ReelMag - An easier way to store and organize your SMD components - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 03:35:24 pm
content: Hello Everyone,Using SMD components for prototypes, hobby projects small batch production is all cumbersome and difficult but unavoidable. If you are into it, There is a High probability you would end up with bix boxes of ESD and component packetsThis resulted in⛔Delayed projects⛔Searching for components⛔No track of stock⛔creates a mess while soldering🎉Introducing ReelMag🎉. The Revolutionary way to store and organize SMD componentsGrab the limited-time offer to get a free ReelMag!! Checkwww.reelmag.storeFollow us on Instagram for regular updates as we launch -https://www.instagram.com/reelmag.store/We are planning for a Kickstarter launch soon! Comments and questions are most welcome.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 11:02:48 pm
content: Interesting and potentially cool. Of course, when one requires quite a few of those the price per container will be important - can you give us a ballpark figure?

author: Jackster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 12:25:53 am
content: Product looks great (the 3D renders at least), and I could see my prototyping bench with some of these on it. Would look and function pretty nicely. But it would just be for vanity more than anything. Right now we use R&C books, and well organised box of component bags and reels for prototypes.Hopefully you can mass manufacturer these so the price per is low enough to make it a good value proposition.Don't forget, we all have 3D printers of our own, a Maker would easily clone this within a few hours. The cost to print a few dozen is not that much. For makers, it is just convince and time you are selling.Maybe if you do a large enough package, SMEs might buy into it?Will have to wait and see what pricing you can come up with.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 12:43:26 am
content: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3952021(also check the remixes)Don't know if OP is the same guy.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 01:09:54 am
content: Quote from: sleemanj on October 09, 2022, 12:43:26 am3D printing them was just what I was thinking about when I saw the OP. The way it's designed is perfect for 3D printing.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 12:47:57 pm
content: Your website is pretty and lots of nice renders, but is there actual 3D printed or injection molded parts yet?You mention ESD bags at the start of your post. So, is there plans for the green (or any colour) ones to be ESD safe?While not identical it is clearly a derivative of the "SMD Component Magazines" design by Robin Reiter (linked above) which is licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial license.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/So did you contact Robin and agree to some alternate licensing terms?I'll admit there is some nice thought put into improvements in this version, but the above does seem problematic.Robin is apparently working on the draft angles of his design for mass production...https://twitter.com/robin7331/status/1578307622767570944

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 01:27:54 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on October 09, 2022, 01:09:54 amseems like a nice idea, diy printing them even nicer but... when looking at my prototyping stock.. i probably need hundred of reels and a full room wall to store them... i think i just put back the box where it was.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 02:19:09 pm
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on October 10, 2022, 01:27:54 pmYeah, um... even worse than that for me. I have ~15 drawers each full of maybe one hundred baggies typically containing 100-1000 per value sorted by value. Separate drawers for 0402/0603/0805/1206 resistors/caps/ferrites/etc, with some like 0603 & 0805 resistors using multiple drawers. Not to mention a huge number of reels of parts for the PnPs.The original idea here was you just put together a "rail" of the parts for a particular BOM when doing small scale manual assembly, not necessarily a magazine for every part you might own.Especially handy when using Robins Pixel Pump (I use a JBC vacuum placement tool).

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 06:14:13 pm
content: That seems like a really strange ordering of capacitor values in the rendering (by value expressed alphanumerically rather than by value)

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2022, 07:39:27 am
content: Thank you everyone for your interest in this project.When I personally started facing this problem, I started looking out for commercial solutions and none were available off the shelf.The Design has been done forinjection moldingwith all the design for manufacturing into consideration.Please find one of the posters with our3D printed models.As you are well aware the price per piece is low but as we are going in for injection molding there is a significant CAPEX involved, So we are trying to arrive at a specific price point that balances its value and CAPEX on the other end.We will keep you guys updated as we evolve with our marketing efforts. Follow us athttps://www.instagram.com/reelmag.store/for more regular updates and use cases.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2022, 07:44:10 am
content: Quote from: sokoloff on October 10, 2022, 06:14:13 pmYes, the capacitor values are just put in for render purposes. Nothing specific in there. Anyway, the reels are not marked off the package you can print or write your own values on our A4 sticker templates.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2022, 07:54:58 am
content: Quote from: Kean on October 10, 2022, 12:47:57 pmHi Kean,Thanks for your interest in the project. The units will beinjection molded. Our design has already been made with manufacturability design considerations. We have a roadmap for ESD safe mags, There is no extra effort from our end. We just need to balance volume requirements and pricing.Yes while we started working on it we did notice different models including Robins for reference. And as said we have tried to build functionalities to solve all the issues faced by makers community.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2022, 08:00:57 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on October 10, 2022, 01:27:54 pmHaha. I was also in the same stage and that is how this came up.After making this project I realized that we have so many reels that not even a full-sized reel mag would be sufficient to store all of our experimental chips and reels.But, It would be of great convenience and time saver to store our most commonly used components within our hands reach on our maker table.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2022, 08:13:31 am
content: Quote from: Jackster on October 09, 2022, 12:25:53 amHi Jackster,We are aware of the R&C book holders but they had a few major drawbacks such asit can only hold a few components in one slot which might get consumed easily depending on the scaleno way of tracking if a particular component is available (in stock or not)No provision to store loose components.and so on. Then we did check a few other 3d printed solutions and decided to make features to tackle all the problems and ended with this design.We have 3D printed the model for our current marketing efforts. We spent almost amonth with a single machine to 3D print all 30 units. It was very time-consuming and the front glass panel is still a challenge to handle with.

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2022, 05:53:44 pm
content: Quote from: r_karthik_r on October 08, 2022, 03:35:24 pmYou need to take a look at your SSL Certifcates forwww.reelmag.store. The certifcate is only valid for wheelmag.store, not forwww.reelmag.store. And yes, there is a difference, and yes, it's important. At least if you link with www includedI will refrain on critcising the website itself too much, but i was maybe half a second from just closing it. Really think about if you want that website, with that forced animation, to advertise to engineers. At the moment it feels a bit like a waste of time.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2022, 07:31:37 pm
content: QuoteLikewise. And going back later to check something I saw at the bottom of the page... you have to wait and go through all the animation again. Doesn't encourage repeat visits. Or even a simple refresh.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2022, 07:41:17 am
content: Quote from: r_karthik_r on October 11, 2022, 07:39:27 amYes, we are aware of the math. But what is the result?? We really need to know the pricing. Having a ".store" website where one can't buy anything (yet) is one thing, but a .store which does not even have a price list is pointless.Quote from: Kean on October 10, 2022, 12:47:57 pmWhy would that be necessary? Most likely Robin Reiter's design is not patented, i.e. Robin has not protected any aspect of itsfunctionality. And the specificimplementationof the OP's SMD magazines is different enough -- I am pretty sure that they started a 3D design from scratch, and did not use Robin's drawings or CAD model. Hence, no license needed.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2022, 08:06:41 am
content: Oh, one more thought:It's probably too late in the design process now, but I think these should ideally be compatible with DIN rails for mounting. I would much prefer solid wall-mounted metal rails to some custom plastic pieces.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2022, 04:36:57 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on October 15, 2022, 08:06:41 amThank you for the input. We did consider it in our design phase. But removing the mags of a DIN rail turned out to be cumbersome. We couldn't stack the rails one above the other.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2022, 04:38:46 am
content: We wanted to share with you guys this picture of a 3D printed ReelMag

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2022, 08:37:58 am
content: The loose compartment bit is a significant aspect, I think. Deals with those tapes where the cover came off just one more than it should have, etc.

author: TomWinTejas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2022, 04:34:47 am
content: Just FYI, there are some misspellings and odd phrasings on the website."The top plastic cover can be pulled out exploring the component for solidering." for example. I think exposing rather than exploring may make more sense, and soldering rather than solidering. There was another section where replenish was spelled replinish as well. I didn't look too closely, but it's worth a quick proofread.Best of luck with the product neighbor (the website's mailing address is only a few miles from my home)!

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2022, 03:58:52 am
content: Hi Guys,Just a gentle reminder in case

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2022, 12:25:19 pm
content: Heads-up, in case you care (which you almost surely do!):Going to:https://www.reelmag.store/gives me a certificate warning that the site certificate being served is from getdiety.com and the content served to me if I accept the certificate warning is also getdiety.com.I don't have time or motivation to troubleshoot exactly why that's happening, but you presumably have more of at the least the latter.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2022, 02:01:17 pm
content: Quote from: r_karthik_r on October 23, 2022, 03:58:52 amWell, DNS and/or hosting is borked, only food stuff now.

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2022, 08:02:18 pm
content: Quote from: Haenk on October 24, 2022, 02:01:17 pmOooofI wanted to comment yesterday that it is a bad look that they still have not fixed the certificate issue.Well, speak of bad looks

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2022, 08:00:39 am
content: Works for me

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2022, 09:52:58 am
content: Yes, it seems that the website is back. Content is unchanged; still no information on price or availability.

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2022, 11:31:14 am
content: At least the certificate error onwww.reelmag.storeis now gone.I suspect their hoster might have messed up just a bit there

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 10:15:31 am
content: Hi Guys,The page was messed up due to the server hosting cache. It was shared hosting. We have sorted the same. We are also working on the certificates as there is a lock-in period of 7 days for a change to be done.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 11:28:55 am
content: I just cut the corner off the digikey bag so the tape can poke out the corner.Quick, simple, cheap, and already labeled with the value and part number.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 12:05:45 pm
content: Well yes. But that is when I ended up with a box like thisIt became frustrating searching for the componentsLost track of what is in stock and what is not, ended up missing or re-ordering componentsIt also created a mess while soldering with all the packets aroundQuote from: Psi on October 27, 2022, 11:28:55 amand Digikey label does fade off over time ( it is just a thermal print label)

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 12:50:05 pm
content: Quote from: r_karthik_r on October 27, 2022, 12:05:45 pmWell, don't throw then in a box put the packs on a shelf!

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 09:40:48 am
content: Hi guys,Many people started asking us about the differences between ReelMag and existing methods. So here is a comparison table showing the difference between the concepts

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 10:09:07 am
content: Quote from: r_karthik_r on November 16, 2022, 09:40:48 amIn other news, many people were asking about the pricing. How about that?

author: jduncan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 10:17:30 am
content: How does this "keep track of stock" any better than the divider case or sleeve book?You've also ignored the most relevant comparison - a box of digikey bags. It's not as pretty and a bit more work to search for the part you need. But it's a higher density and honestly doesn't take that long to fish out the bag you need with just minimal organization.For "small batch production" I don't bother with using stock - just order the components you need for a build and everything is right at hand.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2022, 10:20:07 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on November 16, 2022, 10:09:07 amI'm just afraid, that the price of the holder will be 20x the price of the components in it.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 04:04:08 am
content: Quote from: jduncan on November 16, 2022, 10:17:30 amQuote from: jduncan on November 16, 2022, 10:17:30 amIt does actually. That is how we used to maintain before but at some point, it started to become a headache and a bunch of bags in a box. That is the image with which we started this topic. Maybe it depends on the scale of the SMD components you use.Quote from: jduncan on November 16, 2022, 10:17:30 ampersonal preference and due to location may be. We tend to use components from stock for small batches and test board production.

author: r_karthik_r
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2022, 04:06:38 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on November 16, 2022, 10:09:07 amwell yes. people have been asking that as well. We are still in the early stages of marketing, Please bear with us as we evolve. We are also eager to go live at the earliest.

author: Electro707
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2022, 09:12:10 pm
content: Looks like an interesting product. I'll keep an eye out for it when it is fully live.I agree with some of the previous comments for the website to remove to the 15-second non-skippable marketing animation.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2023, 09:57:58 pm
content: Hi Karthik, is this project still alive? Any updates on price and availability? Thanks!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2023, 12:19:05 am
content: One disadvantage of these ReelMag holders seems to be no ability to see how many parts are left.

author: NickyDoes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2023, 05:44:10 pm
content: Quote from: r_karthik_r on October 27, 2022, 12:05:45 pmDigikey labels arethermal transferprinted. The transferred wax-based ink does not fade significantly likedirect thermaldoes.