Will Ferroxcuble EFD12/6/3.5 SMD former always be in stock?

[ocset]

Hello,
We need to design a single stage PFC’d Offline Buckboost converter LED driver for 30 to 100W. (as much power as components can be fitted inside the small enclosure that we have to work with)
The enclosure that we must fit inside is 140mm x 65mm and just 8mm high. We are only allowed surface mount components inside this enclosure.
We can put the AC filter and MOV, fuse etc, outside of this enclosure. Also, the bulk output capacitance, we have been told, can also be outside of this enclosure.
We need a small isolated flyback bias SMPS inside the enclosure, but the smallest off-the-shelf core and former that I can find in surface mount is the EFD12/6/3.5 by Ferroxcube. (it must be <8mm in height)
Since this is the only vendor of such a part in the world, can we always be sure that it would be in stock?

Ferroxcube EFD 12/6/3.5 Core and  SMD former:
http://c1170156.r56.cf3.rackcdn.com/UK_PMA_EFD12_6_3.5-3C94_DS.pdf

[leblanc]

Given the note in the front page of the datasheet "Supersedes data of September 2004", I'd say these parts have been around for long enough to be at a pretty low risk of going obsolete any time soon. I sort of remember the part numbers, I must have used these a few years ago.

Worst case scenario, you can definitely either find some Chinese knockoff (or a Chinese manufacturer that can make custom parts), potentially for cheaper. Or if you see it go NRND, just buy enough to last until the next product design iteration.

[floobydust]

Ferrite cores have terrible lead-times, much worse than semiconductors.
It's the core-gap that makes the part even harder to find in stock. Definitely find a second-source core, the bobbin can be a standard size and easier to procure.

But will it always be in stock? I say dream on unless you volumes are high enough.

For a standby-SMPS I would not make a transformer- it's cheap but don't forget regulatory approvals apply with the safety aspect.
Your manufacturing know how to wind/insulate/varnish appropriately or expect surprises.

I pick the SMPS IC and order an off-the-shelf transformer, from Coilcraft, Wurth etc. Epcos/TDK offer this.

If I need oddball windings, I get them to do it.

If I have no room, I change/make the enclosure bigger because this is already silly to have one component in the world suitable for a product. Unless you can afford to stock them yourselves.