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Where do I get PICs on reels in small quantities?

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ivan747:
Hello, I have designed a very promising product. The problem is that I'm only familiar with PIC's since they are the only micro-controler sold on my country (the Dominican Republic).

Now I have been having trouble finding a way to buy QFP PICs on reels in small quantities. As my product is very specialized I plan to do just a few units. I'm a student and I don't have time or equipment to assemble a hundred boards full of SMD's at home. So I want them assembled in China  by pick and place machines.

According to Dave I should only get components on reels or tubes, but PICs on reels come in huge quantities and most PICs, specially the ones I'm considering, are not available in tubes of smaller quantities.

Some companies like Digi-Key offer reeling service for small quantities at  fee, but they only seem to be available for the 10F and some 12F and 16F series.

What can I do?

If the only option is to get them in trays, then the assembler company will transfer them to reels, but they will charge me. How much would cost that fee for ˜50-100 chips?

EDIT: I just noticed some manufacturers can handle trays, which sites like Digi-Key sell. The problem is that the seem to have a very low stock for me to rely on. (D-K has 600, Microchip has 21). Any other supplier suggestions?, or I will have to keep my eye on the stock of 5 sites every time I plan to make a batch  :-\

Thank you.

Simon:
maybe a chinese board maker and assembler can provide the pic's ?

mikeselectricstuff:
ISTR Microchip Direct's programming service will re-tape programmed parts at very low cost, so you may solve two problems in one go by getting them pre-programmed (even if it's only a bootloader ).
I don't know if they offer this for QFPs but I've used them for SO8's before.

tnt:
Digikey has the "DigiReel stuff" where you can have custom quantities on a reel IIRC.

ivan747:
I think that Having somebody find the chips over in China is not an excellent idea for my hard-to-find PICs, also I'm afraid of getting parts from the gray market.


--- Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on April 11, 2011, 09:06:35 am ---ISTR Microchip Direct's programming service will re-tape programmed parts at very low cost, so you may solve two problems in one go by getting them pre-programmed (even if it's only a bootloader ).
I don't know if they offer this for QFPs but I've used them for SO8's before.


--- End quote ---

Sounds reasonable, I hope the cost is not higher than $1 per part. Those piece of silicon are already expensive.
Can I do it without having to start a company? If so, where do I get a quotation?

Thanks


--- Quote --- author=tnt
--- Quote --- Digireels are not available for anything but PIC10F series
--- End quote ---

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