Chip Hold Defined?

[Zengineer]

I've been in automotive design, development and engineering for well over 3 decades. When topics about my particular aspect of cars and trucks comes up online it's frustrating and/or amusing to watch because there are so many misconceptions about the type of parts my employer supplies and so much bad information online. Not only the technology and science of things but the whole world of supply chain, production scheduling and assembly plant operation in general. It's not easy to ignore sometimes but I know it's best if I do.

What I am not...is an electronics guy...at all. Here's the question, and it would be really cool if only people who actually know would post only about things they understand...but I'm not expecting that:

When a truck is delayed for build or sitting waiting for "chips" after it's "built", what exactly does this usually involve. Is it control modules that the suppliers can't get chips for and the truck is missing little black boxes of mysterious electronics or is there some guy out in the holding lot with a bag of tiny chips? Are as many trucks delayed for things that really have nothing to do with chips, such as some basic plastic part that uses a resin that is in short supply? I think I know the answer but because of what I opened this post with I don't want to guess about a topic I don't deal with day in and day out.

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[jeffcrum]

Let me be the first to reply as you indicated should not reply.

I love and agree with your post!

 

[Zengineer]

Let me be the first to reply as you indicated should not reply.

I love and agree with your post!

We both know what we don't know I suppose.

 

[tbinmd]

It’s the modules. The modules all have surface mounted chips, so that’s something you are not going to just slap in at a parking lot. Plugging in a completed module that has already been tested by a supplier is really what is happening.

 

[hotrodmex]

it would be really cool if only people who actually know would post only about things they understand

You'll get the best answer from BlueOvalForums, a general $F forum run by an employee.

But from what I can remember reading from there already, it can be anything. Wiper motors was something it was used for around March/April, for example.

 

[Mtnman1]

Modules, pc boards, etc are waiting on chip to build. When pc boards are built, all components must be present. So a chip shortage stops the build.

We make control systems. Controllers, comminication boards, I/O modules slide into a rack. We cannot build these modules partially. All the pieces parts needs to be build.

With todays technology, especially surface mount technology, chips are not added after the fact. Machines build these, so all componants must be present. 1 chip or component out of 500 missing will prevent the module from being built.

So the short answer is no, no one has a bag of chips at ford walking around soldering these to circuit boards. They get the completed item, module, what have you, from the vendor, and mount it where it goes and plugs in the wires from the harness.

 

[kevdog0710]

Here is an email I just received

 

[Graygoose2021]

we see same delays in my line of work. not much you can do....

 

[Zengineer]

Here is an email I just received

Knowing what I know about Ford and being a gobal supplier to the industry, that's actually a pretty honest response from Ford. It's never as straight forward as it looks on the surface when people see other trucks that they view as "the same" showing up faster than their special order. And don't discount the impact of an individual dealership's allocation levels and ability to drive priority status.

The last 2-3 years have brought all kinds of chemical, plastic resin, metals, fiberglass supply chain disruptions and many originated because of weather, labor shortages, inflation related market forces and more. When the auto industry basically shut down for weeks or months in 2020 they also stopped buying parts. You don't turn that machine "back on as fast as you shut it off", especially during a period where staying home on the couch paid so well.

 

[kevdog0710]

we see same delays in my line of work. not much you can do....

The email preceeding this response asked how the numerous dates I have had get generated. I understand the issues, I dont understand the poor communication and the ETA'S that never hold

 

[Mtnman1]

The email preceeding this response asked how the numerous dates I have had get generated. I understand the issues, I dont understand the poor communication and the ETA'S that never hold

ETA....ESTIMATED. TIME.

Whats not to understand? Ford gets date from vendor, they use that in their planning.

Part doesnt show, or vendor updates their delivery. Ford reschedules.

Pretty black and white.

 

[kevdog0710]

ETA....ESTIMATED. TIME.

Whats not to understand? Ford gets date from vendor, they use that in their planning.

Part doesnt show, or vendor updates their delivery. Ford reschedules.

Pretty black and white.

Thanks for the clarification and explanation of what ETA means, very helpful

 

[Zengineer]

I I am a vendor to Ford, which my employer is, there is a certain lead time we require to make parts and a certain number of days or weeks they want the parts on site before the planned use. If a Ford wants parts 2 weeks before use a vendor may respond that they can't do 2 weeks but can have them there 3 days before use. Depending on dozens of variables, Ford may go ahead with their plan.

But things happen...equipment breaks, raw materials are delayed, shipping isn't available, quality issues happen, workers get COVID or quit...and now 3 days early is 2 days late. Ford has no choice but to reschedule. Nobody wants to sit on months of inventory and it's a dance we all perform daily.

 

[MJ Heat]

ETA....ESTIMATED. TIME.

Whats not to understand? Ford gets date from vendor, they use that in their planning.

Part doesnt show, or vendor updates their delivery. Ford reschedules.

Pretty black and white.

Delays in production due to parts unavailability and/or shipping delays due to issues in the transportation industry may very likely be outside of Ford's control. Communicating with Customers about these types of delays is not outside of Ford's control. In spite of this, Ford steadfastly refuses to provide any information on delays to Customers. That is, & has long been, my primary complaint with the delays related to the vehicle that I ordered from Ford.

In my case, the can has been repetitively kicked down the road 2 weeks at a time, for about 3 months. There can be no doubt that I would still be upset with the ongoing delays, but not nearly as angry about it as I am, if Ford would just go ahead & tell me what is causing my delay & give me a worse case date, rather than yet another false projected date, that the person on the phone telling me knows is not logistically viable (For example - Ford will tell you that your truck has a projected delivery date 2 days later half way across the country, when it still hasn't left the plant). The "This is all it shows in the system at this time & I am allowed to share" vibe really ticks me off!

 

[Mtnman1]

Delays in production due to parts unavailability and/or shipping delays due to issues in the transportation industry may very likely be outside of Ford's control. Communicating with Customers about these types of delays is not outside of Ford's control. In spite of this, Ford steadfastly refuses to provide any information on delays to Customers. That is, & has long been, my primary complaint with the delays related to the vehicle that I ordered from Ford.

In my case, the can has been repetitively kicked down the road 2 weeks at a time, for about 3 months. There can be no doubt that I would still be upset with the ongoing delays, but not nearly as angry about it as I am, if Ford would just go ahead & tell me what is causing my delay & give me a worse case date, rather than yet another false projected date, that the person on the phone telling me knows is not logistically viable (For example - Ford will tell you that your truck has a projected delivery date 2 days later half way across the country, when it still hasn't left the plant). The "This is all it shows in the system at this time & I am allowed to share" vibe really ticks me off!

What do you need to know? Theres delays. Do you want an email everyday stating this? We get updated if there is a change to schedule.

As far as shipping, Ford needs updates from shipper to give to you. I highly doubt Ford tracks tens of thousands of shipments on a daily basis. You are better off tracking through shipper.

You are expecting software from dozens of shippers to update Fords software automatically every hour. Not very realistic.

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