Post by thread:[PIC]: Proper handling when mailing programmed ch

As far as maintaining static conscious protective handling of a programmed PIC, if I want to mail one to someone after it's programmed, would there be any preference to mounting it on conductive foam vs storing it in those static protective plastic tubes they are originally shipped in? -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use spam_OUTlistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

----- Original Message ----- From: "Lorick" <.....lorickKILLspam@spam@AIR.ON.CA> To: <PICLISTKILLspamMITVMA.MIT.EDU> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2000 1:23 PM Subject: [PIC]: Proper handling when mailing programmed chips out? > As far as maintaining static conscious protective handling of a programmed > PIC, if I want to mail one to someone after it's programmed, would there be > any preference to mounting it on conductive foam vs storing it in those > static protective plastic tubes they are originally shipped in? Personally I use tubes because then you can just stuff them in a padded bag and post them. If you use foam then it's advisable to box them so they can have some chance of surviving the mailtruck-driveover test. You may laugh, I once received a package of /very/ squashed bits with the tyremark still on it, and the bloody delivery company (Securicor, let's name the guilty) still tried to deny liability. Guess which company we've never used since... . -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use .....listservKILLspam.....mitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

At 08:23 AM 10/2/00 -0400, Lorick wrote: >As far as maintaining static conscious protective handling of a programmed >PIC, if I want to mail one to someone after it's programmed, would there be >any preference to mounting it on conductive foam vs storing it in those >static protective plastic tubes they are originally shipped in? Yes! If you ship the chip in foam, there is a very good chance it will arrive with the leads squashed. Been there, done that. I use short sections of plastic IC rail with tape over the ends - have had no problems to date. dwayne Dwayne Reid <EraseMEdwaynerspam_OUTTakeThisOuTplanet.eon.net> Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax Celebrating 16 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2000) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address. This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email. -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use listservspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

If you use anything but a hard plastic container in a padded envelope marked "Delicate Instruments" it will always arrive completely compressed. The US Postal service has been hired by the IC manufacturers to convert all DIL packages to SMT packaging. ;-)) I have a whole wall of parts the US Postal service has transformed. It is aptly named the US Postal "Wall of Fame!" There are even a few UPS (Brown Shirt Nazis) packages there too. Ed -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use @spam@listservKILLspammitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

Find a small piece of polystyrene foam, go to kitchen and find the roll of aluminium foil, liberate a piece sufficient to cover the foam. Cover the foam. Take the PIC and push its leads through the aluminimum foil into the foam. Place in Jiffy Bag received with components from your favorite Distributor. Seal, Label attach Stamps and mail. If it costs nowt its the reet price, if it costs owt its expensive Cheers Chris > At 08:23 AM 10/2/00 -0400, Lorick wrote: > >As far as maintaining static conscious protective handling of a programmed > >PIC, if I want to mail one to someone after it's programmed, would there be {Quote hidden}> >any preference to mounting it on conductive foam vs storing it in those > >static protective plastic tubes they are originally shipped in? > > Yes! If you ship the chip in foam, there is a very good chance it will > arrive with the leads squashed. Been there, done that. > > I use short sections of plastic IC rail with tape over the ends - have had > no problems to date. > > dwayne > > > -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use KILLspamlistservKILLspammitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

At 04:04 PM 10/2/00 EDT, you wrote: >If you use anything but a hard plastic container in a padded envelope marked >"Delicate Instruments" it will always arrive completely compressed. The US >Postal service has been hired by the IC manufacturers to convert all DIL >packages to SMT packaging. ;-)) Don't try to slip it into a regular envelope, it seems like the Post Office uses some kind of equipment with rollers to handle flat mail. If you are *lucky* the chip just gets flattened. If you use a cheap envelope, it might get squeezed out the side so an empty envelope with an exit wound arrives. I have not tried mailer tubes, but they look as if they would work well. Padded envelopes are not bad. Best regards, =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" RemoveMEspeffTakeThisOuTinterlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com Contributions invited->The AVR-gcc FAQ is at: http://www.bluecollarlinux.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use spamBeGonelistservspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

Lorick wrote: > > As far as maintaining static conscious protective handling of a programmed > PIC, if I want to mail one to someone after it's programmed, would there be > any preference to mounting it on conductive foam vs storing it in those > static protective plastic tubes they are originally shipped in? > > -- > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > use RemoveMElistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST I always use the portions of the original tubes so that the chips can handle the "rough" mail handling. To be on the safe side, I also wrap the tube in antistatic bubble wrap. Think of the notion "if they can get damaged - they will" -- Best regards Tony ICmicro's http://www.picnpoke.com salesEraseME.....picnpoke.com -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use EraseMElistservmitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

>I have a whole wall of parts the US Postal service has transformed. It is >aptly named the US Postal "Wall of Fame!" There are even a few UPS (Brown >Shirt Nazis) packages there too. HUAHUAHUAHUHAUHAUHA, SS is alive again? The evil SSers against the innocent mail? --------------8<-------Corte aqui-------8<-------------- All the best!!! Alexandre Souza RemoveMExandinhoEraseMEEraseMEinterlink.com.br --------------8<-------Corte aqui-------8<-------------- -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use RemoveMElistservspam_OUTKILLspammitvma.mit.edu?bodyT%20PICList%20DIGEST

Try this: Pack it in, let's say, conductive foam (for now.) Put a couple small pieces of wood in next to it, one on either side. (Split a 1"x2" chunk in half? Or route a chip-sized hole into the wood block.) Tape into a safe, cohesive whole. (Leave obvious tags to be merciful to the recipient; I detest getting a bubble-wrap package that's next to impossible to open...) The wood's pretty much truck-proof (well, mostly.) I've shipped many palmtops and chip programmers with wood blocks inside the envelope, no damage yet. GOOD idea to tape the envelope/box shut thoroughly, however - Don't trust Postal Service "self-sealing" boxes to STAY sealed, they almost always do, but that once is a PAIN. Can do the same thing with "Popsicle sticks"; they're not as strong as a wood monoblock. Also, can take a strip of cardboard and wrap it around the chip to get the same results. Mark Lorick wrote: > As far as maintaining static conscious protective handling of a programmed > PIC, if I want to mail one to someone after it's programmed, would there be > any preference to mounting it on conductive foam vs storing it in those > static protective plastic tubes they are originally shipped in? -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! use RemoveMElistservTakeThisOuTspammitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST

The postal service uses machinery to handle all mail thinner than 1/4 inch. You must pay an extra 11 cents for mail that is thicker than 1/4 inch. Flat mail processing involves sending it through a high-speed scanner (the squisher) and around multiple bends (the bender & squisher part II) of no less than 9" in diameter. Make sure you package is blatantly over 1/4", whether it's in an envelope or box, and it won't be processed this way. It will be handled by hand through the entire postal system. All of this information is available on the usps.gov web site in PDF format, or you can go to your local post office and request any of their hundreds of manuals and documents (for free) which tells you what happens to your mail in terms of bending radius and pressure exerted externally on the mail should your letter be processed automatically. -Adam Ed Edmondson wrote: {Quote hidden}> > If you use anything but a hard plastic container in a padded envelope marked > "Delicate Instruments" it will always arrive completely compressed. The US > Postal service has been hired by the IC manufacturers to convert all DIL > packages to SMT packaging. ;-)) > > I have a whole wall of parts the US Postal service has transformed. It is > aptly named the US Postal "Wall of Fame!" There are even a few UPS (Brown > Shirt Nazis) packages there too. > > Ed > > -- > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > use EraseMElistservspamspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu?body=SET%20PICList%20DIGEST -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList RemoveMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu

Adam wrote: >The postal service uses machinery to handle all mail thinner than 1/4 inch. You >must pay an extra 11 cents for mail that is thicker than 1/4 inch. > >Flat mail processing involves sending it through a high-speed scanner (the >squisher) and around multiple bends (the bender & squisher part II) of no less >than 9" in diameter. > >Make sure you package is blatantly over 1/4", whether it's in an envelope or >box, and it won't be processed this way. It will be handled by hand through the >entire postal system. ......... > Most post offices have a slot labelled "non-letters" or "non-flatpacks", whatever. Since these can be any width, I always assumed if you put something in there, they were handled by hand rather than machine. Not even a postal employee would try to force something like that into the space between 2 rolling pins. Am I wrong? [or do they just like the sound of bubble pack popping?]. - danM -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-requestSTOPspamspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

M. Adam Davis wrote: > > The postal service uses machinery to handle all mail thinner than 1/4 inch. You > must pay an extra 11 cents for mail that is thicker than 1/4 inch. > > Flat mail processing involves sending it through a high-speed scanner (the > squisher) and around multiple bends (the bender & squisher part II) of no less > than 9" in diameter. The "squisher"!! LOL! Reminds me of my first time delivering a bulk mail to the main mail center, I stood there in amazement, in a huge warehouse filled with big metal bins the size of cars. Watching Australia Post employees "hand sort" parcels, ie, look at the label, then throw 40 feet across the room into one of numerous bins. The most successful technique involved bouncing the parcel off the back wall of the bin like a basketball shot. A small percentage of the parcels ended up on the floor, and there was a young gofer (maybe an apprentice mail thrasher) who sometimes did the rounds picking up the maverick parcels and putting them in the right bins. Seemed very time efficient. Most of the times I went there they were in all the office having coffee. I swear some of those parcels had red stickers that looked just like the normal "fragile" stickers... :o) -Roman PS. I now wrap my parcels so they can take being thrown 40 feet at a hard metal wall! -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList spamBeGonepiclist-unsubscribe-requestSTOPspamEraseMEmitvma.mit.edu

It is my understanding that unless you mark your package properly, if it fits into their machine it goes in it. My post offices have "in-town" "out of town" and "parcels". I'll assume the wording is only different due to local variations in dialect. I can see the parcel bin being sorted, and anything that looks like a letter gets thrown back in with the letters (perhaps with a mumbled, "Stupid customer, can't read..."). When shipping chips or PCBs, place a "Fragile! Glass!" sticker on it somewhere. Given that the chips have silicon (the main component in glass) in them, then you would be completely within your rights to do so. They shouldn't send it through a machine if it's very clearly labelled, with the proper oversize postage attached. -Adam Dan Michaels wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Adam wrote: > >The postal service uses machinery to handle all mail thinner than 1/4 inch. > You > >must pay an extra 11 cents for mail that is thicker than 1/4 inch. > > > >Flat mail processing involves sending it through a high-speed scanner (the > >squisher) and around multiple bends (the bender & squisher part II) of no less > >than 9" in diameter. > > > >Make sure you package is blatantly over 1/4", whether it's in an envelope or > >box, and it won't be processed this way. It will be handled by hand > through the > >entire postal system. > ......... > > > > Most post offices have a slot labelled "non-letters" or "non-flatpacks", > whatever. Since these can be any width, I always assumed if you put > something in there, they were handled by hand rather than machine. > > Not even a postal employee would try to force something like that > into the space between 2 rolling pins. Am I wrong? [or do they just > like the sound of bubble pack popping?]. > > - danM > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList > KILLspampiclist-unsubscribe-requestspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList EraseMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestEraseMEmitvma.mit.edu

If you are really nervous about sending that chip you can get U or square profile steel slightly larger than the chip width and height and cut a piece 1 1/2" long of it. Wrap the chip in aluminium foil and insert in hollow then mail in a small padded envelope. I suppose this is truckprof. Hehe. It has never occured to me that there may be delivery services that run a truck over a package and then refuse to acknowledge this (except in this country of course, where they drop the packages in the box behind a scooter's saddle and drive onto/off the curb(s) 10-20 times with it inside at the very least). Sometimes our packages contain shock sensitive electro-optics and cameras. Aargh. Peter -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList @spam@piclist-unsubscribe-request@spam@spam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

That's when it pays to purchase the externally visible shock sensors. They have dye in a plastic plate. When the package is subject to over the rated shock in G's it changes color. Since it is external and you shipped it with insurance, you just hand the package back to them w/o opening it and ask for your money. -Adam "Peter L. Peres" wrote: {Quote hidden}> > If you are really nervous about sending that chip you can get U or square > profile steel slightly larger than the chip width and height and cut a > piece 1 1/2" long of it. Wrap the chip in aluminium foil and insert in > hollow then mail in a small padded envelope. I suppose this is truckprof. > Hehe. > > It has never occured to me that there may be delivery services that run a > truck over a package and then refuse to acknowledge this (except in this > country of course, where they drop the packages in the box behind a > scooter's saddle and drive onto/off the curb(s) 10-20 times with it inside > at the very least). Sometimes our packages contain shock sensitive > electro-optics and cameras. Aargh. > > Peter > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList > spamBeGonepiclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList .....piclist-unsubscribe-requestspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

>When shipping chips or PCBs, place a "Fragile! Glass!" sticker on it >somewhere. Given that the chips have silicon (the main component in glass) in Was it not someone on this list who marked things "radioactive" so it got delivered by the FBI??? Perhaps that is what you should mark it. "FRAGILE - CONTAMINATION HAZARD IF BROKEN" -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: "[PIC]:" PIC only "[EE]:" engineering "[OT]:" off topic "[AD]:" ad's

>g-shock warning device (dye tube) I know those, they are used on relatively fragile equipment here (esp. when it is rented). They are not an option for small packages (courier delivery) although it is insured. If we'd have to wait for the post office we'd go out of business. FYI a postcard makes 15 days from Toronto to here (there are daily flights, and I count post office there to POB in their premises here). By parcel it would be there/here tomorrow. Peter -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: "[PIC]:" PIC only "[EE]:" engineering "[OT]:" off topic "[AD]:" ad's