SparkFun To Manufacture Teensy

The hash marks are the same between PJRC and Sparkfun boards. If it is morse code, it would be RU and could stand for the material being UL listed perhaps, though that seems like a bit of a stretch.
 
shawn said:
I heard that they have all the parts on-hand but they’re still ramping up production. They told me about 10 days ago that it’d possibly be another 4-6 weeks.
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It seems they're back in stock, I placed an order for a bunch of T4.1 NE through sparkfun about two weeks ago as well they just shipped
 
@Paul just so you're aware:
I just got an order from SparkFun, and I think they're mixing up the lockable and non-lockable Teensys. Here's the full list of order issues. They may need some guidance from you:
1. They're not including two 3x2 headers in the Ethernet Kits. I ordered a bunch, but only a few had one header, and the rest had none. I might need some help convincing them to include two headers per kit, not one or none.
2. They're putting what looks like non-lockable Teensys in lockable bags. Unless they're not stamping them with the lock symbol? In which case, how to tell the difference?
3. They're not sealing the lockable Teensy bags with that sticker PJRC used to put on them to cover the opening.

Or... what's the best way, programmatically, to determine if a virgin Teensy 4.1 is of the lockable variety?
 
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shawn said:
Or... what's the best way, programmatically, to determine if a virgin Teensy 4.1 is of the lockable variety?
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On the PC side, in Teensy Loader, look for the messages in Help > Verbose Information. For example:

Code: 
15:39:17.116 (loader): secure mode can not be locked: this is Standard Teensy

From code running on Teensy, you would look at the fuse settings. But I need to be very careful talking about the fuses, since PJRC signed a NDA and NXP considers the "reserved" fuses confidential info (which probably doesn't make sense on from an engineering point of view... but there's no use trying to argue over matters of policy with a mega corporation).
 
PaulStoffregen said:
On the PC side, in Teensy Loader, look for the messages in Help > Verbose Information. For example:

Code: 
15:39:17.116 (loader): secure mode can not be locked: this is Standard Teensy

From code running on Teensy, you would look at the fuse settings. But I need to be very careful talking about the fuses, since PJRC signed a NDA and NXP considers the "reserved" fuses confidential info (which probably doesn't make sense on from an engineering point of view... but there's no use trying to argue over matters of policy with a mega corporation).
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Thanks for that. I can tell the difference in Teensy Loader. (I need to trigger an upload because there's no "get info about this Teensy" feature in Teensy Loader. Would that feature be possible?) Now how to convince SparkFun to label them differently...
 
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All the best to PJ & RC with "delegating" the manufacturing and sales! Hope this works out for the best for you and your team!
 
The only problem with Sparkfun for me is that they have high shipping charges to me (PL) - only Fedex > $26. I really miss good old days where I could buy Teensy 4 Purple Edition from OSH Park with $3 shipping worldwide.
 
Looks like Sparkfun has changed the packaging:
IMG_5486.jpeg
 
Pink poly does not provide adequate protection. There was a note on the SparkFun website a few days ago about shipping in different packaging, but that note seems to be gone now. Hopefully it was just a temporary packaging issue and they are back to using the normal ESD bags.
 
I just got that pink bags from DigiKey. Nowhere near to quality packaging from PJRC or OSH park
 
My last order came in pink poly as well. Besides inadequate ESD protection, the oversized thin poly bags also don't protect as well from physical damage.

The fact that the bags are preprinted makes me think it may be a permanent change unfortunately. I sent a note to SparkFun customer service expressing concern about the packaging change and asking if the change was temporary or permanent about 10 days ago, but they apparently did not feel compelled to provide a response. For now, anything I reship gets repackaged into proper ESD bags.

These tend to be the type of poor decisions that get made when production gets turned over to a purchasing department whose only mandate is to lower the cost.
 
SparkFun uses a machine to automate the bagging process. I'm pretty sure they use the same pink material for all their other products. Whether their equipment can use the metalized ESD shielding material, I'm not sure. I'll ask next time we meet with them.

But just to be realistic, while I agree the ESD shielding ziplock bags we used at PJRC were stronger and probably better for ESD and mechanical protection, they were always a lot of work for us to actually use. A *lot* of manual labor, especially when we had some batches with slightly thicker material or tighter ziplock closure.

Unless the pink material leads to real world problems, I just don't feel like this is worth pushing back on SparkFun. There are so many other ways to better focus our efforts.
 
It is ok to ask for better bags for ESD protection.
But be consistant. At home, who use antistatic carpet, wear antistatic shoes, antistatic bracelet connected to antistatic mat on the desk ???? ;)
 
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That packaging is for transport, sometimes thousands of miles, in various conditions that aren't comparable with "home". As long as the board works it is fine. But I am not sure what happens when board arrives damaged. It is not really "consumer" product.
 
PaulStoffregen said:
SparkFun uses a machine to automate the bagging process. I'm pretty sure they use the same pink material for all their other products. Whether their equipment can use the metalized ESD shielding material, I'm not sure. I'll ask next time we meet with them.

But just to be realistic, while I agree the ESD shielding ziplock bags we used at PJRC were stronger and probably better for ESD and mechanical protection, they were always a lot of work for us to actually use. A *lot* of manual labor, especially when we had some batches with slightly thicker material or tighter ziplock closure.

Unless the pink material leads to real world problems, I just don't feel like this is worth pushing back on SparkFun. There are so many other ways to better focus our efforts.
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I'll repeat those pink bags don't shield from ESD, they just don't generate much static when handled (compared to raw polythene etc). The silver/grey bags are Faraday cages, but non-shorting (the ultra-thin aluminium layer is sandwiched), so they are safe touching powered-up circuits (Unlike the black conductive bags). For transport black or silver is used for MOS devices, or there's no guarantee they will arrive working and undegraded. Pink is really for passives and outer packaging, especially if transported alongside sensitive parts.

If you are happy for occasional unexplained failures (not necessarily on arrival), pink is OKish, but I wouldn't risk if for a commercial product. Built PCBs are less sensitive than unmounted devices in practice, but that's mainly down to FR4 being a less than brilliant insulator after exposure to etching chemicals and solder fluxes and cleaners.
 
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