SparkFun To Manufacture Teensy
- Thread starter Paul
- Start date
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?
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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PaulStoffregen
Well-known member
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 TeensyFrom 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).
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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I'm from the UK. Another option, when in stock, is TheRobotShop: https://uk.robotshop.com/products/teensy-usb-board-version-41-w-o-ethernet
BriComp
Well-known member
That's £27.32 + £13.72 Carriage. Better to use The Pi Hut, £28.5 + £3.50 Carriage.
Still much more than our American friends pay, but hey ho.
KenHahn
Well-known member
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.
Indeed pink is not protective, merely dissipative, the shiny metallic looking bags are a hard requirement for anti-static packaging. Someone is misinformed I suspect.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antistatic_bag
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antistatic_bag
KenHahn
Well-known member
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.
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.
PaulStoffregen
Well-known member
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.
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.
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.
I saw the Adafruit memo today and it scared the shite out of me, especially since my entire company is based on the Teensy. Glad to hear you've partnered with a US-based company. Good stuff.
MichaelMeissner
Senior Member+
Yes, I saw that. It is a shame, since I often bought Teensies from Adafruit (Adafruit being in NY is quicker for deliveries than Sparkfun in CO).
Microcenter does sell the 4.1 (4.0 is currently sold out at the Cambridge MA Microcenter), but only the processors.
However, in terms of buying new Teensy 4.1s, I will go to Protosupplies.com since I can order the Teensy with flash and PSram soldered onto the Teensy.
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mjs513
Senior Member+
Going to ditto that since I am New York as well - actually fairly close to Adafruit.
And I agree with you about Protosupplies! Eyes are that good any more
When I received my ESD training at HP, I was taught that pink plastic does not generate static electricity inside the bag like a normal plastic bag.
However, it is totally ineffective at preventing a static discharge from OUTSIDE the bag punching inside and causing latent damage to the board inside. Just picking up a PCB stored inside a pink bag is no guarantee that the action will not result in damage. The nickel coating on the metallized bags does provide superior protection because it acts as a Faraday cage.
Latent damage may not be obvious upon receipt of a PCB. It can be a cause of a premature failure rate.
All the best,
Bob
However, it is totally ineffective at preventing a static discharge from OUTSIDE the bag punching inside and causing latent damage to the board inside. Just picking up a PCB stored inside a pink bag is no guarantee that the action will not result in damage. The nickel coating on the metallized bags does provide superior protection because it acts as a Faraday cage.
Latent damage may not be obvious upon receipt of a PCB. It can be a cause of a premature failure rate.
All the best,
Bob