SILICON
SILIC
CHIP
www.siliconchip.com.au
Publisher/Editor
Nicholas Vinen
Technical Editor
John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.)
Technical Staff
Jim Rowe, B.A., B.Sc.
Bao Smith, B.Sc.
Tim Blythman, B.E., B.Sc.
Nicolas Hannekum, Dip. Elec. Tech.
Technical Contributor
Duraid Madina, B.Sc, M.Sc, PhD
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Rhonda Blythman, BSc, LLB, GDLP
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Glyn Smith
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Dave Thompson
David Maddison B.App.Sc. (Hons 1),
PhD, Grad.Dip.Entr.Innov.
Geoff Graham
Associate Professor Graham Parslow
Ian Batty
Cartoonist
Brendan Akhurst
Founding Editor (retired)
Leo Simpson, B.Bus., FAICD
Staff (retired)
Ross Tester
Ann Morris
Greg Swain, B. Sc. (Hons.)
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ISSN 1030-2662
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Editorial Viewpoint
The chip shortage is now a
component shortage
I mentioned the severe semiconductor shortages
in my June 2021 editorial. By that time, we had been
having problems getting some parts for a few months,
but it was clearly getting worse. Many common parts
were unavailable, with long lead times.
Things have only gone downhill since then. It isn’t
just products like ICs and semiconductors that are
becoming hard to get, but even basic components like ceramic capacitors
and inductors are running out. And the situation with semiconductors like
microcontrollers and Mosfets is becoming ridiculous, with whole ranges
completely out of stock and astronomical lead times.
I’m not joking about that. We were trying to buy some NXP Mosfets (PSMN1R030YL) for one of the kits that we sell, and not only were they out of stock
everywhere, but one major supplier quoted us an estimated backorder delivery
date of April 25th, 2024 – over two and a half years from now!
This is a major headache for us. How can we publish constructional projects
if we don’t know whether readers will be able to buy the parts to build them?
Even if we check and stock levels look healthy now, by the time we publish
the article (which can range from a few weeks to a few months), they could all
be gone and not available for a long time.
We used to keep around one month worth of parts for the kits and programmed
microcontrollers we sell, perhaps 10-20 of each. Now we have to keep 6-12
months worth, often well over 100 of each, because of how quickly the suppliers
run out of stock and how long it takes to replenish them. So we’re paying a lot
more up-front and we have to find space to store them all.
I can only imagine it’s an even bigger headache for manufacturers, service
centres and others who have to order in reel-size quantities and require a much
more comprehensive range of parts for assembly or repair. And the fact that
everyone is scrambling to get the parts they’re going to need for the foreseeable
future can’t be helping with the shortages.
Given that the lead times for many out-of-stock components are already midto-late 2022, it’s clear that these shortages are not going away any time soon.
By the time that stock arrives next year, much of it might already have been
sold, and what’s left will likely be quickly snapped up.
Fundamentally, the only ways to solve a situation where demand is grossly
outstripping supply is to either significantly increase supply or reduce demand.
Increasing supply is not easy or quick, and I don’t see the demand dropping just
yet (but it will have to eventually). So we’d all better prepare for this situation
to continue for some time.
ElectroneX postponed again
Given the current Australian COVID-19 situation, it comes as no surprise that
ElectroneX had to be postponed again, this time until April next year. Please
see the full announcement on page 29 for more details.
Exciting competition funded by Dick Smith
Also, don’t miss the competition announcement on page 13 of this issue.
It’s an excellent opportunity for budding electronics enthusiasts to have the
chance to win a substantial cash prize, and it sounds like a fun challenge.
We’ve timed it so that entrants will have the Christmas/New Year break to
work on their designs.
Depending on how many entries we get and their quality, we might also end
up featuring some of them in the magazine; we’ll definitely be featuring the
best entry, as described in the announcement.
by Nicholas Vinen
24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville 2204
2
Silicon Chip
Australia’s electronics magazine
siliconchip.com.au
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