How do you source very small orders from companies?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: TheDopplerEffect
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 18, 2020, 07:25:46 am
content: I'm currently working on a project replacing the electronic hand controls on my motorcycle. I'm going with a more contemporary design using the illuminated anti-vandal aluminum push buttons you find everywhere but I'm having trouble finding the verity of buttons i'm wanting.momentary, yellow, off-(on) (horn)momentary, green, off-(on) and on-(off) (starter)latching, orange, off-on (indicator) x2latching, white, off-on and on-off (headlight)latching, Red, off-on (kill switch)all the buttons I would like to be black and have a panel hole of 16mm or less. also, its important to have a LED rated for 12v.What I have found is that most distributes like digikey don't have the verity of parts to cater to my strict requirements witch is reasonable.I've been looking at E switch, their products can satisfy my requirements but I've never ordered directly from the source. my guess if they require a large order to make it worth while for them.Any better ideas, any better places to get buttons. any resources to learn more about this topic? or at this point is it just smarter to work with what I have access to?

author: twospoons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2020, 08:11:32 am
content: Contact them and tell them your story. You never know - you might get some freebies turn up in the mail. At very least they should let you know where to get small quantites.

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 18, 2020, 08:19:49 am
content: I know this is nothing to do with your question, but are you sure those buttons will have good usability? It's really important that you can operate those controls with gloves on and most importantly without having to look at them. Illuminated anti-vandal buttons don't seem to fit the bill. They might look good when stationary, but I don't think that when riding the bike they will give an enjoyable (or even safe) experience.

author: Phil-GS
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 18, 2020, 01:28:46 pm
content: I would agree with Fred27.Vandal resistant switches are nice (if weather resistant, stainless, IP68?), but being flat profile (anti-tamper) do need a good press unless they are the size of switches fitted in lifts etc.I use one for a door bell and it works well.I also fitted a small enclosure to my pedal cycle so that I could turn on the front and rear lights, and also have a repeater LED to show they were on.I used small tactile switches which are sealed for PCB production and the LEDs were a tight fit through the enclosure for weather resistance.Very few manufacturers will deal directly with individuals, but some will.You might have to set up a pro-forma account (you pay for goods before they process the order).If E switches manufacture, they will certainly have distributors. I would ask them about direct sales or a list of distributors.As twospoons says, they might be generous and give you some, and I've had quite a few freebies in the past.Another approach might be to use a bit of electronics. You can turn a momentary switch into a latching switch using a logic chip called a flip-flop. This would reduce the inventory.One thing that might worry me a bit is the fact that you are modifying the bike.You might have to declare that to insurers or they might refuse to honour claims.In the UK, we have annual tests on all vehicles (the MOT test) and you could fail on that as an unapproved modification. I don't know how extreme modifications like Easy Rider bikes get on, but best get advice first.

author: TheDopplerEffect
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 18, 2020, 05:04:49 pm
content: I haven’t fully considered using a PCB design. I might even be able to make the controls look smaller but a concern of mine is that PCBs may be a little more prone to corrosion. I doubt I’m able to fully seal the container and protect the PCB but I also don’t have much experience with PCBs in the elements.My ultimate goal for this project is to work on finishing and spending the time to make the things I build look good so I’m going to keep testing around.I found the buttons aren't really that bad. The 16mm sized anti-vandal switches are kinda the perfect size and work fairly well with gloves. And they work even better with tall buttons witch extend past the bezel. The 12mm start getting to small.Thanks a lot for the input twospoons, Fred, and phil. 👍🏻

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2020, 01:22:19 am
content: I'm not sure if E-Switch sells direct in small quantities. If you find out that they don't you should be able to ask them for a list of authorized vendors. Hopefully one of those authorized vendors can help you out.The big problem here is that the lot sizes might not be ideal If that case you have limited options. Basically order case lots or try a different vendor. The obvious problem for the vendor is that if they are forced into case lots then you end up having to buy in case lots because they can't have uncatalogued hardware sitting around.Many vendors will handle items not cataloged by them if they are an authorized dealer. You can however get killed on those minimal quantities. So your options are to keep the extras or E-Bay them if you go this route.As for other sources there are dozens, probably several dozen, suppliers that handle various vendors. Sometimes finding those vendors is a trick but google is your friend. Look for suppliers or industrial electronics for example.Sometime ago I needed to find an importer for Fuji ( I believe ) switches used on some CNC machines. It took awhile and I had to have all the right information but eventually found the importer. This operation was an organization I've never heard of before and have never seen of nor dealt with since. However they had no problem selling me (well the company I work for) a couple of tubes worth of switches. It just takes some time to trace down these suppliersQuote from: TheDopplerEffect on June 18, 2020, 07:25:46 am

author: tkamiya
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2020, 07:38:56 am
content: I would just contact sales or support department of the manufacture.One time, I did this to one of the top tier fortune 500 company. I even identified I am a hobbyist/individual developer. I explained, I needed very specific property so if I could please have a SMALL sample. The company sent me a box full, explaining they don't break a carton even for samples.Hey, you'll never know. Most of the times, you'll be referred to a vendo or seller, and you have to get retailer information from them. It can be done. Takes lots of time.