[Elecraft] Re: IC pins

[Don]

< Anyway, it occurs to me (and has often occurred to me) why do we have to 
reform the pins on ICs?  How come they aren't manufactured the "right" 
shape?  I <
< go into ESD-panic mode every time I have to re-form them and some have 
been a complete pain to match up to their socket.


 This is just a wild guess.  The  IC's are manufactured for direct insertion 
in pc boards ( no sockets ) by automated machinery.  The machines grip the 
ic's in a way that exactly positions the pins by pinching them inward a 
small amount.  This would not work unless the leads were spaced a little too 
wide in the first place.   *This is just a stab in the dark and I am sure 
there is someone on the list who actually *knows the reason.

Don K7FJ