Foxconn adds X-ray inspections to reduce defects in Apple products
Citing a source with first-hand knowledge of the changes, CNet reported on Monday that Foxconn's inline X-ray inspection systems have begun to appear at its plants in China. The machines are said to rely on software algorithms to quickly inspect solder joints or printed circuit boards at speeds that allow the production line to continue moving quickly.
The new equipment could not only allow Foxconn to improve efficiency and cut down on errors, it could also allow the manufacturing company to reduce rising labor costs. In the face of rising criticism, the company announced last month that it had raised the wages of its workers by as much as 25 percent.
But the source who revealed Foxconn's investment in X-ray machines also suggested there could be "quality issues" on the company's production line that may have prompted the purchase. It was said the machines are being bought in "unprecedented quantities."
Foxconn remains the primary assembler of devices for Apple, and Apple continues to see tremendous year-over-year growth for its popular products like the iPhone and iPad. For example, last quarter Apple saw its iPhone sales grow by 128 percent, while iPad sales grew 111 percent from the same period a year prior.
Foxconn workers file down the Apple logo on an iPad component. | Credit: Almin Karamehmedovic/ABC News.
An inside look at Foxconn conducted last month by ABC's Nightline showed that the iPhone is basically handmade by Chinese workers on the company's assembly lines. There are a total of 141 separate steps that go into the production of Apple's smartphone.
21 Comments
Right now someone is trying to spin this article to state that Apple is forcing Foxconn to x-ray all their employees daily make sure they aren't stealing.
Nothing like hiring less ppl with a high dose of radiation. j/k. Hope they put in the proper worker protection this time.
Right now someone is trying to spin this article to state that Apple is forcing Foxconn to x-ray all their employees daily make sure they aren't stealing.
Or that the workers will now be dying off in droves because of radiation.
Ah, and as I look below this as I type?
The biggest news is going to be from people wanting to work, protesting outside that machines are taking jobs.
Just wait to hear the freakin unroar when people aren't even earning per day
Remember back in the day when you had those tags baby pinned to your just purchased dress shirt or found in the pocket of your just bought blue jeans that stated "Inspected by #12" or some such number...
Now we have new tags for our Apple iPads/iPods/iPhones, "Inspected by R2D2CP3O!"
Meet yur new Inspectors...
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