Apple has taken a unique approach to enhance the quality of its iPhone production and reduce material wastage. The company has introduced QR codes that are etched onto each iPhone screen, allowing for close monitoring and assessment of screen quality from its suppliers, Lens Technology and Biel Crystal.
The results have been significant, with material wastage dropping from 30% to just 10%, resulting in substantial cost savings.
To implement this innovative system, Apple has invested in a barcode initiative specifically for iPhone screens. Two barcodes are placed on each screen, one located on the inner edge of the bezel, and another, tiny one measuring just 0.2mm, placed at a different location.
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This strategic move has significantly reduced screen defects, down from 30% to 10%, which has not only resulted in cost savings but also allowed Apple to exert greater control over production quality. This, in turn, prevents suppliers from charging for screens that aren’t genuinely faulty.
Initially, Apple faced challenges with attaching QR codes to iPhone screens, as it weakened the displays and caused cracks during drop tests near the code location. However, Apple’s commitment to innovation led to solutions. They developed new scanning methods and employed microscopic lenses to prevent excessively deep etching in the glass.
These QR codes on iPhone screens serve specific purposes. The smaller QR code is used to investigate screens reported as faulty, while the larger one is designed to identify genuinely faulty displays.
It can also specify the supplier and potentially narrow down to specific production batches. This technological advancement not only improves production quality but also significantly reduces waste, underlining Apple’s dedication to maintaining stringent quality control.
It’s important to note that both of Apple’s display suppliers, Lens Technology and Biel Crystal, have faced allegations related to forced labor. These allegations have also been directed at Apple for not adequately addressing these concerns. Nevertheless, Apple continues to monitor these suppliers and their manufacturing practices closely.
In terms of Apple’s 15 series devices, they have encountered issues such as overheating and complications with USB-C cables.
These devices utilize advanced 3nm chipsets, with the Apple A17 Pro being the first to incorporate this technology. However, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts weak demand for this technology in the coming year, which has led Apple to reduce orders for 3nm chips.
This combination of innovative quality control measures and challenges in adopting cutting-edge technology showcases Apple’s ongoing efforts to provide high-quality products while navigating the complex landscape of global supply chains.
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