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The Writing on Integrated Circuits — Parallax Forums

The Writing on Integrated Circuits

piguy101piguy101 Posts: 248
edited 2012-06-11 21:27 in General Discussion
We all have the moment when we pick up an IC, but the writing is so faded on it that we can't read it. Why do most ICs have their numbers printed on them with very dark brown ink that also rubs off easily?

Comments

  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,568
    edited 2012-06-11 20:34
    Many of them to my knowledge are laser etched... still they can be very hard to read. Sometimes it helps if you apply a little moisture, or adjust the angle of the lighting.
    I do have one of these to cheat with ...

    IMG763.jpg


    ... originally used for viewing letter stamps, it almost opens up another world when used to view small electronics.


    Edit: Side-note: WOW... I just noticed that this post is only 2 hours old and there are 7,829 views ... that's got to be wrong
    IMG763.jpg
    1024 x 768 - 66K
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2012-06-11 21:27
    I like the older light gray/white markings much better, but in today's manufacturing world I doubt if anyone actually looks at the chips that often.

    Some of the newer markings are better than others. Compare the TI TL084 to the markings on the ST LM324. And how about that old, silver LM324 from the 80s.

    The BB OPA2134 is definitely better looking than the TLC271 in front of it. I wasn't real sure what that chip was until I took this photo, the incandescent light seems to make the gold colored markings easier to see.
    Chips.jpg
    1024 x 681 - 159K
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