Locating Obsolete Component Replacements

  • Thread starter Thread starter branbailey9
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Component
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
Sign up Log in
7 replies · 2K views
branbailey9
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
I have been re-designing some older products at work to address obsolescence issues. Does anybody know a good resource for locating replacements for obsolete components. The ideal solution would be to find components that would not require any PCB rework, but finding drop in replacements is proving to be difficult. I appreciate any input.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
branbailey9 said:
I have been re-designing some older products at work to address obsolescence issues. Does anybody know a good resource for locating replacements for obsolete components. The ideal solution would be to find components that would not require any PCB rework, but finding drop in replacements is proving to be difficult. I appreciate any input.

Yes, this is something that many of us have to deal with.

It depends on the component. What types of components are you needing to replace? ICs, semiconductors, memory chips, etc?
 
I am replacing every kind of component but I am having the most trouble with ICs. Since some of these designs are from the 1970s everything is thru hole and almost every potential replacement I find is SMT.
 
Last edited:
branbailey9 said:
I am replacing every kind of component but I am having the most trouble with ICs. Since some of these designs are from the 1970s everything is thru hole and almost every potential replacement I find is SMT.

One option (although not a great option) would be to make little adapter boardlets from SOIC to DIP, kind of like the Surfboards:

http://www.capitaladvanced.com/9000ser.htm

But with the required DIP pattern instead. You may be able to find them already available, so you don't have to make them yourself. If your volumes are not too high, little adapter boardlets can maybe help with the more difficult ICs.
 
Great Suggestion. Thank you very much.
 
Also, a good website for looking for parts in distribution is Findchips.com

www.findchips.com

I'm not sure how good they would be with obsolete parts, though. Good luck!
 
It sounds like you are seeking stocks for a service and maintenance department.

Many military and multinational organisations are destocking and interesting job lots of such components (new but obsolete) are frequently offered on Ebay and other auction sites.

There is a supplier in Munich who seems to have an inexhaustable supply of germanium stuff, plus other more recent.

Another such supplier from Liverpool offers all kinds of ex telecom stuff.
 
Have you tried Mouser Electronics? No minimum order, and they have a LOT of stuff.

http://www.mouser.com/?cm_mmc=google-_-ppc-_-brand&gclid=CMaZm9zsj6YCFcnc4AodpA23nA
 
Last edited by a moderator: