> > I *hate* it when companies do this. =A0I've got rs485 SOICs from ST, an=
d
> > there is the same having to look real closely at them to figure out wha=
t
> > is what. =A0ST: shame on u. =A0Seriously, put a recessed dot or anythin=
g
> > else to make it clear, at the first glance, what is up.
> >
> > Argh.
>=20
> Is it just ST who does this?  I wish they would knock it off.
>=20
> I recently hand-assembled a bunch of boards with SOIC LM358 and it was
> the ST part with a bevel.  About 10% of the boards failed because I
> installed the IC backwards.  It's really hard to see the bevel unless
> the light is just right.
>=20
> Fortunately, there are plenty of manufacturers making LM358, so I will
> make sure to use someone else's part next time.
>=20
> Irrelevant for machine assembly I suppose.

Exactly - the bevel along the length of the IC is probably designed so it w=
ill only go in the chip loader one way around, and I suspect that the mould=
ing process is a continuous extrusion, so for the small percentage of chips=
 that are hand assembled it isn't cost effective to include the dimple or n=
otch on the chip body.
--=20
Scanned by iCritical.

--=20
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