Requesting semi samples

[PenPen]

Has anyone ever done this? I got to the registration page at Fairchild's site, but I'm getting nervous. They ask for company info, but I'm requesting samples as a hobbiest, so I don't know if I would qualify for it. I could say I'm a student, which is true from a certain POV, but that doesn't seem ethical. Has anyone else ever signed up and gotten sample chips? Is it much of a hassle?

As a side point, does anyone know who the manufacturer of the MN3007 is? I know Panasonic made them at one point, but it is listed as "Discontinued" on their site. Is there someone else currently making it?

[The Tone God]

...but that doesn't seem ethical.

I think you answered some of your own questions.

Andrew

P.S. Mis-use/abuse of manufacture's sample system is frowned upon here.

[PenPen]

...but that doesn't seem ethical.

I think you answered some of your own questions.

Andrew

P.S. Mis-use/abuse of manufacture's sample system is frowned upon here.

Agreed. I did not mean to incite any flames here, I had just been looking at datasheets and remembered something I had read from an MIT student recommending getting samples for use in DIY projects, and then I saw the 'sample' link.

[The Tone God]

Its all cool. Many manufactures will send samples to students to use in projects to help encourage people to use their products. A 'get'em while their young" idea. The problem comes when people start ordering just to save a few bucks on their personal projects. If there is enough abuse manufactures may rethink their very generous sample offers.

Andrew

[A.S.P.]

schemos for nothing, and chips for free

[Gladmarr]

I wasn't aware that it was "frowned upon here" to get free samples from manufacturers.  I don't see much point in not using a system for fear that the system may be taken away.  (For the most part, it's hard to get free samples anymore without the obligatory visit from the local factory rep and/or distributor, so this discussion is largely moot.)  And, I can see not sampling 1000 transistors or something like that, but the free sample system is put in place to try to get people to use any given manufacturer's products, so I don't see anything wrong with using it for building any specific project.  Everyone along the way in that system is hoping that the end user will invent something that will use that part being sampled (and lots of it).  Manufacturers (now, I'm talking about Fairchild, National, Microchip; the big guys) spend pennies making these parts, the marketing is much more expensive.  They give samples out like candy, so I don't see any reason not to take them up on the offer when one can get them easily.

The best excuse I can see for using the free sample route is when no distributor actually stocks the particular part you need.  I have sampled slider pots to repair an old EH microsynth, simply because no one carried that particular part anymore.

Now, that said, I do buy almost all of my parts when I build stuff.  But, if you're in school (i.e. dirt poor) or you're trying to get parts that are virtually unavailable from Digikey or Mouser, I simply don't see a problem with it.  And if it helps you learn more about the art/science of electronics, more power to ya!   

[PenPen]

Man, I really feel bad after reading that thread. Let me clarify my position before anyone thinks I was trying to abuse the system.

I didn't actually know that was just for students and the like. I knew very little about the process, I had just heard a student mention getting samples was a good way to get single parts, and I didn't know it was just because they were students. I saw the manu offering samples and clicked on it, but the info requested didn't seem to fit with a hobbyest request. I thought I'd ask before going through with it. I'm glad I did. Perhaps they did mention the qualifications for the request and I didn't see it, I was pretty upset last night (my dog had to be put down last night due to cancer).

[Fret Wire]

Don't worry/feel bad about your post, nothing here is officially frowned upon unless Aron or Peter frown upon it. Ordering samples was very trendy around here awhile ago. Then someone gave their opinion that it wasn't cool, and it became untrendy just as fast. I say trendy because a lot of the same people who were ordering samples now take others to task for it. Alpha dog leads...mob follows kind of thing.

Samples are given to EE students, manufacturers, design houses, etc., in hopes of leading to more sales for the semi-conductor manufacturer. More sales.....the bottom line.

Just use a common sense approach when you order samples. Sample programs aren't meant as a way for you to get every standard IC/tranny you use in building fx for free. If you are ordering from Mouser, Small Bear, or some other supplier, and want to try a new/different IC, then order one from the supplier. If you are between orders, and want to try something new, or experiment, there is nothing wrong with ordering a sample. If you like the new product/ckt you've tried, and end up ordering more of them from a supplier, then that's what the sample program was meant for.

And a few people on an fx forum will never use enough semi's to threaten a sample program. The manufacturers aren't stupid, and have dealt with sample scamming since way before this forum. That's why they require information first. And they may contact you if they think you aren't legit. Plus, they usually limit what types of products are offered as samples.

Sometimes it can get a little dramatic and self-righteous around here. On this forum, you answer to Aron and Peter only. Outside this forum, you answer to your own code of ethics, moral constitution, conscious, and what you can stand to see in the mirror.

Just remember what sample programs are meant for before you order. They aren't meant as a way to get all your 741's and 4558's for free.

[gaussmarkov]

i agree with Fret Wire.

Request Samples

Fairchild provides free samples to help qualified design engineers accelerate their new product designs, qualify products, and promote innovation. We reserve the right to limit the distribution of free samples for non-qualified requestors. We are not able to provide free samples of our entire product line, but we do offer most of our new products as well as products with consistent high demand.

If you require small quantities of products not offered as samples or quantities greater than allowed in the sample program, you can buy them from Fairchild Direct or contact one of Fairchild's Catalog Distributors, or one of the many other Fairchild Distributors.

fairchildsemi seems to have this program in hand.  presumably they decide who is a "qualified design engineer."  does anyone think asking for samples is unethical?  i don't.  but a requestor misrepresenting themselves seems (to me) obviously unethical.

on a related concern:  personally, i doubt that such samples programs will come to an end for the engineers these manufacturers want to reach.  the manufacturers may have to put more effort into screening out the free riders--and that is regrettable--but the screening costs are unlikely to be prohibitive.  as an example, fairchildsemi.com requires requestors to register:

Requesting for samples through Fairchild-Direct requires registration. If you have not already done so, click here to register now.

there is a fairly detailed set of questions that requestors must fill out including:

• Which category best describes your job?
• Which of the following best describes your primary business?
• Which of the following best describes your secondary business?

if someone answers these questions honestly and asks for samples, i think that should be o.k.

[Hal]

::applauds fretwire::

I find nothing wrong with it, as long as you tell them the truth.  I got some PICs for free at some point - for company I wrote "Individual" and for "information" I told them exactly what I wanted to do with them - try to make a fencing scoring machine.  If they didn't want to send them, they did not have to, but they did.  My loyalty now belongs to Microchip, not Amtel.