5.1 Receiving & Identification

Log PN/lot/MSL/expiry, verify packs, label uniquely, and quarantine doubts fast.

A calm production line starts at the dock, where parts first meet the factory’s memory. Here the aim is simple: every reel, tray, paste jar, and bare PCB (printed circuit board) enters with its identity confirmed, condition visible, and risks understood so traceability has a firm first link. A few core acronyms set the scene: MSD (moisture-sensitive device) with its MSL (moisture sensitivity level), MBB (moisture barrier bag) with a HIC (humidity indicator card), and a UID (unique identifier) tied into MES/ERP (manufacturing/enterprise systems). The emphasis is on guarding moisture clocks, cold-chain materials, and revision control before anything touches a feeder or bench. Done consistently, receiving becomes a gate of evidence—turning supplier boxes into uniquely labeled, storage-ready assets that keep the build quiet and predictable.

5.1.1 Purpose & scope

Get every inbound item—from reels and trays to solder paste and bare PCBs—into the system cleanly: identity confirmed, condition checked, risks flagged, and storage-ready. This is the first link in traceability; do it right and the line runs calm.

5.1.2 The receiving rhythm (step-by-step)

Stage safely. Use an ESD-safe bench and carts (see 5.3). Don’t cut near Moisture Barrier Bags (MBBs).
Visual check (outer). Carton intact, no water marks, no crushed corners. If damaged, photo + quarantine (5.1.6).
Unpack to the item level. Handle reels/trays/tubes/paste jars gently; keep anti-static wraps on.
Label read & compare. Match PO → PN → description → revision; check quantity & unit (REEL/TRAY/TUBE/EA).
Record the essentials into MES/ERP:
- PN (internal), supplier PN, description
- Lot/Date code (e.g., YYWW), qty, UoM
- MSL (if present), expiry (paste/flux/adhesives), finish for PCBs (e.g., ENIG/OSP)
- Supplier, COC# if provided
- Initial state = SEALED (unless bag already open)
Integrity check (item).
- For MSDs: MBB present, seal straight, no punctures, HIC & desiccant visible (do not open here; opening lives in 5.4).
- For paste/flux: jar/cartridge intact, storage temp label readable, expiry in future.
- For PCBs: vacuum wrap intact, no corner dings, correct rev/finish.
Assign a unique ID (UID). Print an internal 2D label (DataMatrix/QR) that ties the physical item to the MES record.
Place labels correctly. Outer carton + immediate container (reel hub or tray corner). Never cover supplier labels, MSL triangles, or HIC windows.
Put-away. Route by type: MSDs → dry cabinet (5.2), paste/flux → cold chain (5.5), others → ESD racking.
Exceptions → quarantine. Anything unclear or damaged is NG-QUAR with a ticket (5.1.6).

5.1.3 What the UID label says (and where it goes)

Fields (human-readable + 2D code):

UID (system-generated)
PN / Description / Rev
Lot/Date code
Qty & UoM (e.g., 5,000 EA / REEL)
MSL (if applicable) & Initial State = SEALED / OPEN / DRY-PACK (RESET) / QUARANTINE
Expiry (for chemistries)
Received date, operator, site/warehouse bin

Placement guide:

Reels: On the hub face, edge-aligned; readable through feeder bank windows.
Trays/Tubes: Top-right corner, not blocking cavities or latch.
MBBs: Above the seal, never over the seam or the HIC window.
Paste/Flux: On the sidewall, not the lid; leaves room for thaw/mix stickers (5.5).
Cartons: One face + one adjacent face for easy scanning on the rack.

5.1.4 Data you must capture (by material type)

Material	Must capture	Why
MSD components (ICs, BGAs, QFNs, etc.)	PN, lot/date, MSL, pack state, qty/UoM, supplier, COC#, finish if noted	Drives moisture clock and storage (5.4, 5.2)
Non-MSD SMT passives	PN, lot/date, qty/UoM, supplier	Traceability & quality trends
THT parts (axial/radial, DIPs, power)	PN, lot/date, lead form, qty/UoM	Hole fit and wave/selective planning
PCBs (bare)	PN, rev, finish, lot/date, bow/warp check, qty	Solderability expectations & fit
Solder paste/flux	PN, lot, expiry, storage temp, qty/UoM	Cold chain & print readiness (5.5)
Adhesives/coatings/cleaners	PN, lot, expiry, storage temp	Process stability & safety
Mechanicals (fasteners, shields)	PN, lot/date, plating/grade, qty	Torque & corrosion expectations
Cables/harness subs	PN, lot/date, test cert if any	Box build readiness

5.1.5 Status states (what the system should say)

SEALED — Factory pack intact; moisture clock not started.
OPEN — Pack opened; moisture floor life running (5.4).
DRY-PACK (RESET) — Resealed after qualified bake; timer reset (5.4).
QUARANTINE — Hold for review/MRB; do not issue.
SCRAP — Not for use; dispositioned in MRB.

These states sync to labels so operators don’t guess.

5.1.6 Quarantine (what earns a red tag)

Quarantine immediately if you see: crushed cartons, torn MBBs, missing HIC/desiccant, wrong revision/finish, expired paste/flux, mixed lots in one reel, wrong quantity vs PO, or counterfeit red flags (spelling errors, odd fonts, over-stickers—see 6.5).

Action: photo → ticket → segregated shelf/bin → supplier/quality notified. Nothing leaves quarantine without MRB disposition.

5.1.7 Acceptance cues (fast table)

Area	Accept	Reject
Identity	PN/rev match PO; labels legible	PN mismatch; unknown rev
Condition	Carton and inner packs clean/intact	Crushed, wet, punctured, seal wrinkled
MSD packs	MBB sealed; HIC & desiccant visible	Torn MBB; no HIC/desiccant
Chemistries	Expiry in future; storage temp stated	Expired; missing temp; swollen/leaking
PCB lots	Correct finish/rev; wrap intact	Wrong finish; corner damage
System	UID printed; MES shows SEALED	Handwritten only; no MES entry

5.1.8 Common traps → smallest reliable fix

Trap	Symptom	Fix
Covering supplier data with UID	Can’t read MSL/lot later	Place UID beside, not over, supplier labels
Opening MBB “just to check”	Moisture clock starts early	Don’t open at receiving; visual through bag
Cutting near seals	Micro-tears, slow moisture ingress	Cut away from seams; use safe knives
Mixed lots in one bin	Traceability broken	Separate UIDs by lot; re-bin with labels
No photos on damage	Supplier dispute stalls	Photo all six sides + close-ups before move
Paste to room temp	Cold chain broken	Move immediately to fridge (5.5)

5.1.9 Pocket checklists

At the dock

Carton intact? If no → photo + quarantine
PN/rev/qty match PO; unit correct (REEL/TRAY/TUBE/EA)
Read labels; record lot/date, MSL, expiry (if any)
Integrity: MBB sealed with HIC + desiccant; jars intact

System & labels

MES/ERP record complete; state = SEALED
UID label printed and placed without covering supplier info
Put-away location assigned (dry cabinet / fridge / ESD shelf)

Quarantine triggers

Damage, wrong rev/finish, expired chemistries, torn MBB, missing HIC/desiccant, odd/counterfeit signs

Bottom line: receive with eyes and evidence, record the right fields once, label with a unique ID, and quarantine doubts fast. That’s how you protect traceability, keep moisture clocks honest, and set the line up for boringly good days.