The pink plastic bags have an "anti-static" coating so that when you rub against them it doesn't create a static charge (the triboelectric effect). Unfortunately that coating wears off, so that when you rummage through the pink plastic bags in your parts box, it generates a significant static charge. To provide static protection, you need the black static dissipative bags. Adafruit packages static-sensitive parts in black bags, and non static-sensitive parts in pink bags when they might be stored near static-sensitive parts.
The pad placement for the headers on the pixelblaze is wonky. They stagered. You can see it if you look at the pads vs the silkscreen. Holes look big enough that hates should fit though.
Probably designed that way to lock in header pins before soldering. Sparkfun has a "locking" header footprint for EAGLE/KiCad that does the same thing. It's OK, but it makes repair a bit of a pain. Best approach to removing the pins is to cut up or remove the plastic bit holding them together, and remove them one by one.
Totally agree on removing pins that way if using a soldering iron. Same with many other multi-leg components. Some day maybe I'll get a hot-air gun and see how that does.
Highlight of my week! Thanks AdaTeam! Love the new products!
New new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new.
The pink plastic bags have an "anti-static" coating so that when you rub against them it doesn't create a static charge (the triboelectric effect). Unfortunately that coating wears off, so that when you rummage through the pink plastic bags in your parts box, it generates a significant static charge.
To provide static protection, you need the black static dissipative bags. Adafruit packages static-sensitive parts in black bags, and non static-sensitive parts in pink bags when they might be stored near static-sensitive parts.
Always inspiring.
The pad placement for the headers on the pixelblaze is wonky. They stagered. You can see it if you look at the pads vs the silkscreen. Holes look big enough that hates should fit though.
Probably designed that way to lock in header pins before soldering. Sparkfun has a "locking" header footprint for EAGLE/KiCad that does the same thing. It's OK, but it makes repair a bit of a pain. Best approach to removing the pins is to cut up or remove the plastic bit holding them together, and remove them one by one.
Totally agree on removing pins that way if using a soldering iron. Same with many other multi-leg components. Some day maybe I'll get a hot-air gun and see how that does.