IC Packing Tubes
IC Packing Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to hold electronic components in a fixed orientation from the component vendor to the pick and place machine.
Where IC Packing Tubes Fits
IC Packing Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to hold electronic components in a fixed orientation from the component vendor to the pick and place machine. SEWATE manufactures them in PVC, PS, PC, PETG, and ABS, with lengths from 50mm to 3000mm and wall thicknesses from 0.30mm to 1.85mm. Profiles are oval, square, or customized to match the device body. Anti-static properties are achieved through surface treatment or additives built into the resin. These tubes protect components from electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, dust, and moisture during transport and storage.
The Case for IC Packing Tubes
- Holds components in one orientation so they load directly into tube feeders without re-orientation
- Anti-static by surface treatment or built-in additives, chosen to match storage and handling conditions
- Wall thickness from 0.30mm to 1.85mm allows trade-off between material cost and drop resistance
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and +/- 2 mils on PC ensures consistent fit and prevents jamming
- Lengths from 50mm to 3000mm cut to match the pitch of your machine magazine or carton
- Standard profiles available from open tools ship in 5-15 days, reducing line stoppage risk
Typical Uses for IC Packing Tubes
Shipping relays, switches, and connectors from a component plant to an overseas EMS or SMT line
Feeding through-hole, SMT, and leadless devices (QFN, MLF, LPCC) into automatic insertion and pick and place machines
Storing moisture-insensitive components in a warehouse between incoming inspection and production build
Re-packing bulk devices into fixed counts per tube for kitting, traceability, and inventory control
Protecting long-lead semiconductors in buffer stock held against allocation risk
The Buyer of IC Packing Tubes
- IC distributors re-packaging bulk devices for their own customers
- Semiconductor and passive component makers packaging finished goods
- EMS and SMT plants receiving tube-packed devices and needing spares for re-work
- Relay, switch, and connector manufacturers shipping bodies too large for tape and reel
- Purchasing teams replacing a tube supplier whose profile no longer matches the device
IC Packing Tubes Against the Failure Modes
- Devices jam mid-tube due to internal profile drift across a production run
- Electrostatic discharge damages sensitive devices during transport and manual handling
- Bulk-packed parts arrive in random orientation, increasing operator time to load by hand
- Tubes crack on drop in transit, spilling devices inside the carton
- A device body is too large or too heavy for tape and reel but still needs fixed orientation
- Anti-static performance fades after wiping when the treatment sits only on the surface
Inside the IC Packing Tubes Specification
- Oval or square extruded profile matched to the device body and lead span
- Anti-static achieved by surface layer process or by additives built into the resin
- Symbols and part marking can be printed on the tube surface
- Rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, and EPE plugs available as closures
- Stable dimension and smooth internal interfacing so devices slide without binding
- Good impact strength and drop resistance for crack-free tubes after carton handling
IC Packing Tubes Data Sheet
Values are taken from the SEWATE product data for this item.
| Model Number | SE-IC-032 |
|---|---|
| Length | 50mm-3000mm as customized |
| Wall Thickness | 0.30mm-1.85mm |
| Profile | Oval or square or customized |
| Material | PVC / PS / PC / PETG / ABS |
| Colour | Transparent, Blue, White, Red, Yellow, Purple and customized etc |
| Dimension Control | Within 5 mils on PVC, +/- 2 mils on PC |
| Certification | RoHS |
| MOQ | 10000 pieces |
| Sample Time | 3-5 days |
| Capacity | 500000 pcs per week |
| Supply Ability | Monthly output of final products 150 tons |
| Payment Terms | T/T, L/C, etc. |
| Place of Origin | Shenzhen, China |
| Experience | More than 20 years experience |
| Lead Time | 5-15 days depending on quantity |
Choosing Material for IC Packing Tubes
- PVC gives high strength, good flexibility, stable geometry, and long storage life and is the common default for IC packing tubes
- PS is halogen free, easy to process, and low cost but more brittle with lower impact strength than PVC and ABS
- PC is used when the tube must survive higher temperature or heavier handling and offers tight tolerance control
- PETG is chosen for its strongest impact strength and excellent clarity, ideal for heavy duty and large packages
- ABS is used when impact strength matters more than transparency and is suitable for high-stress applications
From Resin to Packed IC Packing Tubes
- Review of the application, key design requirements, and tube functionality in the quotation
- Drawing created from the 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 for fit testing on your device
- Extrusion of the approved profile followed by cutting to the ordered length
- Anti-static treatment by surface layer process or built-in additive as specified
- Plug fitting, counting, and packing into cartons
Inspection of IC Packing Tubes
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and +/- 2 mils on PC so devices slide the full length
- Fit testing of sample tubes against your device or drawing before mass production
- Anti-static value checked to ensure stability after handling and storage
- Drop and pressure checks on the tube body before packing
- Quality management system to ISO14001 with after-sales support on shipped lots
IC Packing Tubes Options
- Tube length cut to your magazine or carton pitch anywhere from 50mm to 3000mm
- Internal profile designed from your tube drawing, device drawing, or a physical sample
- Material chosen from PVC, PS, PC, PETG, or ABS based on cost, clarity, and impact needs
- Colour from transparent, blue, white, red, yellow, purple, or customized for line identification
- Level of anti-static specified as surface treated or additive loaded
- Surface printing of symbols, part numbers, or handling marks
- Closure chosen from rubber end plugs, plastic pins, nails, plastic caps, or EPE plugs
When Not to Use IC Packing Tubes
| Tape and reel | Tubes take larger and heavier bodies that tape pockets cannot hold, but tape suits high-volume automated placement of small SMD parts better |
|---|---|
| Vacuum formed trays | Trays protect fine-pitch and fragile packages better, tubes cost less per device and load directly into tube feeders |
| Bulk bag packing | Tubes cost more per unit than a bag but remove random orientation, ESD exposure, and operator loading time |
| Standard stock tubes from a catalogue | A custom profile costs one-time tooling and 4-6 weeks, stock profiles ship in 5-15 days but only fit devices the profile was drawn for |
Handling and Storing IC Packing Tubes
- Send a tube drawing, device drawing, or a sample tube so the internal profile can be matched
- If no drawing exists, send the physical component so the profile can be measured from it
- Confirm length against the magazine on your insertion or placement machine before tooling
- Specify whether anti-static must survive wiping and long storage so the right treatment is used
- Choose the closure with the tube: rubber plugs for repeated opening, pins for one-way shipping
- Store tubes flat and dry in the carton and keep them out of direct sun to avoid deformation
- Allow one-time tooling cost and 4-6 weeks on a new custom profile when planning the build
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Background reading before you specify ic packing tubes.
How Anti Static IC Tubes Are Made From PVC
The process starts with PVC resin fed into an extruder.
Read Guide
Materials For Anti Static IC Tubes
IC shipping tubes are made from several plastics including PVC, PS, PET, PC, and ABS.
Read Guide
Custom Anti Static IC Tube Guidelines
To begin customization, supply four items: the tube material, part size, desired tube length, and plug type.
Read GuideWhere It Is Used
Where ic packing 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
Medical And Instrument Electronics
Medical and instrument electronics require packaging that maintains traceable fixed-count orientation, stable anti-static performance over long storage, and clear material declarations.
See ApplicationWhat Buyers Ask About IC Packing Tubes
What is the minimum order quantity for IC packing tubes?
10000 pieces on standard profiles. The high MOQ comes from extrusion setup: a run has to be long enough to justify the changeover, so short runs cost more per tube than they save.
How long does a stock tube order take?
5-15 days depending on quantity. Samples for fit testing go out in 3-5 days.
What does a custom tube profile cost in time?
There is a one-time tooling set up cost. A basic low volume project can be 25-day ARO, typical lead time is 4-6 weeks, and a complex tool or high volume item can run 10-12 weeks.
What do you need from me to quote a tube?
One of: a drawing of the tube, a drawing of the device going into it, or a sample tube. If none exists, send the physical component and the profile is measured from it.
Which material should I choose?
PVC is the usual default for strength, stability, and long storage. HIPS is halogen free and cheaper but more brittle. PC ABS and PETG are used when temperature, impact strength, or clarity is the deciding factor.
Is the anti-static property permanent?
It depends on the method. Surface layer treatment can degrade with repeated wiping and long storage, additives built into the resin keep the anti-static value more stable. Tell us your storage time and the right one is specified.
Do the tubes come with plugs?
Yes. Rubber end plugs, plastic pins and nails, plastic caps, and EPE plugs are all available and chosen against the tube profile and how often the tube is opened.
Send the Device and Get IC Packing Tubes Quoted
A drawing, a sample or the physical component is enough. Sales and engineering come back within 24 hours.