Author Topic: Electronic Component Organization (Read 18934 times)

pomprocker · « **on:** January 14, 2009, 10:20:56 PM »

OK, How do you all organize your electronic components?

I now have way to many components!!!

Do you organize them generally like resistors, capacitors, etc

or do you go down and separate components by specs.

Also do you store your semiconductor components in antistatic bags?

Also what do you use to store your stuff in?

do you label the drawers or compartments with the stickers that the component came in from mouser/digikey whatever?

I have a little plastic parts thing, but I am outgrowing it!!

Razor Concepts · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2009, 10:28:54 PM »

Huge resistor assortment in indiviudal bags (so it's easy to find). It took a while but worth it in the end (reading resistors and labeling 50+ bags is no fun). Smaller assortments of stuff are just jumbled into bags (but i have an inventory of them on paper so i know whats in them), and the odds and ends just get thrown into the plastic parts thing.

pomprocker · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2009, 10:36:32 PM »

Where do you keep all the baggies?

I kinda want something i can carry around

maybe something biiig like this:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1287041&cp=&sr=1&kw=parts+box&origkw=parts+box&parentPage=search&searchId=34904593733

but i have one already that is plastic like that and it kinda has static around it all the time...that can't be good for semiconductors

airman00 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2009, 10:39:44 PM »

I've got this type of drawer thing. Everything separate and labeled.

pomprocker · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2009, 12:00:23 AM »

wow thats impressive!! is that actually yours? looks like your stashing candy away

Quote from: airman00 on January 14, 2009, 10:39:44 PM

I've got this type of drawer thing. Everything separate and labeled.

Ro-Bot-X · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2009, 07:00:24 AM »

I don't know if it's Airman's but those are not candy, they are beads! My wife is creating small jewelry from beads so I know them. She has a multicompartment tray I got for her beads, but usually they are all over the place. As for my electronics, since I moved 2 times in the past 2 years, I had to leave behind my drawer organiser. In a while I will be getting one similar to Airman's. But for now, my parts are in bags, some organised, some not.

airman00 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2009, 09:27:29 AM »

Na its not mine, I just found a picture online.
I have one of those tiny shelf drawers I linked you to above.
and I have the drawer thing in this picture I took a while ago - http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj202/erobot/My%20Robots%20and%20other%20Cool%20Stuff/?action=view&current=Picture85.jpg

I'm remaking my lab in a few months and I'm going to get a bunch of these:

fuzzyt · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2009, 11:07:25 AM »

Recently came up with a solution for most of my parts:

First of all, I started with an 8 compartment bankers box ( cardboard and available at an office supply store ). I found that the small bead boxes with 16 - 20 small compartments fit really well into the bankers box. So now i have a bead box with just resistors, one with caps, semiconductors, chips, and then again with SMD stuff.

The bankers box sits on top of a large rolling 4 drawer plastic cabinet that holds tools and other larger odds and ends.

The only problem was that the beed boxes slipped to far back in the bankers box, so I drilled holes and added small rope handles.

All the boxes are labled with letters, the compartments inside are numbers. A spreadsheet helps to keep me organized.

Bankers box:
http://www.dealtime.com/xPO-Fellowes-Manufacturing-Bankers-Box-8-Compartment-Literature-Sorter-19-1-2w-X-12-3-8d-X-10-1-4h-FEL6100301

Rolling cabinet:
http://www.target.com/Sterilite-Wide-3-Drawer-Cart-White/dp/B000MPQ2S2/sr=1-5/qid=1232038977/ref=sr_1_5/191-1604648-8683267?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=725415011&rh=k%3Astorage&page=1

Bead box:

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2119&PRODID=prd53261

Hope this wasn't to much..

pomprocker · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2009, 11:17:02 AM »

this is all good stuff. I think I will just buy more of the beadtype container that i have. I will just try to keep the stuff in the labeled plastic baggies they come in from mouser/digikey and that should work

pomprocker · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2009, 11:54:12 AM »

interesting

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultimate-Parts-Storage/

GearMotion · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2009, 12:05:20 PM »

This is what I do (picture of MANY parts drawers) for passive components.

http://circuitgizmos.com/wordpress/?p=253

Many active components I have in static bags/foam and then in labeled 3x3x1 cases.

pomprocker · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2009, 04:38:20 PM »

wow, that's like a dream lab. i would not mind spending a lot of my time at that place

SmAsH · « **Reply #12 on:** April 09, 2009, 05:20:05 PM »

i just use fishing tackle boxes, and then put them into my drawer. but i would love to get my hands on one of those bead holder things airman00 posted or the other thing he posted!

Webbot · « **Reply #13 on:** April 09, 2009, 05:34:07 PM »

I use a whole bunch of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29163

dellagd · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2009, 06:17:27 PM »

Quote from: GearMotion on April 09, 2009, 12:05:20 PM

This is what I do (picture of MANY parts drawers) for passive components.

http://circuitgizmos.com/wordpress/?p=253

Many active components I have in static bags/foam and then in labeled 3x3x1 cases.

I wish I had a lab...

All I have now is basically a table in a basement (with shelfs. lots of shelfs)

frank26080115 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 09, 2009, 06:30:32 PM »

My secret to keeping loose parts? Sponges! But only use them for passive components.

SmAsH · « **Reply #16 on:** April 09, 2009, 06:34:13 PM »

Quote from: frank26080115 on April 09, 2009, 06:30:32 PM

My secret to keeping loose parts? Sponges! But only use them for passive components.

hah, nice. also packaging foam works well too!

GearMotion · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2009, 07:49:24 AM »

Quote from: pomprocker on April 09, 2009, 04:38:20 PM

wow, that's like a dream lab. i would not mind spending a lot of my time at that place

Thanks! It is a fun place to work.

madchimp · « **Reply #18 on:** April 11, 2009, 03:24:48 AM »

Quote from: GearMotion on April 09, 2009, 12:05:20 PM

http://circuitgizmos.com/wordpress/?p=253

All I can say is wow! Do you need an assistant? lol

SmAsH · « **Reply #19 on:** April 11, 2009, 03:49:53 AM »

if i marry you does that mean i can use that workshop gearmotion?

that place must be worth tonnes, and can you get enough zip ties?!!

GearMotion · « **Reply #20 on:** April 11, 2009, 12:03:30 PM »

Quote from: SmAsH on April 11, 2009, 03:49:53 AM

if i marry you does that mean i can use that workshop gearmotion? that place must be worth tonnes, and can you get enough zip ties?!!

I think I'll completely ignore that first part...

As for the second part: Apparently I can't get enough zip ties.

Yes, there are some things I have a lifetime supply of, for various reasons.

SmAsH · « **Reply #21 on:** April 11, 2009, 03:25:22 PM »

aww dammit, i guess it is good to buy some things in bulk for discounts etc... but damn!

GearMotion · « **Reply #22 on:** April 11, 2009, 04:58:16 PM »

Quote from: SmAsH on April 11, 2009, 03:25:22 PM

aww dammit, i guess it is good to buy some things in bulk for discounts etc... but damn!

On occasion I'm afforded the opportunity to purchase in bulk. It will likely be a long, long time before I need any more ties.

I do the same with screws. I hate having 5 screws when I need 6...

SmAsH · « **Reply #23 on:** April 11, 2009, 05:57:12 PM »

lol gearmotion, (excuse my language) you lucky bastard! what is your profession?

GearMotion · « **Reply #24 on:** April 11, 2009, 06:02:22 PM »

Professional Zip Tie Juggler.

And sometimes an Embedded Designer.

SmAsH · « **Reply #25 on:** April 12, 2009, 02:42:02 AM »

beep, beep. later tonight im ordering one of these to see if there any good http://shop.voltelectronics.com.au/30-drawer-unit-parts-cabinet.html they look good to you guys?

dellagd · « **Reply #26 on:** April 12, 2009, 05:28:37 AM »

look good to me

GearMotion · « **Reply #27 on:** April 12, 2009, 07:13:41 AM »

SmAsH -

For a couple of bucks you should be able to get some little 2 inch by 3 inch (convert to a bizarre alien unit of measurement) plastic bags with zip-closed opening. (You haven't seen my bins full of these bags...)

You can write on the bag with a black sharpie and get quite a few of these bags into one drawer. This is a good way to do resistors. If you pick up an assortment, putting them in labeled bags keeps you from going nutty with searching when you need a resistor.

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/49e1e83e16990790273fc0a87e0106a9/Product/View/R7010

SmAsH · « **Reply #28 on:** April 12, 2009, 07:22:23 AM »

by zip close do you mean an actual zipper of the ones you press to seal? and btw you dont have to do my name with the caps

GearMotion · « **Reply #29 on:** April 12, 2009, 07:32:24 AM »

Quote from: SmAsH on April 12, 2009, 07:22:23 AM

by zip close do you mean an actual zipper of the ones you press to seal? and btw you dont have to do my name with the caps

Press-to-seal. "Zip-Lock" might be a common term here in the states. The littlest are the 2"x3" (50x75 mm) and fit well in the drawers. Some have a white patch that lets you write on the bag easily.

Like this:

News:

Author Topic: Electronic Component Organization (Read 18934 times)