5.1 Receiving & Identification

The receiving dock is the control point where raw materials first gain their manufacturing identity. Every reel, tray, paste jar, and PCB passes through this gateway, where condition is verified, data captured, and risks screened before entering controlled storage. Done with discipline, receiving not only prevents hidden defects from slipping downstream but also establishes the traceability backbone that later quality checks depend on. It is the moment when supplier packaging becomes factory-certified inventory, ready for predictable and stable use.

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

Consistent logging, labeling, and fast quarantine ensure materials enter the system clean, verified, and risk-managed. Following this discipline secures traceability, protects sensitive parts, and keeps the production floor stable and interruption-free.