Digi-Key Electronics makes labels clearer
Engineers can organise components and improve traceability easier now with Part Tracing, introduced by Digi-Key Electronics, which prints information directly on cut tape products.
Part Tracing is being introduced on select cut tape products to enhance traceability and product customisation offerings, making it easier for customers to visually verify cut tape products.
The labelling system has been introduced to address the industry-wide problem of the traceability of cut tape electronic components. It comes about because once the product is out of the labelled bag from the distributor, it can be difficult to identify.
Digi-Key is experienced in cut tape distribution and now supplies cut tape showing traceability information, which not only helps customers visually verify cut tape, but further support is provided via the Digi-Key Traceability portal where the customer can look up further information as required.
Information available to be printed on 8.0mm-wide paper carrier tape products is the sales order, invoice, line item (detail ID), date code, lot code, Digi-Key part number, manufacturer part number, manufacturer name, quantity, country of origin, catalogue description, customer reference, and PO number. Orders must be a minimum length of 200mm (about eight inches), which equates to about 50 parts for 4.0mm pitch tape, or 100 parts for 2.0mm pitch tape. The part tracing information will be printed in English.
Digi-Key believes it is the first distributor in the industry to offer this level of customisation and enhancement and expects the offering to be available on 36,000 parts by June 2021.
This service is provided at no additional cost as long as required order minimums are met.
Jim Ricciardelli, executive vice president of digital business for Digi-Key, said: “We know having this information available on cut tape will be significantly helpful to the designers, makers and builders of tomorrow’s innovations. An engineer will quickly be able to scan any cut tape part to determine exactly what product it is, where it came from, and so much more information, that leads to enhanced traceability and decreased confusion.”
Part tracing is now available on 8.0mm paper tape products, and Digi-Key expects to expand the offering, following close monitoring of customer demand.
