The rolling shutdowns are starting to have a serious toll on the electronics industry. I'm in the middle of buying a kit of parts for a CNC controller and it has taken me days to locate small quantities of some items. The normally cheap Chinese sources are price gouging to the tune of 5x the normal prices, especially on automotive related components.
If you thought finding obscure bits for audio builds was challenging, try finding an LM4801-Q1 ideal diode. This part is in current high volume production at TI and yet delivery to the usual wholesalers isn't expected until May 2023. Similarly the ZXTR2012Z-7 regulator has become unobtainium. These are parts for which there is no substitute or second source.
The one that surprised me the most though was the ATXMEGA192A3U micro. Evidently Microchip are also wedged. I managed to find ONE ATXMEGA256 at 4x usual retail and grabbed it without hesitation in order to at least test the protoype.
So for the next year this project is on hold, tying up thousands of dollars. It's the end of the world as we know it.
If you thought finding obscure bits for audio builds was challenging, try finding an LM4801-Q1 ideal diode. This part is in current high volume production at TI and yet delivery to the usual wholesalers isn't expected until May 2023. Similarly the ZXTR2012Z-7 regulator has become unobtainium. These are parts for which there is no substitute or second source.
The one that surprised me the most though was the ATXMEGA192A3U micro. Evidently Microchip are also wedged. I managed to find ONE ATXMEGA256 at 4x usual retail and grabbed it without hesitation in order to at least test the protoype.
So for the next year this project is on hold, tying up thousands of dollars. It's the end of the world as we know it.
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I see production being prioritised for defence and high revenue markets. Mouser's spread of components are getting sparser and distribution seems to come from the US now (rather than UK/EU mouser stocks).
I've prioritised in fixing the things I have rather than finish the new development given stocks and the prices.
I've prioritised in fixing the things I have rather than finish the new development given stocks and the prices.
Try Arico PLCs, good.
Very competent, well made, good service here.
Was about $100 less than Japanese in Taiwan.
So are Mitsubishi, and of course Fuji Fanuc.
Siemens is also good.
Omron, Panasonic (!), and some other makes were also good.
Very competent, well made, good service here.
Was about $100 less than Japanese in Taiwan.
So are Mitsubishi, and of course Fuji Fanuc.
Siemens is also good.
Omron, Panasonic (!), and some other makes were also good.
No question there's big trouble in microprocessor land. We just shelved a finished product design because part lead times were over a year out.
I'm now seeing Chinese mainland sellers on ebay trying to move Raspberry Pi 3B boards for AU$350 each. Big trouble? Major catastrophe more like it.
I think if you asked what would be the worst thing to happen after Covid I would have to vote for invade Ukraine and take out production there.
Sort of glad I do not need anything. I am looking for a 20 year old Honda Civic with Manual. Not about to buy a new car the way things are going.
Sort of glad I do not need anything. I am looking for a 20 year old Honda Civic with Manual. Not about to buy a new car the way things are going.
Mine are still coming from the Hong Kong office.
Very wise. A time to consolidate, to reflect on the meaning of life, and to offload stuff that you might otherwise not be able to sell.
There's a reason I own a 1984 diesel truck and a 1994 VW van with dual fuel. 🙂
Airheaded preppers dig holes in their back garden. Smart ones move to the country, buy old cars and grow their own vegetables.
The only viable way to produce prototypes is to design around what is available and buy as you go along. I wouldn't bother trying to produce an electronic product unless your willing to buy your whole production run of parts in the same manner.
things have reversed totally , first you see what is available, then decide ( and even buy) and design. either you buy the newest announced part, that has not yet gotten into the automotive design stream, or use vintage and chinese copied material. creativity times !
In my case the product is an existing open source design, and I had ordered the boards from China before starting to buy parts. And yes, I normally buy enough parts for a small run even if my needs are for one item, since the rest can always be sold on ebay, or to enthusiastic friends. Any more than 10 boards is generally beyond my means as a retiree / pensioner.
1994 T4 Transporter is the Audi 5-cyl petrol version with after market LPG. I've happily jumped in it and driven 3000km without thinking, it's so reliable.
The diesel is an ex-Japan 1984 Isuzu Elf 250 van that I use to move large stuff around. It has a lifter on the back too so it's great for moving furniture and ride-on mowers and so on. It was a food delivery vehicle so it has a stainless steel enclosed back. Another very reliable and easy-to-fix vehicle.