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Just an idea...

gam3t3ch

So I know sometimes we get boards and don't use them. Projects change over time and parts are abundant.

 

I would love e14 or Newark USA and Canada at least to offer a recycle programs.

 

We send in our unused or working parts we no longer need and others can apply. Schools, low income. And even us to receive boards and parts we might not be able to buy or a trading program linked to our profiles of boards and items to trade with other members. 

 

I understand that its all about making money in the end.  But to me its also about growing the community and the members being able to partake in events and project14.

So would be a interesting thing even if it was geared to project14 only as far as donations go and then packages being sent out to member understandably shipping would have to be covered by those sending and receiving.

 

Not sure the fine details but its something I think should be considered in the future. In my opinion of course.

 

Just a thought that crossed my mind.

  • Hi Wesley,

     

    We have had this idea before.

    One of the big impediments is some of the technology restrictions on some of the boards.

     

    I suggest that you find a local maker space and donate your boards there or find some young budding makers in your area and pass them out.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    Great idea,

     

    I heard one is sometime coming to my area maybe I will hold off until then.  My only concern was giving it to those that really need it.  or have a use for it.

  • Several of us are doing that. We're exchanging kits, pcb and components. I have several boards here that members sent me, and my latest Road Test kit is on its way to the USA...

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    That's a great idea is there a group?

  • in reply to DAB

    DAB, what kind of technology restriction? I have always sent stuff here and there worldwide without problems. Is there something illegal ?

     

    Enrico

  • in reply to balearicdynamics

    There are regulations in the USA on exporting technology.

    Other bumps may be line voltage + frequency, and regional rules on what bandwidths you can send radio signals (e.g.: for sub-1 GHz communication)

  • in reply to balearicdynamics

    Hi Enrico,

     

    Some manufacturers must comply with technology export laws.

    They always supply this information in the fine print, so you should at least review those notes before you ship a specific device to a specific country.

     

    The last thing you need is to be put on a watch list or banned from flying over an inexpensive, but sensitive technology board.

     

    Given the small quantities you are  trading, it is probably not a big deal, but all it takes is one complaint and you could be facing some serious legal action.

     

    So please verify that you are not in violation.

     

    I would hate to lose an Element14 member to some dungeon somewhere.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    Hi DAB,

    I know those restrictions, many and different depending on the country. Just as an example I have customers in Ecuador that for a period bought not only the printing software but also the bluetooth printers from Spain due to some restrictions on buying from China. At that time I asked to the local Spanish custom office and they explained me that to make this possible I had just to add something (maybe a screw it is sufficient) so the product is not sold from China to the customer view Spain but it is a different product because there is a value added to it. The same occurred to some thousand of bluetooth printers I sold to the Zimbabwe Gas Distribution Company. In that case I have reflashed the printers with the company logo printed just before any slip receipt to make this possible and I have done many shipments. In cases like these also the Courier (I mean a serious courier like USP of FedEx whichI have a contract as import/export operator) is very helpful and they always got me the right suggestion, including the pro-forma invoices to avoid any illegal action.

    The worst case was when - as per the customer choice - I had to develop a BLE motor controller based on a Nordic IC that - due its militar range application - it was only authorised to be sold on the USA. In this case, very rare I should admit, it was the Nordic Europe that bought for me the small units needed for the prototypes and then they shipped tome Europe on Europe.

    Another aspect that should be take in serious account is the authorisation of the exporter to manage outside shipment of any kind of stuff. This is the reason that at a very low price (10 euro / year) I am EORI and ROI subscriber (International Extra European Import/Export and Register of Intra-community Operators, for Europe).

     

    But in the case I should send you any kind of board, from private to private, a used device, there is a declaration that I should compile that in few words say "material for development, personal use and non commercial. Not destined to reselling. Personal use for a collaborator". Together with this declaration I will declare 10$ as custom value as this is the minimum value that is not subject to custom taxes. In 90% of the cases I made a shipment of stuff like this, Packages are always arrived with the tape of "Custom controlled" and no exceptions have been raised at all.

     

    As this sort of personal "board exchange" refers as far as I know to this last case I was surprised of these laws. I can investigate in depth next time I have to ship something to private, maybe I missed something.

     

    Enrico

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    The question of the different voltage lines in Europe and USA maybe a serious problem but as far as I know today most of the power supply ae always multi-voltage, at least with a switch to set...

     

    Enrico