Re: Maxim parts and lead times.

From: Anton Erasmus (nobody_at_nowhere.net)
Date: 06/25/04 

Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 21:24:42 +0200

On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 23:20:15 GMT, "Michael Anton"
<manton@nocompusmart.spamab.ca> wrote:

[top posting fixed]
>
>
>"Mike V." <valemike@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:8188616d.0406140821.8deadd3@posting.google.com...
>> I've used Maxim parts in the past - e.g. writing E1 and T1 device
>> drivers in a past telecom job.
>>
>> They have a lot of nifty stuff - e.g. signal line debouncers/ESD
>> protectors (MAX6818), iButton, etc.
>>
>> When I request samples, I usually get them in a week or so. But I see
>> that their lead times are anywhere from 10-14 weeks -- heck, even a
>> common MAX232 chip takes two months to purchase! you can get similiar
>> max232 chips elsewhere next day air by the thousands.
>>
>> Is Maxim just simply overwhelmed with orders? Or do they have a
>> manufacturing problem?
>

>As I understand it, Maxim is a FABless semiconductor house,
>so they are just using other companies excess FAB capacity, which
>would explain much of the problem.

Maxim bought Dallas Semiconductors. Did they also not have any
manufacturing capability ?
When maxim first started, they were easy to get in small quantities.
Nowadays it seems almost impossible to get any of their parts in small
quantities, except if places like RS Components and digikey happen to
stock them.

Regards
   Anton Erasmus