Cataloging Components - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 12:51:35 am
content: I've always wanted to catalog all of my components... and I think I'm finally going to do it. Anyone else do this?I really want to start making some software for determining how to do certain things based on my catalog. Like if I wanted to get 378 ohms of resistance, I could figure out which of my components I could use to get closest to that say with using <= 5 resistors. So many little things like this that I'd like to do (another example would be voltage/current division). The values I get from theory are usually pointless, as I don't have the exact values (obviously, so I resort to pots).I guess I just wanted to shoot this idea out there. (Probably already has been done)

author: DrGeoff
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 12:59:56 am
content: I've successfully catalogued all my parts since not only did I need to know if I had something, but also where it was amongst the tens of thousands of IC's, transistors, caps etc. The components are located in labelled tubs, crates and trays and a database is used to locate it for a specific component. The same database is also used for assemblies and BOMs, which lets me know if I have all the components on hand to construct something and where they are.I have a linux server running all the time on the network here which does mail and dns caching, as well as local web serving so the database server was added to this box and a web-based interface allows me to access it from a number of different locations as well as using the ipad.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 01:01:13 am
content: I have an excel spreadsheet for the component types that i have a large number of.Nothing automated, it's just to keep track of what i have.So i can look for a suitable part for a project.It saves having to sort through boxes of stuff reading values and googling part numbers.It would definitely be handy to have it all indexed and available online, with links to datasheets and online tools for calculating stuff.Ya never know, you might have 100's of really hard to get ICs and someone might come across your page and want to buy themYou could also put the url in your CV to show potential employers that you're someone who builds a lot of stuff by yourself and therefor skilled in the area.

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 01:25:50 am
content: Hmm, I was just thinking locally. But seeing the benefits of having it online, and available for sharing. I think I may speak with a few friends, and maybe get a website dedicated to personal cataloging with calculators (maybe a scripting featurefor your own calculations). I've got plenty of places to host a medium-load server. We could also have sharing, so others can look through your public (or private) lists of components.I guess, I hate to jump on it so quick. But would anyone have domain name ideas?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 02:19:13 am
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 14, 2011, 01:25:50 amA community site were everyone can catalog their components sounds like an awesome idea.People could also trade components and stuff.

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 02:36:16 am
content: I'm registeringhttp://eesdb.org/(electrical engineer's database [eedb.org was taken]) tonight

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 07:36:19 am
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 14, 2011, 12:51:35 amThe parts cataloguing is a good idea,but the software for working out component combinations is not, IMHO!The idea of studying Electronics is so thatyoucan make the choice of components,not your PC!In your example,it is normal practice to use the next standard value,so you would use a 390 Ohm resistor.The nominal value is just over 3% high,but if you check through a few examples,you will find several which are a lot closer.Most of the components you will use your resistors with will have wider tolerances than your resistor selection,so it is not normally necessary to strive for such a high degree of accuracy.It is a hallmark of well designed circuits, that they are reproduceable without needing specially selected components---it is very much less expensive,too!VK6ZGO

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 09:59:35 am
content: I started a spreadsheet years back to keep track of my components.Something like E12 for resistors, E6 for caps, simple alphabetic list of 2NXXXX / BCXXX transistors, simple sorted list of 4000s and 7400s series ICs. Most of the components were all regular leaded stuff, standard 1/4 W resistors etc.I would then run into some resistor values which were E24 and edited the spreadsheet for more values. Time goes by and you find yourself expanding your spreadsheet with E196 for that cheap SMD resistor assortment you grabbed off ebay. You spend a lot of time trying to find a clever way to structure the E values since some overlap and you really don't see the point in having a separate bin for 90.9k and 91.0k.Then you separate component types, i.e. reistors, caps, diode, transistors,IC.You realise you have different tolerances, nominal voltages, temperature coefficients, MIL spec parts, on reel or in tubes and add hyperlinks to datasheets.Later you're at a point where you have old parts without datasheets, without proper part numbers and you just pour them into your jelly beans box for prototyping and try to keep those special low ESR chip capacitors and other exotics in separate boxes.Long story short, you suddenly realise that it takes a lot of time to sort the spreadsheet, and you haven't even counted the parts yet...let alone updated the list since your last project. I find myself just buying a pack of 100 resistors when I notice I'm running out and not really keeping track of the actual amount.A database programme would need an extensive import function too! I'd totally hate having to enter each component's data manually.EDIT: the PDF file is just one decade, all values in E3 up until E192. You can look at it and decide which values to lump together.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 10:12:25 am
content: I only do it for semiconductors, i don't see the point in creating a list of resistor / capacitor inventory.IC's, Diodes, Fets, Transistors, yes

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 10:32:02 am
content: I use a software named ELELA.You can download from here:www.mmvisual.deIts free.

author: tellyman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 10:54:33 am
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 14, 2011, 12:51:35 amHiHave you tried electronics assistant a free program just type in your first resister it will tell you what you need with it to get to your preferred value.Tony

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 01:24:02 pm
content: I don't maintain an inventory like that but I do use an Excel spreadsheet for costing purposes. It takes the form of Name, Value, Quantity, Purchase Price, Price per Unit (derived from Quantity and Purchase Price) and then sets of columns for each project. All I have to do is enter the number needed of a given part for Project A and it pulls from the Price per Unit column and totals it at the bottom. I can do multiple projects side-by-side and compare them on a per-unit basis. It helps a lot. HTH

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 03:51:19 pm
content: As I work in a small electronics shop I do that on a daily basis. All the parts need to be meticulously catalogued and sorted into bins. There's no way I can just mix, say, 90.9k and 91k, that would result in total chaos. What you need to keep track of round about 35000 different parts are drawers, massive amounts of little drawers. There's about 16000 of them right behind me now. All labeled and all catalogued in a database. It is an insane amount of work, I can tell you.At home in my small private lab I've come to use the same drawer racks after years of putting up with little boxes and other things not really suited to the task. I've started working on my own database system for home use years ago but never finished it, today I just stopped bothering. When I notice I'm running out of something I make a note on a piece of A4 stuck to the wall in the lab and when that shopping list fills up I take it with me to work to stock up on parts. KISS.On the other hand a online parts database does sound handy, so if somebody gets something like that up and running I'd certainly give it a try.I'll also check out ELELA.Here's the wall of drawers:

author: gamozo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 04:39:13 pm
content: I have registered, and put up a simple webpage for eesdb.Check it out!http://eesdb.org/

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 04:45:54 pm
content: BTW, I love drawers, but they tend to be expensive. For my home use, these work pretty well and are cost-effective (about US$8 around here). They are modular and can be stacked taller or shorter as needed:http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=629&ProductCategory=186&section=1

author: Joshua
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2011, 10:35:37 pm
content: EleLA looks great from the screenshots, however I can't read German! Aagghhh!

author: JonnyBoats
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2011, 03:09:24 am
content: Quote from: gamozo on September 14, 2011, 04:39:13 pmLooks like a good start. A feature that would be helpful would be to include links to datasheets for parts.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2011, 04:43:23 am
content: Quote from: david77 on September 14, 2011, 03:51:19 pmA nominal value 90.9k resistor is just 0.1099% lower in value than a nominal value 91k resistor!What tolerance are your resistors?If they aren't better than 0.1099% tolerance,why bother stocking 90.9k?VK6ZGO

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2011, 06:30:23 am
content: That was only an example I used because someone used it in an earlier posting.I don't stock 90,9k (*runs and looks if that's true*) but if I did I'd have to have a separate drawer for them anyway.Otherwise it'd be a logistical nightmare.That ELELA program offers an english setup option, so it seems it's been translated. I've played around a bit with it yesterday and it needs some getting used to. It took me a while to get behind the authors logic but it would seem to be quite usable.Nice thing is it's got a MySQL interface for it's DB so its usable on a LAN, very important feature for me.

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2011, 07:43:56 am
content: Quote from: Joshua on September 14, 2011, 10:35:37 pmThe software is in English, so no problem to try it

author: SgtRock
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 15, 2011, 05:10:54 pm
content: Dear EEVBees:--What we need is an open source hand held scanner that can scan the part directly (I.E. no bar code). It should be able to identify resistors, capacitors, and any chip with an ID number on it. It could happen."Three weeks in the lab will save you a day in the library every time" Stanley Williams, HP LabsBest RegardsClear Ether

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 15, 2011, 08:32:55 pm
content: Big shops have entire departments dedicated to inventory, the more parts you have the more your time is spent doing inventory style work than electronics. I just keep small sets of parts strictly for design prototyping, not for construction, and any construction BOM goes out for purchase, so I use Digikey, Jameco etc., as my inventory trackers. I can then spend most time doing electronics, avoiding most clerical work.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 16, 2011, 07:40:46 am
content: Your individual approach to stocking parts alway depends on what work you really do. As a professional engineer who really designs stuff that's going into production it makes sense to farm the stock keeping work out to another company, I guess.As a hobbyist who does most of his electronics related work in the evenings and on weekends I find it invaluable to have parts at hand when I need them, at least standard jellybean type stuff. Nothing I hate more than discovering I ran out of something I now desperatetly need to get on with my project.