Full reels are too expensive : Mini-reels? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 07:58:54 am
content: I'm kitting up to have some low volume (batches of 30) boards made and the cost of a full reel of some semi's it too high.Things like;MCP1703AT regulators @ ~$1 per unit..BAV99 reel of 5000 is $150BS250FTA FET reel of 3000 is $800M1MA142WKT1G diode reel of 5000 is $160Are mini-reels such a thing any more? Occasionally I'll order say 200 x SOT23 parts from RS and they'll turn up on a reel yet the catalog says nothing about packaging.Being in Australia I mainly order through RS / Element14 / Xon etc.Also is there much wastage? I'm not fussed about losing some passives but is there a loss of a few parts on reels when assemblers set them up on the PnP machines?

author: 48X24X48X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 09:02:52 am
content: Both RS & E14 has re-reel services (minimum 150 pieces).Just make sure the part where they append the leading tape is properly done.

author: langwadt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 09:08:13 am
content: Quote from: DTJ on October 20, 2016, 07:58:54 amdigikey have digi-reels where they put how many you need on a reel for a $7 feethere's always the risk that assembler will lose a few parts, but I don't expect them to do it on purpose unless it is dirt cheap passives and it saves time

author: 48X24X48X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 11:07:51 am
content: QuoteIt's free with E14 and RS!

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 11:21:51 am
content: Excellent guys, thanks 48X24X48X and Langwadt for all the info.Yep RS & E14 do it for free - not sure how I missed seeing the button to convert to production packaging. Being able to buy part reels makes it possible to move away from hand assembly. There's no way Ican afford the $3k per reel for some parts!One more question....... after removing parts for hand assembly work, how much leader tape (top) and tray part (bottom) should I leave so the assembly guys can mount the reels easily?I guess just copy the start of a new reel?

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 11:28:38 am
content: Quote from: DTJ on October 20, 2016, 11:21:51 amIf you order a "mini reel" it has all the necessary lead for the assembly. If you want to make a hand prototype, order a cut tape separately. It will be more expensive, but at least you will not get half your components on the ground next to the PnP machine.

author: anfang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2016, 02:31:08 pm
content: Most assemblers these days can easily deal with cut tape. I was on an assembly floor the other day and they had a mydata machine that had countless cut tape feeders. When I get parts back, there's no leader attached. The machine seems to cope fine with a short piece of cut tape and no leader.For buying r's and c's, just buy 250 at a time. At that volume, you'll be getting well under a penny a part most of the time. That cut tape--no spool--can be handled by your placement guys if they have modern machines.For the other parts that are small and not so cheap (LDOs, etc that are $0.20 to $0.80), buy 10 or 20% extra. For large parts (FGPA, processors) you can usually buy the precise amount that is needed.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 09:03:43 am
content: Quote from: anfang on October 20, 2016, 02:31:08 pm+1 - just make sure there are a decent number of spares to cover leader/trailer losses - ask your assembler what they recommend, as different feeder types will have different requirements.The only things I tend to buy full reels of are resistors.Also bear in mind that assembler ay stock reels of common parts.

author: RobK_NL
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2016, 07:22:27 pm
content: Quote from: DTJ on October 20, 2016, 07:58:54 amYou buy from the wrong vendors!A reel of BAV99 (that's either 3000 or 10,000) can be had for under $60 (http://nl.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ON-Semiconductor/BAV99LT1G/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtoHjESLttvkpH5EyJOXmERd%2fubWEfVc%2f4%3d)The BS250 is $660 for a reel and the M1MA142WKT1G is $72For smaller numbers, you'd also to well to look at Mouser and Digikey. Even with the re-reeling fee, they're likely to be cheaper.Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on October 21, 2016, 09:03:43 amAnd may also get a better price on the rest of the components.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2016, 04:34:48 am
content: Thanks for all the replies guys. Looks like I need to look further for better prices and have a chat with the assembly house.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2016, 07:35:18 am
content: Quote from: DTJ on October 22, 2016, 04:34:48 amThe one I'm working with has an excel sheet on their website with their standard components. I really dont care about passives and jelly bean, so I just let them sell it to me. Less stock, less trouble. All I do: I put a column in the BOM, saying if it can be replaced with a compatible one.