Episode 16 IC Packaging COTS vs Custom Packaging
20 November 2025
Show Notes
Welcome to Episode 16 of Force Tech Talks and our very first episode in the new studio setup. In this instalment,
Charlotte
and
Ben
explore one of the most discussed topics in the obsolescence and semiconductor space: COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) Packaging versus Custom Packaging.
What is the difference between COTS and custom packages?
When should you consider investing in a custom solution?
What are the lead time and cost implications?
How do packaging choices affect long-term reliability and lifecycle support?
From military-grade ceramics to soft and hard tooling strategies, Ben and Charlotte demystify the technical terms and share practical insights to help engineers, procurement teams and project managers make informed packaging decisions for high-reliability and long-life applications.
If you are working in defence, aerospace or any industry affected by component obsolescence, this episode provides clear and actionable guidance.
Topics Covered
00:00 – Introduction and studio update
00:46 – Why packaging is becoming a key topic
01:10 – Defining COTS packaging
02:27 – Use cases for custom packaging
05:07 – Tooling options and lead time considerations
07:13 – Ceramic versus plastic packages
09:27 – Soft vs hard tooling decisions
11:00 – Modern packaging techniques and benefits
12:23 – Summary and closing thoughts
If you find the talk interesting, please like and share on YouTube and get in touch with the team to find out how we can help to solve your obsolescence issue.
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