Reading labels on small ICs
in [Design]
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From: Spehro Pefhany on 18 Dec 2009 16:00 On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:41:36 -0800 (PST), Harry D <harryd(a)tdsystems.org> wrote: >Gentlemen of this distingushed group, > How do you read labels on small ICs such as the ThinSOT or DFN packs >that are 2mm x 3mm? > Ok, I have old eyes, soldering these pups is do able but finding >pin#1 is impossible for me even using 7X eye loupe. I know JL will say >it is no problem with his $3K Mantis and others are so rich that they >hire a tech but I am not in that group. There's got to be an easier >way, say <$300. > Former member needs help; > Harry D. Hi, Harry:- Us (we?) myopic folks just take off our glasses and get really, really close. ;-) I wonder if it's mostly the lighting that is causing problems- the laser marking they are using these days is pretty hard to see even under ideal conditions. Maybe a surplus fiber optic illuminator and light it from the side? More light is good for old eyes. Eg. (they are probably not the best supplier, but it's a photo of what I'm talking aboot): http://www.coleparmer.com/catalog/product_view.asp?sku=4150050&pfx=
From: Chuck Olson on 18 Dec 2009 16:06 "Harry D" <harryd(a)tdsystems.org> wrote in message news:42987c77-ce23-4e80-adb8-0641bda7bebd(a)y10g2000prg.googlegroups.com... > Gentlemen of this distingushed group, > How do you read labels on small ICs such as the ThinSOT or DFN packs > that are 2mm x 3mm? > Ok, I have old eyes, soldering these pups is do able but finding > pin#1 is impossible for me even using 7X eye loupe. I know JL will say > it is no problem with his $3K Mantis and others are so rich that they > hire a tech but I am not in that group. There's got to be an easier > way, say <$300. > Former member needs help; > Harry D. Hi, Harry, I thought everyone who works in today's electronics had garnered for himself at least one zoom stereo microscope. They usually go for about $200 at flea markets here in Silicon Valley (San Jose, CA). On Ebay they might be a little bit more. The new Celestron 44202 at $280 is in our price range, but lacking the zoom feature is a terrible handicap. IMHO 20X and 40X power levels are much too high for most electronics work - - I find myself using 7X most of the time. Over the years, I've encountered enough industrial salvage to populate every work bench I own with at least one Bausch & Lomb Stereozoom 4, and more recently I had the good fortune to spot an Olympus ZS4045 with a pair of Olympus GSWH10X/22 eyepieces and a ringlight for $160. The view through that thing is breathtaking! Looking through these instruments, if something is written, you'll be able to read it. They open up whole new worlds of possibility in electronic and almost any other area you can imagine. I find one almost indispensable for removing a sliver! I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know when I say, "If you can see it, you can do it". I just looked at Ebay - - don't buy one with 15X eyepieces - - 10X eyepieces are what you want. It should be complete with a stand - - there's a very nice 0.7X - 3X with 10X eyepieces on Ebay with a glass platform on a high-base stand that provides bottom illumination, but you probably won't use the bottom light much - - the stand will accommodate a Kohler illuminator for top lighting or a ringlight and they don't cost a whole lot. Don't buy a Stereozoom 6 - - in my experience field illumination is poor so they are not worth the extra cost. Good luck to you, Chuck
From: Martin Riddle on 18 Dec 2009 16:22 "Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)My-Web-Site.com/Snicker> wrote in message news:g1pni5lbobvam1mberhsjqq5cqmi5mrun9(a)4ax.com... > On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:15:52 -0500, "Martin Riddle" > <martin_rid(a)verizon.net> wrote: > >> >> >>"Harry D" <harryd(a)tdsystems.org> wrote in message >>news:42987c77-ce23-4e80-adb8-0641bda7bebd(a)y10g2000prg.googlegroups.com... >>> Gentlemen of this distingushed group, >>> How do you read labels on small ICs such as the ThinSOT or DFN packs >>> that are 2mm x 3mm? >>> Ok, I have old eyes, soldering these pups is do able but finding >>> pin#1 is impossible for me even using 7X eye loupe. I know JL will >>> say >>> it is no problem with his $3K Mantis and others are so rich that >>> they >>> hire a tech but I am not in that group. There's got to be an easier >>> way, say <$300. >>> Former member needs help; >>> Harry D. >> >>I use an Optivisor. >><http://www.doneganoptical.com/optivisor.php> >>Get the hight power 2x or 3x lens. >> >>Cheers >> >> > > That's what I have. Bought my pair around 1980. I sometimes use them > PLUS my reading glasses ;-) > > ...Jim Thompson > -- I'm surprised that Digikey and Mouser don�t carry these. I only see it listed in Mcmaster. <http://www.mcmaster.com/#headband-magnifiers/=4zmoob> Cheers
From: Jim Thompson on 18 Dec 2009 17:14 On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:22:23 -0500, "Martin Riddle" <martin_rid(a)verizon.net> wrote: > > >"Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)My-Web-Site.com/Snicker> >wrote in message news:g1pni5lbobvam1mberhsjqq5cqmi5mrun9(a)4ax.com... >> On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:15:52 -0500, "Martin Riddle" >> <martin_rid(a)verizon.net> wrote: >> >>> >>> >>>"Harry D" <harryd(a)tdsystems.org> wrote in message >>>news:42987c77-ce23-4e80-adb8-0641bda7bebd(a)y10g2000prg.googlegroups.com... >>>> Gentlemen of this distingushed group, >>>> How do you read labels on small ICs such as the ThinSOT or DFN packs >>>> that are 2mm x 3mm? >>>> Ok, I have old eyes, soldering these pups is do able but finding >>>> pin#1 is impossible for me even using 7X eye loupe. I know JL will >>>> say >>>> it is no problem with his $3K Mantis and others are so rich that >>>> they >>>> hire a tech but I am not in that group. There's got to be an easier >>>> way, say <$300. >>>> Former member needs help; >>>> Harry D. >>> >>>I use an Optivisor. >>><http://www.doneganoptical.com/optivisor.php> >>>Get the hight power 2x or 3x lens. >>> >>>Cheers >>> >>> >> >> That's what I have. Bought my pair around 1980. I sometimes use them >> PLUS my reading glasses ;-) >> >> ...Jim Thompson >> -- > >I'm surprised that Digikey and Mouser don�t carry these. I only see it >listed in Mcmaster. ><http://www.mcmaster.com/#headband-magnifiers/=4zmoob> > >Cheers > > Get the kids away from your monitor, then go to... http://www.analog-innovations.com/SED/OptiVisorMonster.jpg ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, CTO | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | | | Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat | | E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | Help save the environment! Please dispose of socialism properly!
From: linnix on 18 Dec 2009 17:16
On Dec 18, 1:00 pm, Spehro Pefhany <speffS...(a)interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> wrote: > On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:41:36 -0800 (PST), Harry D > > <har...(a)tdsystems.org> wrote: > >Gentlemen of this distingushed group, > > How do you read labels on small ICs such as the ThinSOT or DFN packs > >that are 2mm x 3mm? > > Ok, I have old eyes, soldering these pups is do able but finding > >pin#1 is impossible for me even using 7X eye loupe. I know JL will say > >it is no problem with his $3K Mantis and others are so rich that they > >hire a tech but I am not in that group. There's got to be an easier > >way, say <$300. > > Former member needs help; > > Harry D. > > Hi, Harry:- > > Us (we?) myopic folks just take off our glasses and get really, really > close. ;-) > > I wonder if it's mostly the lighting that is causing problems- the > laser marking they are using these days is pretty hard to see even > under ideal conditions. Maybe a surplus fiber optic illuminator and > light it from the side? More light is good for old eyes. > Yes, I can usually read better with direct sunlight. I can even read the fine prints on them, but usually just for orientations. |