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The joy of samples... — Parallax Forums

The joy of samples...

doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,246
edited 2012-10-12 22:36 in General Discussion
The other day I was looking for a charge pump IC. I ended up on Microchip's site and found the TC962 in a TH IC. Beside the listing was 'sample' so I created a 'business' account and added it to my cart along with another sample that escapes me at the moment.

It was really cool for 5 of these little chips to show up yesterday. Now if I could only remember what I was looking for a charge pump for. :D

Anybody have recommendations for other 'sample friendly' manufacturers?

Paul

Comments

  • Mike CookMike Cook Posts: 829
    edited 2012-10-12 04:36
    http://www.maximintegrated.com/

    w    ww.ti.com
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2012-10-12 06:31
    doggiedoc

    Ahhh.... The Joy Of Samples :)

    I get samples all the time. Although it is getting more difficult to get samples now, as compared to the past. I have always had a company name, which always makes it easier, and I have always used inventor, designer, or engineer as my job description. And just lately, I was temporarily refused samples because of general service email, where they required an email address of a unique domain name, but that requirement was quickly satisfied by using the email associated with my website. If you can satisfy these requirements then you should be able to get samples from:
    • STMicroelectronics
    • Analog Devices
    • Texas Instruments
    Just to name a few. In the past I recieved a lot of samples from Dallas Semiconductor, now a subsiderary of Maxim, and Maxim has made it more difficult. I will have to recheck with Maxim to see their requirements. But yes, there is a wonderful joy of receiving free samples, some of which cost a pretty penny.

    Bruce
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,246
    edited 2012-10-12 07:51
    Bruce and Mike - thanks for the leads and tips.

    Paul
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2012-10-12 08:10
    I'd have to add:

    Analog Devices, www.analog.com
    Siliconix, www.siliconix.com
    Intersil, www.intersil.com

    ...and even Maxim.

    I've asked for, and received some rather expensive ($28/ea) devices from these companies.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-10-12 08:17
    Samtec (connectors) is generous to a fault. I'm sure their sample program is one reason their prices are so high when you go to buy something.

    -Phil
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,246
    edited 2012-10-12 08:31
    Good info... thanks guys!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,261
    edited 2012-10-12 08:38
    Don't forget how generous Parallax is with samples and 'Freemiums' !

    Ken, I could really use samples of Eddie and Quadrover.





    NO, before you send 'em, I'm kidding and I have no room for them. Whatever you do, DON'T send me those things.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,246
    edited 2012-10-12 08:43
    erco wrote: »
    Don't forget how generous Parallax is with samples and 'Freemiums' !

    Ken, I could really use samples of Eddie and Quadrover.





    NO, before you send 'em, I'm kidding and I have no room for them. Whatever you do, DON'T send me those things.

    Reverse psychology is a useful tool. I just don't think it's going to help you on those particular items. ;)
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,261
    edited 2012-10-12 08:51
    Agreed, my fine Carolinian friend.

    Whatever you do, DON'T send me one of your Toddlers. I forbid it!
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-10-12 09:11
    Ramtron sent me samples of their expensive FRAM chips. I think they limit you to three samples.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,246
    edited 2012-10-12 09:14
    erco wrote: »
    Agreed, my fine Carolinian friend.

    Whatever you do, DON'T send me one of your Toddlers. I forbid it!
    Then don't PM your shipping address.
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2012-10-12 09:21
    If you attend seminars such as the ones Avnet put on, you generally walk away w/ a brand new dev kit of the type used in the training. At lunch, there may be a guest appearance from a sales engineer of one of the companies they represent. Got a nice sample kit of many usb connector tyco makes. Not really free, but close.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-12 15:06
    When I first started my business almost 15 years ago I was a sample FREAK!!!! I contacted every paper manufaturer I could find. I think it took about 2 years to go through all the paper I had. I get free pens and calendars al the time. When I dig up my folding chair I got I will post a link to another great source for free samples.

    Edit: I found it. http://www.4imprint.com/ These guys will give you samples of almost everything they have. Click on an item and if it says "Request Sample" they will send to you. I got a few items with a value over $25.00. ( I did however end up buying some of their shirts but it is not required.)
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2012-10-12 16:22
    Hmmm. I'd forgotten all about samples. Ever since Digi-Key and other vendors started selling to anyone with a credit card, I gave up that racket.
  • idbruceidbruce Posts: 6,197
    edited 2012-10-12 16:35
    Hmmm. I'd forgotten all about samples. Ever since Digi-Key and other vendors started selling to anyone with a credit card, I gave up that racket.

    There are times when all you need is a single IC chip, and many times samples are availabe for the IC you need, and it includes free shipping. Unless I am making an order that includes several items from Mouser or Digikey, I always check if a sample is available. However, if I need several items, I try to order it all from one place, so they arrive at the same time.
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2012-10-12 17:30
    Maybe I am off on this one, but the samples available tend to be more available in newer packaging formats especially if the part has been around for a while. I may find SOIC and not DIP packaging.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-10-12 19:00
    Maybe I am off on this one, but the samples available tend to be more available in newer packaging formats especially if the part has been around for a while. I may find SOIC and not DIP packaging.
    Given that sample programs are meant to entice volume purchasers with new design-ins, that shouldn't be too surprising, should it?

    -Phil
  • frank freedmanfrank freedman Posts: 1,983
    edited 2012-10-12 21:57
    Nah, just thought it would be worth mentioning to viewers out there that may not be that conversant in home-built use of SMT. SIOC seems to be getting a bit more scarce next to the SSOP, TSOP and such.

    I just keep telling myself that one day I will gin up a xxxx to dip header for this purpose. I have used some adapters from Proto-Advantage.com, but was not to impressed with them as the pins are to harsh on breadboard sockets and I would prefer that the pins be capable of three levels for wire-wrap prototyping rather than the two level they supply.

    FF
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2012-10-12 22:36
    One of the most awesome things about the microcontroller/electronics hobby is there is almost no cost barrier to entry.

    Between
    • Free Samples
    • Kindness of folks like Parallax
    • Curbside treasure caches of electronics
    • China by mail


    The only limitation is time. There simply isn't enough time in the year to get all of the cool projects done I want to do. (I'm just starting to get into a midi project that I've been putting off for almost two years!)

    Jeff
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