IC Storage Tubes
IC Storage Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to hold electronic components in a fixed orientation during shipping, storage, and handling.
IC Storage Tubes in One Paragraph
IC Storage Tubes are extruded plastic channels designed to hold electronic components in a fixed orientation during shipping, storage, and handling. SEWATE manufactures them in PVC, PS, PC, PETG, and ABS, with oval or square profiles matched to the device body. They protect against electrostatic discharge, mechanical shock, dust, and moisture. Standard profiles are available in over a thousand types for through-hole, SMT, and leadless packages such as QFN, MLF, and LPCC. Custom profiles are made to exact dimensions with tight tolerance control for high-speed automated feeding.
Why Buyers Specify IC Storage Tubes
- Holds components in fixed orientation so they load directly into tube feeders without re-orientation
- Protects against ESD, dust, moisture, and mechanical shock during transport and storage
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and +/- 2 mils on PC ensures consistent feeding
- Tight tolerance on PC tubes reduces device piggybacking shingling and rotation during high-speed placement
- Available in multiple materials to match cost, clarity, impact strength, and environmental needs
- Standard stock profiles ship in 5-15 days; custom profiles take 4-6 weeks with one-time tooling
IC Storage Tubes on the Line
Shipping relays switches and connectors from a component plant to an overseas EMS or SMT line
Storing ICs and passive components in a warehouse between incoming inspection and production
Protecting long-lead semiconductors in buffer stock held against allocation risk
Re-packing bulk devices into fixed counts per tube for kitting and traceability
Feeding SMD and through-hole devices into automatic insertion and pick and place machines
Handling heavy or large packages like TO cans and microprocessor heat sinks with high impact resistance
IC Storage Tubes Is Built For
- 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 components and needing spares for re-work
- Relay switch and connector manufacturers shipping bodies too large for tape and reel
- Medical instrument and sensor producers requiring ESD-safe packaging for sensitive devices
- LED and power module manufacturers needing durable tubes for high-volume handling
What Goes Wrong Without IC Storage Tubes
- Devices jam mid-tube due to profile drift or dimensional inaccuracy across a production run
- Electrostatic discharge damages sensitive components during transport and manual handling
- Bulk-packed parts arrive in random orientation and require manual loading, slowing down production
- Tubes crack on drop in transit and spill devices inside the carton
- Large or heavy packages like TO cans or heat sinks cannot be held in tape and reel
- Anti-static performance fades after repeated handling or wiping when only surface-treated
Technical Detail of IC Storage Tubes
- Oval or square extruded profile matched to the device body and lead span
- Anti-static protection via surface layer treatment or additives built into the resin
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and +/- 2 mils on PC
- Smooth internal surface for consistent device sliding without binding
- Good impact strength and drop resistance for crack-free tubes after carton handling
- Available with rubber end plugs plastic pins nails plastic caps or EPE plugs for closure
The Numbers for IC Storage Tubes
Values are taken from the SEWATE product data for this item.
| Model Number | SE-IC-002 |
|---|---|
| Length | 50mm-1000mm as customized |
| Wall Thickness | 0.30mm-1.85mm |
| Profile | Oval or square or customized |
| Material | PVC / PS / PC / PETG / ABS |
| Colour | Transparent, Blue, Black, Red, Yellow and customized etc |
| Dimension Control | Within 5 mils on PVC, +/- 2 mils on PC |
| Certification | RoHS |
| MOQ | 10000 pieces |
| Sample Time | 3-5 days or according to customers’ requirements |
| Capacity | 500000 pcs per week |
| Supply Ability | Monthly output of final products is 150 tons |
| Payment Terms | T/T, L/C, etc. |
| Experience | More than 20 years experience |
| Application | ICs, Relays, Switches, Connectors, Sensors, Toys, Power Modules, LEDs, Medical Instruments, etc |
| Lead Time | 5-15 days depending on quantity |
Resins Used in IC Storage Tubes
- PVC offers high strength good flexibility stable geometry and long storage life and is the common default for IC storage tubes
- PS is halogen free easy to process and low cost with improved clarity and impact strength over standard plastics
- PC is used when tight tolerance control +/- 2 mils is required and for high-impact applications like MSOP and TSSOP packages
- PETG provides the strongest impact strength and excellent clarity ideal for heavy-duty packaging of large or fragile components
- ABS is selected when impact strength and durability are prioritized over transparency and cost
Production Route for IC Storage 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
How IC Storage Tubes Is Checked
- Critical dimension control within 5 mils on PVC and +/- 2 mils on PC to prevent feeding issues
- 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
What Can Change on IC Storage Tubes
- Tube length cut to your magazine or carton pitch from 50mm to 1000mm
- 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 impact and environmental needs
- Colour from transparent blue black red yellow 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
Comparing IC Storage Tubes
| Tape and reel | Tubes handle larger and heavier bodies 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, tubes cost less per device and load directly into tube feeders |
| Bulk bag packing | Tubes cost more per unit than bulk bags but eliminate random orientation ESD exposure and operator loading time |
| Standard stock tubes from a catalogue | Custom profiles require one-time tooling and 4-6 weeks lead time, stock profiles ship in 5-15 days but only fit devices the profile was drawn for |
Working With IC Storage Tubes
- Send a tube drawing a 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 storage tubes.
How Anti Static IC Tubes Are Made From PVC
The process starts with PVC resin fed into an extruder.
Read Guide
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
Materials For Anti Static IC Tubes
IC shipping tubes are made from several plastics including PVC, PS, PET, PC, and ABS.
Read GuideWhere It Is Used
Where ic storage 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 ApplicationIC Storage Tubes Buyer Questions
What is the minimum order quantity for IC Storage 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. PS is halogen free and cheaper but more brittle. PC is used for tight tolerance and high impact. PETG offers the strongest impact strength. ABS is used when impact strength matters more than transparency.
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 Storage Tubes Quoted
A drawing, a sample or the physical component is enough. Sales and engineering come back within 24 hours.