Hi Steve! Had a great Father's day - how my 6.5 month old dragged that bottle of scotch in I do not understand, but I'll take it. Whoo-hoo! As for MSL levels, we are seeing some of the same thing I think you are. We buy lots of parts through distributors, who repackage them in the small quantities we need. The packaging they use sometimes indicates a MSL level a couple of values higher than it should. Just a few days ago our SMT operator had me check one where he had two packages, one indicating MSL=2, one indicating MSL=3, and when I checked the Ti web site it showed a MSL=1. I'm guessing the distributor is being overcautious and/or marking it up for lead-free processing. I agree, it's a pain - as we have to either err on the side of caution and end up baking parts that don't need to be baked, or we verify each one against the manufacturer's data. regards, Graham Collins Process Engineer, L-3 Communications Electronic Systems Inc. Halifax (902) 873-2000 ext 6215 >>> [log in to unmask] 06/20/05 12:25PM >>> Good mornin' all! I hope all you Dads out there had a wonderful Fathers Day! As I posted about a week or so ago, we're getting our stockroom personnel to really focus on component moisture sensitivity levels. But now I'm starting to get a little confused about how components are generally classified with their respective MSL ratings. I've always thought that it had to do with component body size and thickness, but now I'm finding out that it doesn't necessarily. My stockroom clerk showed me an IDT SOJ28 that came in sealed with a MSL 3 rating that we now have in our dry box because the package was opened. We have some Cypress SOJ28's and SOJ24's that are on reels that are not in original packaging, so I called Cypress and asked what the MSL rating is for the two part numbers and they are a MSL 1. Cypress gave me a link to the SRAM Qualification Report that states that. Now my stockroom clerk brought me some Vishay tantalum caps that have a MSL 2a rating label on them, and they are TNTC's. This is THE FIRST time I have ever seen a MSL label on a tantalum capacitor. Are these ratings based on qualification reports? Or can one look at the size and thickness of the part to base how you will handle it? Kind regards, -Steve Gregory- Senior Process Engineer LaBarge Incorporated Tulsa, Oklahoma (918) 459-2285 (918) 459-2350 FAX __________________________________________________________________ This message may contain information that is privileged and confidential to LaBarge, Inc. It is for use only by the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not copy, use or deliver this message to anyone. In such event, you should destroy the message and kindly notify the sender by reply e-mail. --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------