One of the key factors behind NDK becoming the world leader in automotive crystal devices is our comprehensive support capability, which is essentially in our DNA. From the planning and development stages to mass production and delivery, our fully integrated manufacturing, engineering, quality, and sales divisions work closely together to meet the needs of our customer.

For example, meeting customer product specification begins with applying our design engineering from the initial development stages. In the 1980s, lead-type products that had been the mainstream until then, were being replaced by Surface-Mount Devices (SMDs). However, repeated exposure to the harsh hot and cold temperatures in which automobiles are used led to cracks occurring in the solder of the printed circuit boards and crystal units. We solved the problem by engineering a special terminal structure for our automotive packages that boosted solder crack resistance.

As this experience shows, it is necessary to develop products with higher robustness than general consumer products, considering predicted severe environments and how vehicles are used. We fully recognize this fact in developing products to ensure automotive parts function reliably over long periods. Through the combination of simulation testing for repeated cooling and heating cycles as well as vibration and impact with design engineering for onboard components refined over decades, NDK are developing highly robust in-vehicle products by selecting materials to be used and structural design.

At the prototype production stage, we apply rigorous verification processes for defect prevention. For crystal units, which are passive components, the oscillation conditions must be optimal for the circuit, and we verify that they match through evaluation testing directly on the circuit board, which ensures stable operation. To keep pace with the increasing speed of product development at our customers, we are carrying out verification processes not only in Japan but in the United States and Germany. We are also carrying out this process in China where development is advancing at an extremely rapid pace.

Our activities at the mass production stage take full advantage of our ability to supply high-quality, highly reliable products. NDK has obtained International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949 certification at all of its domestic and overseas factories that manufacture automotive crystal units. Based on extremely strict automotive quality standards, we apply that quality to products for applications other than automotive.