. Production is monitored using critical node in-line data provided by the suppliers on a routine basis. In addition to on-site audits, incoming electrical, mechanical and visual inspections further guarantee product compliance.

 

Customer Issues
Holt is committed to the fastest possible resolution of our customers’ problems. Prompt determination of the root cause utilizing internal resources or outside analytical services is the first step. In parallel, immediate product containment may be required to insure similar problem products are not shipped to our customers. Short-term actions such as additional electrical or reliability screening may be appropriate so as not to ”shut down” our customers while a permanent solution is implemented. At all times prompt, open communications with our customers is maintained.


Audits
Internal audits are performed using the guidelines of AS9100D:2016 and MIL-PRF-38535, Appendix A. This self-audit program, under the direction of the quality organization, assesses the effectiveness as well as the compliance to all the applicable specifications. A formal corrective action system is employed for any discrepancies noted.

External audits of our suppliers are performed during initial qualification and periodically thereafter using both supplier surveys and on-site audits. Again the corrective action system is used for any discrepancies noted.


Product Traceability
With Holt standard marking, product traceability is maintained from the initial silicon wafer fabrication lot, as well as specific assembly and test lots. Lot histories are archived for a minimum of 5 years.


Corrective Action Program
A formal corrective action procedure is used for internal, supplier, or customer identified non-conformances. The major components of this procedure are: identification, containment, root cause identification, corrective action, and effectiveness of action taken.


Training and Certification
Training and Certification procedures are documented and in accordance with MIL-PRF-38535. Certified operators who are re-certified on a routine basis perform all critical operations and inspections.


Packaging and Shipping
All products are shipped in ESD protected containers. Plastic PLCC, QFP and TQFP packages over 20 leads are baked and then dry packed in vacuum-sealed ESD bags.


Calibration
A Calibration System in accordance with ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 is used to control the accuracy of all measuring and test equipment.


Non-Conforming Product
The Manager of Quality Assurance manages the disposition of all non-conforming material. Both containment and corrective actions may be initiated to immediately prevent any non-conforming products from shipping to our customers and to identify and eliminate the cause of the non-conformance. When necessary Quality Assurance will suspend processing until acceptable results are achieved.


Quality Records
All quality records are archived for a minimum of 5 years.


Reliability Monitor Program
High Temperature Operating Life testing (both ceramic and plastic packages) and Group D package reliability tests (selected ceramic packages) are performed at regular intervals on samples representing each of Holt’s standard product families.


Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
Circuit safety at Holt begins with the design. Holt’s standard I/O pin is designed to withstand a minimum of 2000V when tested to MIL-STD-883C, Method 3015. However in ”ESD Hostile” environments such as dry atmospheric conditions, it is possible to damage almost any CMOS device. Therefore, proper ESD handling precautions should be employed at all times.

The following precautions are employed by Holt to control ESD. They are recommended as a guideline for the minimum requirements of a customer’s ESD prevention program.

  1. All devices are transported in carriers made of conductive or anti-static materials.
  2. All work surfaces, floors and operators are grounded through approximately 1 Mohm resistance to control static build-up.
  3. Anti-static smocks worn by all operators.
  4. Humidity controlled to a minimum of 30%.
  5. All equipment grounded.