Compact Way to Organize SMD Parts

[D from BC]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?


D from BC

 

[John Larkin]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?


D from BC

Coin envelopes.

John

 

[Boris Mohar]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?


D from BC

I put them in 4" x 6" zip lock bags.

http://www.viatrack.ca/Pix/SMDSTOCK.jpg



Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs (among other things) http://www.viatrack.ca

void _-void-_ in the obvious place

 

[J.A. Legris]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?

D from BC

I'd be a little worried about static electricity.

I went to a jewelry supply house and bought a wooden case containing a
bunch of little glass-topped aluminum containers similar to these:
http://wire-sculpture.com/items/G20_13.php

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?

D from BC

http://www.vakits.com/ alredy sells thier system on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SMT-Component-Storage-Kit_W0QQitemZ7625912369QQihZ011QQ

--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

 

[Ecnerwal]

As I've said at least once before when this subject came up, I think
that test-tubes or culture tubes are really handy for actually getting
to/using the parts. If the parts are static sensitive, leave them in the
tape for SMD protection, or pay 5X the price for ESD-safe tubes.

Not the most compact, but saves time in getting some out and putting
some away, with convenient racks available, and color-coding options as
well.

 

[Terry Given]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?


D from BC

I use old film canisters. Free, in vast quantities. I have a silly
number of SMD parts, and four document drawer cabinets (15 foolscap
sized drawers each, about 2" high) with about 35 film canisters per drawer.

1000 0603's is < 1cm deep in a film canister.

I did this after getting sick of leafing thru a gazillion little bags.
Its easy to waste hours per day if your parts are poorly organised.

Cheers
Terry

 

[Mike Harrison]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?


D from BC

Film Negative-strip binders :
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/smd_storage.html

 

[Jim Yanik]

I use old film canisters. Free, in vast quantities. I have a silly
number of SMD parts, and four document drawer cabinets (15 foolscap
sized drawers each, about 2" high) with about 35 film canisters per
drawer.

1000 0603's is < 1cm deep in a film canister.

I did this after getting sick of leafing thru a gazillion little bags.
Its easy to waste hours per day if your parts are poorly organised.

Cheers
Terry

OK for passives,not good for semis.

 

[Harry Dellamano]

I have a pile of about 200 different sized bags of assorted SMD parts
from Digikey..

What's a nice way to organized this?

I thought of finding 200 clear slim 'click' boxes (used for makeup)
with dimensions that match the Digikey sticky labels.

The boxes are then loaded in a box like files in a filing cabinet.
One just flicks through to find the right part.

Whatdayah think?

Also...
Could I turn this into an E*bay item for sale?
Would you buy a SMD part organizer like this off E*bay?


D from BC

Try this:
http://business.search.ebay.com/_El...catrefZC12QQfrppZ25QQsacatZ4659QQsassZsmtzone

Cheers,
Harry

 

[D from BC]

Film Negative-strip binders :
http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/smd_storage.html

Neato

Reminds me of my idea of using vinyl floppy disk holders to hold SMD
parts.
Example:
http://www.dominoplasticsmanufacturing.com/floppy-disk.html
Especially the floppy disk holders for 3 ring binders.
A Digikey label would fit in these holders.


D from BC

 

[D from BC]

Try this:
http://business.search.ebay.com/_El...catrefZC12QQfrppZ25QQsacatZ4659QQsassZsmtzone

Cheers,
Harry

I dunno if I'm going to like picking parts out of a tray with
needlenose pliers..
Perhaps I could train a bird like this one
http://www.rosyfinch.com/FlickerMale.jpg
to pick SMD parts.


D from BC

 

[Fred Bartoli]

Harry Dellamano a écrit :

Try this:
http://business.search.ebay.com/_El...catrefZC12QQfrppZ25QQsacatZ4659QQsassZsmtzone

Yup. That's what I use too and I find it incredibly practical, safe (you
know what I mean) and compact.

D : picking components in those boxes is *very* easy.

There's even enough place for a few SOICs, but we could use a bit more
place here. Hey, nothing's perfect

 

[D from BC]

Harry Dellamano a écrit :

Yup. That's what I use too and I find it incredibly practical, safe (you
know what I mean) and compact.

D : picking components in those boxes is *very* easy.

There's even enough place for a few SOICs, but we could use a bit more
place here. Hey, nothing's perfect

I saw the picture of a resistor being removed with tweezers. Picture
#8.
http://cgi.ebay.com/481-values-x50-...oryZ4664QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I do use tweezers for placement anyways.
Using tweezers to take resistors out of the compartment looks like no
added fiddling.
The tweezing starts at the box and ends on the board.

The box is compact with 128 compartments. ~$30.00 which is ok.
However, I don't see how I can use the Digikey labels for semi's for
fast labeling.

I'm still thinking of an alternative for fast restocking, labeling,
searching and picking.


D from BC

 

[Nico Coesel]

Envelopes?? Like brown paper??
Maybe there's rectangular clear coin envelopes...

Clear packaging is nice to see how many parts are inside.

I'm imagining something like slim CD jewel cases but equal to the size
of Digikey labels...

From where I order they send the parts mostly in clear zip-lock bags.
I put these in a drawer (standing) sorted by type and value. Besides
that I use an MS-Access database to keep track on inventory. Since SMD
parts usually come in quantities of 50 or even 250 pieces, it is nice
to know if you already have a certain value in stock.

 

[Nico Coesel]

Try this:
http://business.search.ebay.com/_El...catrefZC12QQfrppZ25QQsacatZ4659QQsassZsmtzone

I might buy one of these. The price is excellent!

 

[Fred Bartoli]

D from BC a écrit :

I saw the picture of a resistor being removed with tweezers. Picture
#8.
http://cgi.ebay.com/481-values-x50-...oryZ4664QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I do use tweezers for placement anyways.
Using tweezers to take resistors out of the compartment looks like no
added fiddling.

The tweezing starts at the box and ends on the board.

Isn't dealing with the filed zip lock bags added fiddling too?
Isn't picking one resistor from bulk stock in the zip lock bags added
fiddling too?
Or isn't picking one resistor from small cut band in the zip lock bags
added fiddling too?

I've used and tested almost all the SMD storage methods and that one is
the most practical I've found for small prototyping.

Get practical, shell $30 and just try it. You'll be surprised.

The box is compact with 128 compartments. ~$30.00 which is ok.
However, I don't see how I can use the Digikey labels for semi's for
fast labeling.

How about a pencil?

I'm still thinking of an alternative for fast restocking, labeling,
searching and picking.

I bet you that with my boxes, I work at least twice or thrice as fast as
you do with your zip lock bags.

 

[D from BC]

D from BC a écrit :


Isn't dealing with the filed zip lock bags added fiddling too?
Isn't picking one resistor from bulk stock in the zip lock bags added
fiddling too?
Or isn't picking one resistor from small cut band in the zip lock bags
added fiddling too?

I've used and tested almost all the SMD storage methods and that one is
the most practical I've found for small prototyping.

Get practical, shell $30 and just try it. You'll be surprised.




How about a pencil?


I bet you that with my boxes, I work at least twice or thrice as fast as
you do with your zip lock bags.

That's great for compartments full of chip resistors.
However, I have ~50 different semi's, quantity = 1.
Pencil labeling a compartment for 1 component seems a pita.
A pita 50X for ~50 individual components with more on the way.
One compartment per part, wasteful..

I'd rather 'pop' the label and the part in something when I receive
the shipment.
Sometimes I order 'guess components*' just to avoid Digikeys min order
charge of $6.50Can.
Often I don't use these components and want to file them fast. Zip
lock bags let me do this. Rigid plastic cosmetic boxes aligned domino
style might be better.

*Guess components: Best guess to alternate components in case of
design changes.


D from BC

 

[Rich Grise]

That's great for compartments full of chip resistors. However, I have
~50 different semi's, quantity = 1. Pencil labeling a compartment for 1
component seems a pita. A pita 50X for ~50 individual components with
more on the way. One compartment per part, wasteful..

I'd rather 'pop' the label and the part in something when I receive the
shipment.

Get little tiny ziplocs, and fold the label up so it fits inside the
bag with the part.
http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?pagenum=1478

I've seen them even smaller - it shouldn't take a minute to find some
on google.

They're not anti-static (poly is notoriously staticky), but I'm sure
you'll figure something out.

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[D from BC]

Get little tiny ziplocs, and fold the label up so it fits inside the
bag with the part.
http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?pagenum=1478

I've seen them even smaller - it shouldn't take a minute to find some
on google.

They're not anti-static (poly is notoriously staticky), but I'm sure
you'll figure something out.

Good Luck!
Rich

A Digikey label is ~ 2"x ~3.5".
The closest bag on that link to fitting
a full Digikey label is 3"x 4".
Not bad.

Antistatic too @ 3" x 5"

Folding the Digikey labels... nahh.. Clipping for less bag bloat.
A 2"x3", 2"x2", 3"x3" bags are possibilities with clipped Digikey
labels.

If needed, a clear enclosure/bag containing the Digikey labels will
allow bar code scanning
But unlikely I'll do that.

Here's what I'm thinking about as an alternative to bags and
compartment trays for a wide assortment of SMD parts.

Floppy disk jewel cases
3.81" x 3.87" x 0.33"
Picture
http://www.wncsupply.com/flopjew.jpg
0.21 cents ea.

Holds the Digi label,
easy to open,
clicks closed,
room for cut tape,
easy to see quantity,
bar code scan option
and fits in floppy organizers to allow flip searching.

Just wish it was smaller but that probably would require a custom run
costing $$$..


D from BC