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Where have all the TM4C1294NCPDT's gone?

Matt Bennett
Prodigy 170 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TM4C1294NCPDT

It seems there is a global shortage (as in, can't buy anywhere in the world) of TM4C1294NCPDTI3 chips, with stock not arriving till February 2016 in most cases? Any suggestions as to why, and if there are any other ways of obtaining these this month? We only need 3 but for some bespoke hardware that our customer is very anxious to have.

I didn't think such a popular microcontroller would just be clear off the shelves?

At the time of writing there is one source in Europe, but only if you buy a pack of 90 which given we only need 3 is just too expensive.

  • 0
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Matt,

    Digikey has single order quantities for TM4C1294NCPDT

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Prodigy 170 points
    Hi Amit

    Thanks for your reply. I have only been looking at the standard temperature-range part (ending I3) on our BOM and had not considered searching for the extended temperature parts (ending T3). You're right, there are still some individual ones of the extended-range IC available and have been ordered. It would be interesting to know where all the "standard" TM4C1294NCPDT went - but our immediate supply problem has been solved - thanks again.

    Matt
  • 0 in reply to Matt Bennett
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Matt,

    Standard and Extended Temp Range devices availability keeps on changing. So what you may be seeing is the last minute buy that happens in 4Q.

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Expert 1100 points

    Hi Matt,

     If you're in Europe don't bother ordering them from Digikey unless you want the 'pleasure' of filling out their export license, the one where they let you complete the order, pay for it, and then put the spanner in the works. Order them from Mouser, it's a lot quicker and easier. They currently have 444 in stock for the T3 grade.

    http://eu.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Texas-Instruments/TM4C1294NCPDTT3

    I have emailed Digikey's export dept about their policy but they aren't interested. I know what they're trying to achieve. They must be losing a lot of business due to it. Digikey used to be a preferred supplier until they introduced this.

  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Guru 47900 points
    Feel your pain - really I do - yet in these times (unfortunately) these extra "hoops" may be more common than you (or I/others) want.

    From experience - disty DK may be bit ahead of disty M - I'd be careful, "Not to burn that bridge!" (i.e. only to find the 2nd disty practices the same (frustrating) policy - w/in the next few months - they just "fell in line" more slowly...)

    Usually - but not always - parts enjoying such "export hurdles" are well identified as such. (you may search - instead - for a similar device not so encumbered) Another method which has worked for multiple of my (US) firm's Euro clients, "Befriend the vendor's local Sales staff" - they are motivated to work in your behalf (especially if there's a hint of "volume") - and may provide great convenience & shipping advice for you. Even better - if you can join w/other small firms - the "group approach" most always, "Wins attention."

    You're (as am I) nameless/faceless to a distant disty. The more you can change those facts - the better your outcome... Bon chance...
  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Guru 10570 points
    Interesting, I've done that for a few years (although lately my ordering has been done by a large corporation). I never had it slow shipping.

    Note that Tivaware itself requires similar paperwork, that gave me some pause.

    Robert
  • 0 in reply to Robert Adsett72
    Expert 1100 points
    The Tivaware paperwork I've seen was nothing like 'Form BIS-711 U.S. Dept of commerce Bureau of industry and security' that they wanted me to fill in, for a product (it was a launchpad the EK-1294XL) that is freely on sale in the UK. I agree cb1, products with export restrictions should be marked, but it wasn't. The silly thing is that they let you get as far as the UPS tracking number, having taken payment, before they send you the form.

    @cb1.... You're right in saying 'don't burn the bridges' with one supplier. I agree, and Digikey will be back in the bidding if/when they chose to make their export ordering more customer friendly. But I've been let down too many times over the years by distribution and manufacturers to be loyal to any one of them.
  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Guru 47900 points

    @Pete,

    Feel your pain - now even more! It absolutely stinks - and drives others/myself just Nutz - when an unexpected "hurdle or demand" rises SO Late in the order process! (can you hear my primal scream/cursing?) I'm sure had they noted/alerted you (sooner) your cursing (may) not have landed here. (US Midwest) (interesting word choice - I'd say...)

    In banking (as one example) I register my overseas wire transfer/payment - and only after I, "Jump that hoop" do I learn that NO punctuations are allowed - and my entire 4-5 paragraphs are (instantly) deleted - GONE! (Delightful that!)

    @Robert,

    Indeed - if you're part of a large corp - part ordering (may) become easier. While we're embedded w/a giant we note (some) benefits - but the trade-off now is that we must comply w/"giant's policies - not the distys!   So the struggle remains - just shifted.

  • 0 in reply to cb1
    Expert 1100 points
    @cb1. Quite so. Had they warned me even on the day the order was placed I would of been happy with that. But when all the ordering has been done, and it's the day after , and I could of easily added the item to another order now gone, then I'm not so happy.

    Incidentally, as you mention wire payment...certainly as of a few years ago the US banks couldn't predict how much in fees it would take to transmit some money to a US account. So, if I sent some money from the UK, and ticked 'sender pays all fees', then I'd pay all the UK ones, but not the US ones. The US fees would be taken out as the money moved from one system to another. Nobody could tell me how much I'd need to send in the first place to actually have a known amount left in the destination bank. I phoned up the 5 biggest US banks I could find, none could tell me. These days we have another 'delight' <cough> called Paypal. But at least they've solved the small transmission fee problem!
  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Guru 10570 points
    Quite right, that's an absurd process. And export restricted items should be flagged.

    It's possible that the check is delayed though until they verify your broker. Their may be a way around running into this. You may be able to fill out the form and file it with them and other than periodic updates it's taken care of. Or you maybe able to designate your own broker and they likely have improved methods of dealing with the issue.

    The different distributors may have different stocking strategies leading to paperwork differences.

    Robert
  • 0 in reply to cb1
    Guru 10570 points
    No question cb1, the big advantage is that I can generally pass the ordering off to someone else.

    Software is an exception. I have a downloadable utility I need. Less than 100. 2 week delay trying to order directly, turns out I need approval. 2 weeks to get approval. Then IT has to order it. At 6 weeks now because rather than ordering they are trying to get an approved supplier to order it for them.

    We've probably already spent multiples of the cost and I wouldn't be surprised if ordering through distribution doubled the purchase price.

    Robert
  • 0 in reply to Robert Adsett72
    Guru 117855 points

    @Pete, Robert, interested others,

    You both raise (I believe) very sound & valid points.   My firm - operating from central US - escapes many/most of that unpleasantness.

    That said - and Robert touched upon this - we employ a, "Freight Consolidator" to greatly, "Speed, Ease & Enhance" our shipment & financial handling of overseas' purchases.   This eliminates the risk & burden of "dangling check amounts" - and (always) runs smoother.   (and the "consolidation" (our 100-500 units) placed w/in a shipping container - yields very substantial savings - and avoids "Loss & Damage!")   Note that those savings (almost) make such consolidation "free."   And we deal w/a specialist - small biz must know & honor their limitations - if the doors, electric, & hi-speed net are to continue...

  • 0 in reply to Robert Adsett72
    Guru 10570 points
    That's less than $100 to clarify

    Robert
  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    Guru 10570 points
    Small companies I've worked with found brokerages essential when dealing with the US in particular. Customs is an enormous psychological (non tariff)barrier for small and mid size american firms. Removing that barrier by handling it ourselves was nearly essential to sell into the US.

    Not an issue for European sales.

    Robert
  • 0 in reply to Robert Adsett72
    Guru 117855 points

    Well said Robert - you add to the "biz experience" base - vital - yet "not much in play" here... (Sales can never develop unless (all) necessary bases are covered!)

    Thread started so very "pedestrian" ("I can't get 3 pcs!") and while we will not be "verified/awarded" - its clear that three, hi-jacking, co-conspirators have brought fresh, "life & interest" to an (otherwise) uninspired thread...

    And to "inspiration" - famed cb1 firm's "crack warehouse/garage" receives (and builds/installs) 200 linear feet of new, "built-in, bin-box" storage racks - courtesy of the near 50°F weather @ Chicago, today...   I did NOT just hear (muttered) "We gotta work Sunday?"

  • 0 in reply to Robert Adsett72
    Expert 1100 points

    @Robert

    "We've probably already spent multiples of the cost and I wouldn't be surprised if ordering through distribution doubled the purchase price."

    I've seen this a few times. In one company we side stepped it by having our own budget and could order some stuff directly. This was after a conversation with the directors and making them realise how much money they might save by doing so. So the direct buying was approved for certain other people.

    "Removing that barrier by handling it ourselves was nearly essential to sell into the US."

    So do you mean that you handled the lot internally, or employed your own broker to do it for you?

    @cb1

    "courtesy of the near 50°F weather @ Chicago, today..."

    Yes, far too mild all round at the moment, it's not doing the plants any good at all! And for once, in the UK we might have more wind than the Windy city!

  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Guru 117855 points

    @Pete/Robert,

    Shipping, Overseas Finance, Consolidators, "Global Warming" (NOT) and Plant Health - all mish-mashed (we're advised such is allowed, even welcomed) here - w/in one (otherwise) "Boring!" (voice of one H. Simpson) thread.

    All this - and we know (not yet) "Where have all the (flowers and/or MCUs) gone?"

    Where IS the tick-box for, "General interest/awareness?"  

    (Almost) time to venture into the 50°F - and direct "built-in" shelf creation... 

  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    Expert 1100 points
    And to think......that in the future, MCUs will grow on trees. Weather prevailing of course.
  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Prodigy 170 points
    Wow, glad this was the trigger for some venting of delivery-related woes!

    Thanks Pete, but no worries - I always go with Mouser if no UK distributors (Farnell etc) have the part anyway. A few years ago I used to use Digikey quite a bit but like some of you have said got fed-up with having to fill out forms and pay for the extra export and tax costs that (at the time at least) Digikey seemed unable to manage in a single online checkout.

    Cheers!
  • 0 in reply to Matt Bennett
    Guru 117855 points

    Your attitude is to be admired, Matt.   (and we thank you for providing this neat "trigger")

    To my mind - "not" just woes - but suggestions to "overcome" several (avoidable) shipping frustrations/blind alleys:

    • check for - and avoid (if possible) devices that are marked as, "restricted"
    • if and when purchasing beyond "onesies/twosies" - engage Freight Consolidator - so that shipping, regulatory compliance & costs are known/managed
    • survey those nearby - "group purchase" (always) trumps small, random, individual ones.   And "one shared shipment's cost" is far less than multiple, disjointed ones
    • keep a running list of:   (interesting device - let's beg, borrow, sample...or God forbid, "Buy")   It is insane to purchase & "Rush ship" small quantities - disorganization is ALWAYS the cause (even though denied) - and makes investors (rightly) Nutz.   (not to ask - how I know?)

  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Guru 10570 points
    Pete, both. We would end up handling both cost and paperwork.

    A good broker can make a lot of difference but you need sufficient volume to make it worthwhile. Despite various free trade deals, the borders aren't completely transparent.

    Robert
  • 0 in reply to Pete Carston
    Guru 10570 points
    Pete, I think it's less a matter of budget than of security and control. The budget question was approved from the start.

    Having dealt with malware and observing its steady spread and increase in sophistication I'm sympathetic to the former.

    This process still seems overdone in practice for simple cases.

    Robert