Where do I get PICs on reels in small quantities?

[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.

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.

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

author=tnt

Digireels are not available for anything but PIC10F series

[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.

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?

http://www.microchipdirect.com/programming/FAQNew.aspx

I just looked up pricing for a random QFP PIC24 part - these prices are US$

Qty 0-500    program 0.13    re-reel 0.02    inkdot 0.01        label 0.08       

There is a 1-time setup charge of $30 and a minimum production order of $60 (not clear if this is the value of just the programming or the parts+programming).
This includes them sending you a sample programmed part for verification.

[ivan747]

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.

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?

http://www.microchipdirect.com/programming/FAQNew.aspx



I just looked up pricing for a random QFP PIC24 part - these prices are US$

Qty 0-500    program 0.13    re-reel 0.02    inkdot 0.01        label 0.08       

There is a 1-time setup charge of $30 and a minimum production order of $60 (not clear if this is the value of just the programming or the parts+programming).
This includes them sending you a sample programmed part for verification.

Thanks for the cost information, that was very useful.

And thanks to all for your time.

[Zero999]

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.

If you're worried about that then you should be asking yourself whether you trust the company assembling it for you?

If they're the kind of company to rip you off by fitting fakes then you really shouldn't be using them in the first place.

[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.

If you're worried about that then you should be asking yourself whether you trust the company assembling it for you?

If they're the kind of company to rip you off by fitting fakes then you really shouldn't be using them in the first place.

OK, you convinced me to ask them. 

[metalphreak]

If your buying more than $50-100 worth of PIC chips, you'd be silly not to buy from MicroChip direct

Also note that MicroChip have different variations of the same chip. Some are industrial rated for a higher temp range. voltage range etc. Some times they'll only have limited stock of the specialized versions (T models etc) but they'll have literally 1000's of the regular one which is fine for most purposes.