*Free Samples List*

[claesson92]

A lot of people all around the web asks where they can get free samples. There's a couple of lists. And, well, here's another one. (Based on other lists, and my own few findings) Don't be pissed just 'cause i copied a bit (a bit = most of it) of this Sorry if there are any dead links. If so, tell me and i'll fix it. And the same company/link might be found several times.

If there are no sample order forms or similiar. Contact the company by e-mail. Sadly many/most of them requires you to order trough/as a company. Thay don't send samples to individuals. Well, contact them by e-mail, and they might do. =)
Texas Instruments -- http://www.ti.com/
Maxim - Dallas Semiconductors -- http://www.maxim-ic.com/
Microchip -- http://www.microchip.com/
Sensirion -- http://www.sensirion.com/
ATMEL -- http://www.atmel.com/
Fairchild -- http://www.fairchildsemi.com/
Ramtron -- http://www.ramtron.com/
Analog Devices -- http://www.analog.com/productSelection/orderSamples/index.html
Bourns -- http://www.bourns.com/
National Semiconductor -- http://www.national.com/
Clare -- http://www.clare.com
RF Microwaves -- http://www.rfmd.com
FTD -- http://www.FTDIchip.com (USB Chips)
Allegro -- http://www.allegromicro.com
VLSI Solution -- http://www.vlsi.fi (mp3 chips)
MicroSemi -- http://www.microsemi.com
Princeton -- http://www.princeton.com.tw/index-e.htm
AVX (only passive components) -- http://www.avxcorp.com/RequestSample.asp
California Micro Devices -- http://www.calmicro.com/contact_us/samples_request.html
Catalyst Semiconductor -- http://www.catsemi.com/iko_bld_page.cfm?id=47
Cypress semiconductor -- http://www.cypress.com/support/mysupport.cfm
Infenion -- http://www.infineon.com/cgi/ecrm.dll/jsp/showfrontend.do?lang=EN&channel_oid=-11224
Ramtron -- http://www.ramtron.com/products/productsOptInEmail.asp
Sipex -- http://www.sipex.com/support/samples_literature.cfm
Steward (ferrites, inductive products etc.) -- http://www.steward.com/Sample_Request.asp
Supertex -- http://www.supertex.com
Reptron -- http://www.reptron.com/di/Sample.asp
Bivar -- http://www.bivar.com/html/contact.html http://www.larsenassociates.com/cac.html
Ria Electronic -- http://www.riaelectronic.com/samples.asp
SunLED -- http://www.sunled.com/RequestInfo/SamplesRequest.htm
Above Board Electronics -- http://www.aboveboardelectronics.com
Mill-Max -- http://www.mill-max.com/home/index.html
Chesrep -- http://www.chesrep.com/page2.htm
Raltron -- http://www.raltron.com/products/request.asp
Meritek USA -- http://www.meritekusa.com/sample.php
Murata Europe -- http://www.murata-europe.com/contact/samples.html
Clarostat -- http://www.clarostat.com/SampleRe.nsf/SampReq?OpenForm
Molex -- http://www.molex.com
Kycon -- http://www.kycon.com/Form_Samples.html
AZ Microtek -- http://www.azmicrotek.com/samples.html
Astrorep -- http://www.astrorep.com/NYsubweb/orderform.htm
Xicor -- http://www.xicor.com/form_sample_requests.php
FMG Electronics -- http://www.fmgelectronics.ie/sample.htm
ElecTec -- http://www.electec.com/samples.html
BHEL Electronics -- http://www.bhelectronics.com/transformer-qtrpak-request.html
Sager -- http://www.sager.com/
Marshall -- http://www.marshall.com/
Lambind -- http://www.lambind.com/request.shtml
Edgecards -- https://www.edgecards.com/ordersamples.php
Onsemi -- http://www.onsemi.com
Tamweb -- http://www.tamweb.com/Samples,%20Literature.htm
Promor -- http://www.promor.com/requesta.htm
Crystal -- http://www.crystal.com/design/products/samples/
Burr-Brown -- http://www.burr-brown.com/
Philips Logic -- http://www.philipslogic.com/order/sample/
CentralSemi -- http://www.centralsemi.com
Cirrus -- http://www.cirrus.com/design/products/samples/
LittelFuse -- http://www.littelfuse.com/Products/samplesElect.asp
Fox Online -- http://www.foxonline.com/forms/noncryqu_4X.asp
Vitelel Electronics -- http://www.vitelelectronics.com/ulinear.htm
SemTech -- http://www.semtech.com/press/pa_082401.html
OKW -- http://www.okw.co.uk/catalogue/sample/sample_form.htm
CarlingTech -- http://www.carlingtech.com/contact/quote.asp
MXCom -- http://www.mxcom.com
Allegro -- http://www.allegromicro.com/control/prodline.htm
Agere -- http://www.agere.com/pmap/requests.html
Heyco -- http://www.heyco.com/sample.htm
Elantec -- http://www.elantec.com/pages/samples.html
TekNational -- http://www.teknational.com/form_response.html
FCI Connect -- http://www.fciconnect.com/basics/basics_america/basics_america_01.asp
BPT Fittings -- http://www.bptfittings.com/Cust_Service/SamplesForm12.html
FTDI Chip (Might not be free) -- http://www.ftdichip.com/FTSalesNetwork.htm
Sensirion -- http://www.sensirion.com/
ITW/Fastex -- http://www.itw-fastex.com/catalog.html
RIA Connect -- http://www.riaconnect.com/samples.html
PacTec Enclosures -- http://www.pactecenclosures.com/free_sample.lfml
Cirrus Logic -- http://www.cirrus.com/en/request/smp/sreq.jsp
Linear Technologies -- http://www.linear.com/
Freescale (previously Motorola) -- http://www.freescale.com/files/abstract/help_page/SAMPLES_FAQS.htm
Philips Semi -- http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/
ST Microelectronics -- http://www.st.com/
Cypress -- http://www.cypress.com/
Vishay -- http://www.vishay.com/
Intersil -- http://www.intersil.com/
New Age Enclosures -- http://www.newageenclosures.com/purchase.htm
Hammond Manufacturing -- http://www.hammfg.com/
Micro Metals -- http://www.micrometals.com/samples_index.html
Marktech Optoelectronics -- http://www.marktechopto.com/
Philips LumiLED's -- http://www.lumileds.com/
Purdy Electronics -- http://www.purdyelectronics.com/
RichCo Inc -- http://www.richco-inc.com/sampleframes.asp/
Agilent -- http://www.semiconductor.agilent.com
AVX -- http://www.avxcorp.com/RequestSample.asp
California Micro Devices -- http://www.calmicro.com/contact_us/samples_request.html
Catalyst Semiconductor -- http://www.catsemi.com/need_a_sample/index.html
Sipex -- http://www.sipex.com/products/samples.aspx
Supertex -- http://www.supertex.com/contact_form/sample_request
Clare -- http://www.clare.com
Zilog -- http://www.zilog.com
Coilcraft -- http://www.coilcraft.com/
Hittie -- http://www.hittite.com/index.cfm
CML Micro -- http://www.cmlmicro.com
Holtek -- http://www.holtek.com/english/contact/contact.htm
System General -- http://www.sg.com.tw/semiGP/sample_E.asp
Bivar http://www.bivar.com/
MillMax -- http://www.mill-max.com
Chesrep -- http://www.chesrep.com
Avnet -- http://www.avnet.com
Promor -- http://www.promor.com
TAM -- http://www.tamweb.com
Central Semiconductors -- http://www.centralsemi.com
SMD INC. -- http://www.smdinc.com
Pericom -- http://www.pericom.com
Elesta -- http://www.elestarelays.com
Pacentec -- http://www.pactecenclosures.com
Sensitron -- http://www.sensitron.com
Bergquist -- http://www.bergquistcompany.com
Cooperet -- http://www.cooperet.com
NorthWest Components -- http://www.northwestcomponents.com
ERG -- http://www.ergpower.com
EM Microelectronics -- http://www.emmarin.com
Eswitch -- http://www.e-switch.com
ON Shore -- http://www.on-shore.com
AAVID Thermal Alloy -- http://www.aavidthermalloy.com
Epcos -- http://www.epcos.com
Fordata -- http://www.fordata.cn
TRA CON -- http://www.tra-con.com
WJ Communications -- http://www.wjcommunications.com
NJR -- http://www.njr.com
Wurth Elektronix -- http://www.we-online.com
Spectra Symbol -- http://www.spectrasymbol.com
Cirrus Logic -- http://www.cirrus.com
FreeScale -- http://www.freescale.com
Tyco -- http://www.amp.com
Elfa (Not sure they give samples) -- http://www.elfa.se/en/
This list will be updated from time to time. Found dead links? Any link you want to add to the list? Send a reply in this thread. Or send me a PM.

[airman00]

this is an old topic , so I just wanna remind everyone to post any new free samples links

I will look for some today and add them

[TrickyNekro]

I think this topic must be pinned....



Somewhere..........

[garriwilson]

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robot_parts_list.shtml

There maybe? To the free samples link, maybe admin could have 2 links to the free samples.

[krich]

If I have an addition, should I just post here?  Is the OP going to update/maintain the list?

Samtec sent me some sample connectors, no questions asked, via UPS Next Day Air.  I also got quotes on connectors in under 24 hours.  These guys are on the ball.  Not sure of their policy for "recurring" samples.

http://www.samtec.com/

[Admin]

I just added this to the parts list page.

Remember, free samples should never be abused. Only take what you plan to use.

[JSH21]

I am guessing we have to pay for shipping? 

[airman00]

I am guessing we have to pay for shipping? 

usually not

Remember, free samples should never be abused. Only take what you plan to use.

Definitely

[emmannuel]

I had actually received some parts from TI this week. 

I filled out their form expecting to not receive anything but as a student I got the 6 chips I was curious about

[JSH21]

Texas Instruments also sent me 2 chips that i was interested in and sent it the very next day. Very cool people

[Rand alThor]

I guess that TI can afford to do more of it because it's a pretty big company. It sells calculators that are well known (I think), and every other- other (maybe another other) electronic device has a chip in TI in it. But yes, that doesn't mean ANYONE should abuse it! If we lose the big companies, what do we have left?

[MaltiK]

Do any of those sites give out free perfboards? Im broke and need one .

[cooldog]

http://www.newageenclosures.com

they sould be taken off the list they don't give free samples anymore

see for your self

http://www.newageenclosures.com/cart.php?m=checkout

[cooldog]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Free_Electronic_Samples/

i don't know if these have already been put in but it gives a description of many sample companies as well as reviews of different suppliers

[SmAsH]

just wanted to add two things, not sure if theyre useful but...
http://www.dutchforce.com/~eforum/index.php?showtopic=13348
and some damn good rules

I suppose there are ethics to requesting free samples. Here are some of my personal rules:
1) NEVER resell samples. I see lots of eBay listings for chips in quantities that match the max sample quantities of some vendors. It pisses me off. (Of course, this COULD be another "sample channel" officially endorsed by the vendor. But it doesn't look that way.)
2) Don't lie more than necessary. I think making up a company name is fine, but inventing 10000 fellow employees and a product that will sell 10k/year of a chip is over the line. (This has been especially interesting as I've transitions from student to engineer at unknown company to engineer at extemely well-known company. These days If I ask for a sample, I'm likely to get a phone call from an enthusiastic salesperson hoping for a win in our next big product, and I usually explain that no, the best they can hope for from me is to get inserted into some odd piece of custom lab gear.)
3) Don't be greedy. Some vendors limit you to so many samples per month, or per order. That doesn't mean you should submit new sample orders every month, or order the maximum number of samples allowed. (OTOH, be aware that for many of the chips we're talking about, the order processing and shipping costs more than the chips themselves...)
4) Spread Good Publicity. If you pubish a project that used a sample, be sure to say nice things about their product. If you can't find something nice to say about a chip you sampled, you probably shouldn't say anything at all. ("Don't look a gift horse in the mouth"?)

Not sure of their policy for "recurring" samples.

they seem to be ok with it, i got two different shipments of headers within the space of 10 days
these guys are on the ball, im in australia and i got my headers within 3 days of placing the order!

And remember to post a link if you find one not on the list

[mdmedlin]

I have to add that I have been getting samples and working for a well known company, I have had vendors call asking for me.  I told our receptionist if she gets any of those calls that she will give me the message.  I even put in for some samples of conduit and the vendor actually came to the company, dropped off a box of swag and left me his card!!  Unfortuately for him, we already have a list of authorized vendors, but at least I can look at the catalog and see if there is anything we need.  Oh by the way, I sent for samples from Molex and they sent me everything I need for my robot

[Joker94]

do you have to pay for shipping if you order from molex or do you just leave the postage account number blank

[mdmedlin]

I think you only have to pay for shipping if you want fedex or ups.  I used snail mail and got mine no prob

[Joker94]

thanks i'll have another look

[Joker94]

Texas instruments are really good, the day after i order my temp sensors they were shipped, and it is only going to take 6days to get the package from america to australia