Custom IC Tubes
Custom IC Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to match the exact profile of a specific device body, from through-hole to surface-mount components, ensuring consistent feed and protection during transport and assembly.
Where Custom IC Tubes Fits
Custom IC Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to match the exact profile of a specific device body, from through-hole to surface-mount components, ensuring consistent feed and protection during transport and assembly. SEWATE manufactures them in PVC, PS, PC, PETG, and ABS, with lengths from 50mm to 600mm, wall thicknesses of 0.30mm to 1.85mm, and internal profiles shaped as oval, square, or fully customized. Anti-static performance is achieved through surface layer treatment or additives built into the resin, selected to match your storage and handling requirements. These tubes are used for ICs, relays, switches, connectors, sensors, power modules, LEDs, medical instruments, and other components where fixed orientation and ESD protection are critical.
The Case for Custom IC Tubes
- Internal profile matched exactly to the device body to prevent jamming and misfeed in tube feeders
- Anti-static by surface treatment or built-in additives, chosen to maintain performance over storage and handling
- Length from 50mm to 600mm cut to match your machine magazine pitch or packaging layout
- Wall thickness from 0.30mm to 1.85mm allows trade-offs between material cost and drop resistance
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC ensures consistent fit and smooth part movement
- Custom tooling enables one-time setup for long-term use, reducing repeat order delays
Typical Uses for Custom IC Tubes
Feeding custom-shaped relays and switches into tube feeders where standard profiles do not match
Shipping high-value or long-lead ICs with a unique body profile that standard tubes cannot hold
Protecting sensors and medical instruments with non-standard dimensions that require fixed orientation
Re-packing components from bulk into fixed-count tubes for traceability and kitting
Replacing a tube supplier whose stock profile no longer fits a device due to design changes
The Buyer of Custom IC Tubes
- Component makers producing devices with non-standard profiles that require custom packaging
- EMS and SMT plants receiving custom parts that jam in feeders due to mismatched tube geometry
- Purchasing teams sourcing tubes for niche or proprietary components not covered by standard catalogues
- Connector and relay manufacturers shipping bodies too large or irregular for tape and reel
- LED and power module producers needing fixed orientation for components with asymmetric leads
Custom IC Tubes Against the Failure Modes
- Devices jam mid-tube due to internal profile drift or mismatch with the device body
- Electrostatic discharge damages sensitive components during handling and transport
- Random orientation of parts in bulk packaging increases manual loading time and error risk
- Standard tubes fail to hold large or heavy components, leading to spillage and damage
- Anti-static performance degrades after repeated handling when only surface treatment is used
- Lack of a custom profile forces the use of non-ideal packaging that increases machine downtime
Inside the Custom IC Tubes Specification
- Internal profile designed from device drawing, tube drawing, or physical sample
- Anti-static achieved via surface layer process or additives built into the resin
- Lengths from 50mm to 600mm cut to match machine magazine or carton pitch
- Wall thickness from 0.30mm to 1.85mm for balance between cost and mechanical strength
- Oval, square, or fully customized cross-sections to match device body and lead span
- Smooth internal surface to prevent binding and ensure consistent part movement
- Rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, caps, or EPE plugs available as closures
Custom IC Tubes Data Sheet
Values are taken from the SEWATE product data for this item.
| Model Number | SE-IC-011 |
|---|---|
| Length | 50mm-600mm as customized |
| Wall Thickness | 0.30mm-1.85mm |
| Shape | Oval or square or customized |
| Material | PVC / PS / PC / PETG / ABS |
| Colour | Transparent, Blue, Black, Red, Yellow, Purple and customized etc |
| Thickness | 0.30mm-1.85mm |
| Application | ICs, relays, switches, connectors, sensors, toys, power modules, LEDs, medical instruments, etc |
| Certification | RoHS |
| MOQ | 10000 pieces, except the trial order |
| Sample Time | 25 days including tooling making time |
| Lead Time | 5-15 days |
| Capacity | 500000 pcs/week |
| Supply Ability | The monthly output of final products is 150 tons |
| Payment Terms | T/T |
| Place of Origin | Shenzhen, China |
| Tooling Cost | Starts at $1200 for small tubes in low volume applications |
Choosing Material for Custom IC Tubes
- PVC provides high strength, good flexibility, stable geometry, and long storage life, commonly used as the default for custom tubes
- PS (HIPS) is halogen free, easy to process, and low cost but more brittle with lower impact strength than PVC or ABS
- PC is selected when the tube must withstand higher temperatures or heavier handling during transport
- PETG is used when clarity and stable geometry are more important than cost
- ABS is chosen when impact resistance is critical, even at the expense of transparency
From Resin to Packed Custom IC Tubes
- Free quote based on application, key design requirements, and tube functionality
- Drawing created from purchase order and issued for your approval before tooling
- Mould making and tooling trial on the approved profile
- Sample production with 20-50 free tubes provided for fit testing on your device
- Extrusion of the approved profile followed by cutting to the ordered length
- Anti-static treatment applied via surface layer process or built-in additive as specified
- Plug fitting, counting, and packing into cartons according to your requirements
Inspection of Custom IC Tubes
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC tubes to ensure consistent part movement
- Fit testing of sample tubes against your device or drawing before mass production
- Anti-static value verified to remain stable after handling and over time
- Drop and pressure tests performed on the tube body before packing
- ISO14001 quality management system in place with after-sales support on shipped lots
Custom IC Tubes Options
- Tube length customized from 50mm to 600mm to match your machine magazine or carton pitch
- Internal profile designed from your device drawing, tube drawing, or physical sample
- Material selected from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS based on cost, clarity, and impact needs
- Colour chosen from transparent, blue, black, red, yellow, purple, or custom options for line identification
- Anti-static level specified as surface treated or additive loaded based on storage and handling
- Surface printing of symbols, part numbers, or handling marks available
- Closure type selected from rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, or EPE plugs
When Not to Use Custom IC Tubes
| Tape and reel | Tubes handle larger and heavier components that tape pockets cannot hold, but tape is better for high-volume automated placement of small SMD parts |
|---|---|
| Vacuum formed trays | Trays offer better protection for fine-pitch and fragile packages, but tubes cost less per device and load directly into tube feeders |
| Standard stock tubes | Custom profiles require one-time tooling and 4-6 weeks lead time, but stock tubes only fit devices the profile was originally designed for |
| Bulk bag packing | Tubes cost more per unit than bulk bags but eliminate random orientation, ESD exposure, and manual loading time |
Handling and Storing Custom IC Tubes
- Send a tube drawing, device drawing, or physical sample so the internal profile can be matched
- If no drawing exists, send the physical component for profile measurement
- Confirm length against the magazine on your insertion or placement machine before tooling
- Specify whether anti-static must survive repeated wiping and long storage to select the right method
- Choose the closure type: rubber plugs for repeated opening, pins for one-way shipping
- Store tubes flat and dry in the carton, away from direct sunlight to prevent deformation
- Plan for one-time tooling cost and 4-6 weeks lead time when scheduling a new custom profile
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ESD Plastic Tubes
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IC Storage Tubes
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Background reading before you specify custom ic tubes.
Vacuum Formed Trays For Component Packaging
Vacuum formed trays are made by heating a plastic sheet, stretching it over a mold, and pulling it down with vacuum pressure.
Read Guide
Why IC Shipping Tube MOQ Is High
The minimum order quantity for custom anti-static IC shipping tubes is high because each production run requires machine re-molding, setup adjustment and dimensional verification.
Read Guide
How Anti Static IC Tubes Are Made From PVC
The process starts with PVC resin fed into an extruder.
Read GuideWhere It Is Used
Where custom ic tubes is used in production.
Connectors Relays And Switches
Connectors, relays, terminal blocks, switches and power modules are too large or heavy for standard tape and reel packaging.
See Application
Semiconductor And IC Distribution
IC distributors and semiconductor plants handle devices that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, and orientation changes during transit.
See ApplicationWhat Buyers Ask About Custom IC Tubes
What is the minimum order quantity for custom IC tubes?
10000 pieces, except for trial orders. The MOQ is driven by extrusion setup costs, which require a minimum run length to justify the changeover.
How long does it take to get a custom tube order?
Sample time is 25 days including tooling making time. Mass production lead time is 5-15 days after approval.
What is the tooling cost for custom IC tubes?
Tooling starts at $1200 for small tubes in low volume applications. Cost increases with complexity, size, and material used, such as polycarbonate or polypropylene.
What do you need to start a custom tube project?
One of: a tube drawing, a device drawing, or a physical sample. If none exists, send the component for profile measurement.
Which material should I choose for my custom tube?
PVC is the default for strength and stability. HIPS is cheaper and halogen free but more brittle. PC and ABS are used for higher temperature or impact resistance. PETG is used when clarity and stable geometry are key.
Is the anti-static property permanent?
It depends on the method. Surface layer treatment can degrade with wiping and long storage. Additives built into the resin maintain anti-static performance longer. Specify your storage and handling needs.
Do the tubes come with plugs?
Yes. Rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, and EPE plugs are available and selected based on the tube profile and how often it is opened.
Send the Device and Get Custom IC Tubes Quoted
A drawing, a sample or the physical component is enough. Sales and engineering come back within 24 hours.