This episode is a dark one, to Samsung, as well as a fiasco, industrial and commercial of the most sensational in the history of the Tech. Shortly after the release of the Galaxy Note 7 as of mid-August 2016, some users began to report overheating problems. On the 1st September, Samsung were as many as 35 cases of explosion of the smartphone.
The Korean giant had then recalled all of the devices in circulation and changed their batteries, but the Note 7 continued to glow. Not being able to find the source of the problem, Samsung had to decide to discontinue the sales and manufacturing of the device, signing his death certificate.
After several months of internal investigations and independent, Samsung announced finally have discovered the cause of the malfunction. During a press conference held on Sunday 22 January 2017, the firm has formally designated the batteries of the device as responsible, and only responsible, of his misfortune.
Two battery problems distinct
According to the Korean giant, the two batteries of the Note 7, the first and the replacement, were affected by different issues, but leading to the same result : their combustion. An astonishing coincidence. For the design and manufacture of batteries of the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung has been using two providers : its affiliate Samsung SDI for the original model, and the hong kong-based company Amperex Technology for certain devices and battery replacement.
The firm has discovered that the original battery, or A battery, was suffering from a design error resulting in short-circuits. The box in which it was contained was in fact too small for it, so that the negative electrode was compressed and deformed in the right corner. It was therefore in contact with the positive electrode, causing short-circuits.
In the case of battery replacement, or battery B, rather, it is a manufacturing error. In fact, it is found that the first units supplied by Amperex Technology worked very well. But when Samsung has increased the orders (for a total of 10 million batteries) to replace the defective models of its subsidiary, the manufacturer is not able to ensure the correct production and began to commit errors.
In question, defects in the weld resulting in a poor insulation between the electrodes, positive and negative, as well as the lack of ribbons of insulation between the anodes and the cathodes of the rechargeable battery. The result is the same as with the batteries A : contact between the two electrodes, and therefore, short-circuits.
The test procedure for Samsung in question
To achieve to detect these problems, Samsung has built four additional laboratories and utilized the assistance of three independent organizations. The firm has tested more than 200 000 Note 7 and 30 000 batteries only. To do this, it will also be necessary to dedicate 700 engineers to the task. These last few have scrutinized the hardware of the smartphone in all its glory, the software part, the manufacturing process, the supply chain, as well as the test procedures.
which brings us to another fundamental question : how is it that Samsung has not discovered these problems when testing the devices ? In fact, to find the fault of the battery, it would have had to pass it on to the radius X. For B, it would have had to disassemble it. Except that these two maneuvers are not part of the test procedure of Samsung, but those of the suppliers of batteries according to D. J Koh, director of the mobile division of Samsung.
to Regain the confidence of the public
Thus, to regild his blazon, the company also announced changes in its test procedure. In regards to the batteries, Samsung introduced a new inspection process in eight steps.
first, a test of sustainability will examine the batteries when they are overcharged, slightly pierced or exposed to extreme temperatures. They will also be scrutinized visually, analyzed, X-rays, will pass through a test of loading and unloading and will be disassembled. Other maneuvers will, in addition, to simulate different scenarios of usage, make sure that the batteries are not leaking or do not differ in voltage.
a program, that will be opened by the Galaxy S8. Samsung intends to draw a line final on his misadventure, which the company has estimated the cost at $ 5 billion. These changes also aim to regain the trust of the public, the brand image of Samsung has, indeed, suffered from this fiasco. Will this be sufficient ? The future, and the Galaxy S8, we tell you.
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