Welcome to our FAQ. For unanswered questions, contact Sales@ox3.com.
Products & dimensions
How do I calculate parts per meter?
Take the number 1,000 and divide it by the carrier tape's pitch in millimeters. For example, a tape with a 4mm pitch holds 250 parts per meter. (Note: this is the pre-existing OX3 FAQ answer — kept verbatim.)
What's the difference between tape pitch and tape width?
Tape width (W) is the overall width of the carrier tape — typically 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 24mm, 32mm, 44mm, 56mm, or 72mm. Tape pitch (P) is the center-to-center distance between consecutive component pockets along the tape. The right width matches your component footprint, and the right pitch sets your placement-machine feed rate.
How do I read OX3's product titles?
Each title encodes the key dimensions: 'OX3 24mm Carrier Tape, 16mm Pitch · 11.63×14.68×8.05mm pocket, 26 mpr/reel' means a 24mm-wide tape with 16mm pitch, holding pockets that are 11.63mm wide × 14.68mm long × 8.05mm deep, with 26 meters of tape per reel.
What is mpr?
'mpr' stands for meters per reel — the total length of carrier tape wound onto a single reel. Combined with pitch, it tells you how many components a reel can hold (parts per meter × mpr = parts per reel).
What do A, B, and Ko refer to in a carrier tape pocket spec?
A is the pocket width, B is the pocket length, and Kₒ (Ko) is the pocket depth measured from the tape surface down. EIA-481-F specifies these dimensions for every carrier tape format.
What's the difference between MPR, PPM, and PPR?
MPR = meters per reel (length of tape). PPM = parts per meter (1,000 ÷ pitch in mm). PPR = parts per reel (PPM × MPR). RPC = reels per case (cases ship multiple reels together).
Are OX3 carrier tapes EIA-481 compliant?
Yes. All OX3 carrier tape configurations conform to EIA-481-F (the current revision of the SMT tape and reel industry standard with the formal title: "4 mm Through 200 mm Embossed Carrier Taping and 8 mm & 12 mm Punched Carrier Taping of Surface Mount Components for Automatic Handling). Custom dimensions are tooled to your component drawing on request and verified against EIA-481 pocket-dimension tolerances.
What are the standard pitches available?
EIA-481 standard pitches are 4mm, 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm, 36mm, 40mm, 44mm, 48mm, 56mm, 72mm, and 88mm — used in combinations with the tape width that match the component. OX3 utilizes the most common pitches specified by pick-n-place equipment makers; less common pitches are made-to-order with a 1–4 week lead time.
JEDEC, ESD & compliance
What is JEDEC and why does it matter?
JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) sets the worldwide standards for semiconductor device packaging, including tray dimensions, moisture sensitivity, and handling. JEDEC-compliant trays are interchangeable across pick-and-place equipment from any vendor — critical for high-volume assembly lines and parts with delicate leads.
Do you supply Wafle packs for matrix tray loading?
Yes. OX3's Traymania™ -branded matrix trays handle miniscule surface-mount components down to 0.020" × 0.010" × 0.010" (per the matrix tray standard). Common configurations include 0202, 0303, 0606 device sizes — see /collections/jedec-trays.
What is an ESD rating and why does my tape need it?
Surface resistivity (measured in Ω/sq) indicates how readily a material dissipates electrostatic charge. ESD-safe carrier tapes typically have surface resistivity between 10⁴ and 10¹¹ Ω/sq — dissipative enough to bleed off charge but not so conductive they short component leads. Required for MOSFETs, CMOS, and any component with an HBM rating below 2 kV.
What is J-STD-033 and what does it cover?
J-STD-033D (current revision) defines the handling, packing, and shipping of moisture-sensitive surface-mount devices (MSDs). It specifies the dry-bag packaging, humidity indicator cards, baking schedules, and floor-life limits for MSL 1 through MSL 6 components. OX3's baking services follow IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033D, which is formally titled "Handling, Packing, Shipping and Use of Moisture, Reflow, and Process Sensitive Devices."
What ISO certifications does OX3 hold?
OX3 is certified to ISO 9001-2015 by NQA (National Quality Assurance) — the international standard for quality management systems. The certificate covers our wholesale distribution and value-added packaging services for semiconductor materials. Certificate details and scope are available at /pages/iso-certification.
Does OX3 support RoHS, REACH, and conflict-minerals reporting?
Yes. OX3 supplies RoHS-compliant materials by default and can provide REACH SVHC and conflict-minerals (CMRT) documentation on request for any SKU. Contact Sales@ox3.com with your compliance requirements.
Baking & moisture
What is moisture sensitivity baking?
Surface-mount components classified MSL 2 and higher absorb atmospheric moisture during shelf life. Before reflow soldering, they must be baked dry to prevent 'popcorning' (internal vapor explosions damaging the package). OX3 operates with Blue-M Model LO-2782 ovens each carrying 36 ft³ of heating space, baking per J-STD-033D recipes.
How long does typical baking take?
Baking schedules depend on the MSL classification: MSL 2a/3 typically 4 hours at 125°C, MSL 4/5 typically 8–24 hours at 125°C, MSL 5a/6 up to 96 hours or more depending on body thickness. J-STD-033D Table 4-1 gives the exact recipe per package thickness and MSL.
Can I send my own components in for baking?
Yes. OX3 provides baking as a value-added service. Send us your components with their MSL and target ship date; we bake to J-STD-033D, re-bag in dry-pack with fresh humidity indicator cards and desiccant, and ship same-day or next-day depending on the lot size.
What's the floor life of an unbaked MSL 3 component?
Per J-STD-033D, an MSL 3 component has 168 hours of floor life at ≤30°C/60% RH after dry-pack opening. After that window, it requires baking before reflow. OX3 ships with fresh dry-pack and humidity indicator cards so the clock starts at customer receipt, not at OX3 packing.
Ordering, MOQ & lead times
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Most OX3 carrier tape and Kapton SKUs have a 1-reel/1-roll MOQ — you can order a single reel. Custom-tooled configurations may have a higher MOQ depending on the tooling investment; we'll confirm before quoting. See /pages/trade-account for our $1,000 open-credit-on-first-order program.
What's the lead time for in-stock products?
In-stock SKUs ship same business day on orders placed by 2:00 PM ET (Mon–Fri, excluding U.S. holidays). Our Devens, MA facility ships via FedEX Ground by default; expedited UPS and FedEx options available at checkout.
What about out-of-stock or custom-tooled products?
Out-of-stock and made-to-order SKUs typically ship 1–4 weeks from order confirmation. Custom-tooled carrier tapes for new component dimensions usually run 4–8 weeks depending on tooling complexity. We confirm the actual lead time on the quote/order acknowledgement.
Do you offer volume pricing?
Yes. Volume pricing applies by cumulative dollar spend across each annual period. Tiered breaks start as low as $10,000; specific % discounts depend on the SKU family. Request a contract quote for your project quantities at /pages/quote.
Can I pay with a Purchase Order (PO)?
Yes. Reference your PO number at checkout (or email it to Sales@ox3.com) and we'll match it to your invoice. Standard payment terms are Net-14 days from shipment date. New customers receive $1,000 of open credit on their first order — no application required.
Can I get a quote before I order?
Yes. Request a quote at /pages/quote — tell us the SKU(s), quantity, target ship date, and any special requirements (NDA, ISO/IPC/J-STD certifications, custom packaging). A member of the OX3 sales team responds within one business day.
Shipping & returns
Can I use my own UPS or FedEx account?
Yes — at no markup. Provide your account number at checkout or email it to Sales@ox3.com. We ship at your negotiated rate with no handling fee. The most cost-effective option for customers with established carrier relationships.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. International shipments go via FedEx International, UPS Worldwide, or freight forwarder depending on destination and weight. The recipient is the importer of record and pays customs duties, taxes, and brokerage fees. We will not ship to destinations prohibited under U.S. export-control regulations.
What's your return policy?
All claims for shortages, damage, or inaccurate fulfillment must be received within 30 days of receipt. Returns require an Return Material Authorization (RMA) number issued in advance. Goods must be unused, in original packaging, and at the current revision level. Full policy at /policies/refund-policy.
Are custom-manufactured items returnable?
Custom-manufactured products, cut-to-length materials, and made-to-order trays are non-returnable except in the case of confirmed manufacturing defects. We ask for Engineering sign-off and recommend ordering a sample first for any new custom tooling.
OX3 services
What is OX3?
OX3 Corporation is America's oldest family-owned and operated non-durable wholesaler of semiconductor packaging materials and value-added services. We've supplied the semiconductor industry since 1972 from our facility at the former U.S. Army Base at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Brands include Reelpak® (carrier tape), Reel.biz™ (take-up reels), Traymania™ (JEDEC trays), and Orion Tape and Reel® (Value-added services).
What services do you offer beyond materials?
OX3 provides surface-mount tape and reel, matrix and JEDEC tray loading, magazine tube loading, moisture-sensitive baking (J-STD-033D), and turnkey component sourcing and packaging. See /pages/services for the full list.
Can OX3 design custom packaging for our component?
Yes. Send us your component drawing (or the actual component) and our engineering team designs the optimal carrier tape, tray, or tube configuration — including custom shapes if needed. Initial design consultation is charged hourly; tooling investment depends on the component complexity.
Do you do private-label or contract packaging?
Yes. OX3 supports private-label packaging for distributors and contract manufacturers — your branding on materials and packaging that match your customer's specs. Contact Sales@ox3.com with your project requirements.