[Elecraft] K2 IC identification

[Brett Howard]

Actually the parts do need to be proper machine readable and thus why
some of the annoying to the eye stuff is used.  We use an AOI machine
that actually takes a photo of every part and compares it to a known
good image (told to it by a person when the first "good" board was
loaded into it).  Then the computer will tell you if a part is loaded
w/ pin 1 in the wrong place and it will catch the tiniest solder
bridges or missing components or miss registered and it prints out a
rework needed report that goes off to the techs to repair those
boards.

~Brett (N7MG)

On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 8:37 PM, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>  John.
>
> Well, I suspect the situation will get even worse with a bit of time.
> The first thing I noticed was that the resistor color coding did not
> have the color saturation that was used several years ago, and then the
> printing on the ICs became more elusive.
>
> If you can think like an automated insertion machine, you will have no
> problem, just expect that 100+ parts that are NE612 will be loaded into
> your hopper by someone who only reads the label on the shipment from
> DigiKey, etc.  In that case, there is no need to read the actual device
> markings.  Manufacturers are responding to the needs of the board
> assembly houses which do not need "people readable" markings.  We hams
> will just have to be tolerant and creative in ways to order and identify
> the parts that we order.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 9/4/2010 10:26 PM, zendoc at netspace.net.au wrote:
>>
>> Hi Ross,
>>
>> I had a similar moment of worry when I looked at some of the ICs under an
>> illuminated magnifying glass and just saw a blank top with, apparently, no ID
>> markings.  Then by accident, I slightly tipped the top face of the IC away from
>> the light so the top was illuminated tangentially and voila - out popped the
>> lettering in a faint silver glow.  In my case, it seemed the silver lettering
>> was very difficult to see if illuminated directly with a bright light source.
>> Try gently re-orienting the IC under the light and see if you can make out the
>> letters any better.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> John VK7JB
>>
>>
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