[R-390] Incomplete IF module

[Flowertime01 at wmconnect.com]

Fellows,

The question was why do we find serial numbers affixed to modules before 
the guts get soldered into the subassembly?

We need to go back to the manufacturing process.
As one is building items during the day, something must be done to track
productivity to keep modules from getting shuffled and counted as production.

The sheet metal was often stenciled and varnished before assembly stated.

That way new people had some clues by looking at the chassis silk screen 
where they were supposed to install their quota of parts. As long as you have the 
critter getting silk screened and drying, adding a serial number was just part 
of the same process. 

This also let management track production. In the days before copy machines 
and office printers, paper work was much different.

You got a sheet of paper numbered from 000 to 999. You put your name and date 
on the paper. You put a job code number on the paper. As you built items you 
filled in the digits for the serial number in front of the 000 to 999 that 
went with the item you completed. 

You were expected to complete so many assemblies per day for the job code.
At the end of the day you counted how many serial numbers you completed on 
the page.

Management had a page with numbers and job codes. They placed a date after 
the serial number to track production. If a serial number come up on the same 
job code from two different days, Management would first track back through the 
paper and then through the employees and find out who was padding their 
production count.

Amazing what one learns in college classes.

Roger KC6TRU