Packaging CPUs lesson...what's the best way to package bare CPUs? (my question, someone please answer)

[Tib]

I have some Pentium Pro chips I need to send out. When I got them from my supplier in the mail, they weren't packaged correctly and on half of them, the pins were all messed up (sent those back).

I am wondering what is the normal way people package cpu's so that the pins don't get bent? Any tips? Maybe I just need to duck-tape around the whole chip or something?

The chips I got WERE packaged. Dont' be mistaken. They were just packaged into too soft padding, which allowed them to bounce around a bit, and bend the pins. What kind of material is tough, yet strong enough to hold the pins in place, and allow me to push the pins into this material? Where can I get this material? Please help ASAP...I need to ship these things out tommorow!

Thanks,

Tibor

P.S. I had this in the for sale / trade thread, and it got deleted like 30 seconds after I posted the thread, so I guess I'll try here? If it can't be accepted here, I'll put it in the Off Topic thread I guess.

 

[blackhawk]

I got one in what I thought was a good design, a piece of white foam the pins were pushed into and a couple peanuts on top with heavy cardboard ducttaped around it. Put it in a padded or non padded envelope and it worked well.

 

[Gustavus]

The white foam is nonconductive and hence a hazard for static build up. A safe material is the 1/4" conductive foam -- loaded with carbon I believe. It is a firm foam so it is easy to press the pins into it without damage. Lots of suppliers use it to ship stuff and I keep it for just such a use. I don't know where to tell you to get it though.