I find this unacceptable too. I am going to measure the field potential on ours tomorrow. Maybe it won't hurt the parts in the reels but some one has to clean up. Since most packaging is not conductive (protective) I am concerned about possible damage to vulnerable boards and parts in the vicinity. Subject: ESD and SMT Tape/Reels - Concern Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1999 16:21:27 +0100 From: Clive ffitch <[log in to unmask]> All, I know this has been raised before, but the picture does not seem all that clear. So here goes. We have an issue with some SMT part tapes and reels being supplied using non-ESD compatible materials, where we have measured up to around 1000V on the plastic reels, or as measured on the tapes themselves when peeled back. Some plastics used do appear to be static dissipative/conductive, as do some of the black tapes, but not all. The tape/reels in question are for resistor/capacitor parts, and some SOT23s etc. When challenged, some suppliers have said this is not an issue for other people, and to re-package the parts would cost +300%, but we can have it if we pay. We assemble resistors/capacitors/discretes on the same equipment as more sensitive ESDSs, and feel sure we are not the only people with these concerns; what we want are parts supplied using ESD-safe tape and reel packaging. For the assembly of high reliability equipment, we do not want to have to resort to installing ioniser farms. However, we do not have any leverage in the market place on our own, and our order quantities are small - even insignificant - so the question is, ARE we alone? Is the rest of industry getting what it wants, or do we have to adapt our own practices to accommodate resistors and capacitors being delivered in the packaging that suppliers say we can have them in? All comments to TechNet most welcome. Clive ffitch MBUK Stevenage, England ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Gayatri Sardeshpande at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5365 ##############################################################