Fox Electronics has new innovation

Fort Myers-based Fox Electronics has developed an innovative new system of assigning identification numbers to the components used to manufacture cell phones, MP3 players and other electronic devices. The system is similar to the production identification numbers consumers are accustomed to in products like cell phones, but Fox Electronics is the first frequency control manufacturer in the world to use the system at component level in the components used to build those end products.

The Serial Identification (serial ID) system ultimately improves the quality of the products and lowers the price for consumers. Fox Electronics designed the serial ID for its XpressOä oscillator series, but plans to begin using serial ID in other oscillators in the future.

The unique serial ID is assigned and embedded inside each oscillator, which then enables Fox Electronics to quickly and accurately trace any product back to its original manufacturing process, including raw materials used, date of manufacture, electrical testing performed and equipment used to manufacture the specific part. If a component fails, it is sent to any one of Fox's convenient worldwide locations, where its lot identification and serial number are obtained and immediately provided to the customer.

Serial ID enables Fox Electronics to enhance quality control and respond more quickly to any quality concerns, which ultimately makes the products less expensive for consumers.