RH Murphy Company invented “flippable” JEDEC BGA trays, ISOPAK carriers, universal JEDEC PGA trays, and has designed and manufactured thousands of different custom trays and carriers for semiconductors, ICs, micro electronics and other precision components. An approved supplier to semiconductor, aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics manufacturers, suppliers, and users, RH Murphy is ready to help you with your component and device handling needs.
The JEDEC Matrix Tray outline gives you instant compatibility with automation equipment, process tools, and packaging accessories used throughout the electronics industry. Knowing how JEDEC trays are used, and what matters most for success, makes the difference in critical situations. RH Murphy’s experience, exclusive RapidTray® program and NoStat® ESD-safe polymers are just a few of the reasons to come to RH Murphy Company for QFN your trays.


QFN Tray Features
- QFN matrix trays are easy to load, unload, and reload, again and again, unlike tape and reel packaging.
- JEDEC matrix trays are great for automation.
- RH Murphy Co.’s NoStat® ESD-safe materials provide electrical and mechanical protection for your QFNs.
- Custom QFN trays sized for your parts provide accurate positioning for precise placement.
Applications for QFN JEDEC Matrix Trays
QFN matrix trays are not as common as some other JEDEC matrix trays, partly because the devices do not have fragile leads that need to be protected. As QFN use has increased, the use of QFN trays has also increased. Although tape and reel remains a popular packaging option, it cannot match the versatility of JEDEC matrix trays.
The tray pocket dimensions are critical for getting maximum benefit from a matrix tray. QFNs are frequently described by their approximate size, in millimeter increments. But their actual size is often a bit smaller. It is important that the tray pocket is sized correctly. If the pocket is too large, parts will rotate in the pocket, causing placement and processing errors.
JEDEC matrix trays can carry your QFNs through testing, marking, inspection, moisture bake, shipping, and into pick and place board attachment. Trays are appropriate for handling a few parts in a prototype or engineering environment, as well as in moderate and high volume series production. High quality RH Murphy Co. matrix trays can be baked, cleaned, reloaded, reused, however your process requires.
Benefits of Using QFN Trays
All matrix trays are not the same. Although considered by some to be a commodity, if you are not using a tray that is specifically designed for your part, you may be giving up many of the advantages or putting your parts and process at risk of damage or failure.
- Precision pocket sizing protects your QFN and positions your parts with minimum rotation.
- NoStat® ESD-safe polymers protect your parts from ESD damage and are cleaner than carbon powder loaded materials.
- Having a choice of temperature ratings for your trays means you don’t pay for capability you don’t need but can have it when you do.
- Automation compatibility improves productivity, yield, and total value.
- Recognized JEDEC tray size lets you use existing packing materials, straps, tray loaders, and handling equipment.
Specifications of QFN Trays
JEDEC matrix trays are sized and have the features described in JEDEC’s matrix tray design guide. The basic size of a JEDEC tray is 12.4”/315mm x 5.35”/135.9mm.
Pricing & Availability
Most QFN applications are well matched with our RapidTray® Machined Tray Program which follows JEDEC standard tray outlines and utilizes molded tray “blanks” that are CNC machined to create custom pockets for your parts. The customized component trays also serve as covers for the trays below when stacked. Cover trays (without machining) are a cost-saving option and can be purchased to be used on top of stacks of one or more device trays. Most QFN applications will fit well in our RapidTray® RHM-940/941 machined matrix trays.
The RapidTray® process produces custom trays without the need for custom tooling or fixtures – a small NRE charge for design and CNC programming is required for the first order only. Tray pricing is not quantity-dependent so there is no pressure to order unneeded trays to get to a price break. Minimum order quantity is low and standard lead time is a week for most orders.
If tray order quantities are going to be high, the path to lower cost is a custom mold that produces trays without custom machining. The point at which a custom molded tray is cost effective is usually when RapidTray® Machined Tray usage in a single configuration is in the thousands. At this point, the savings in unit price offsets the initial costs associated with mold construction. A new, custom molded tray can require several weeks to bring on line but, once approved for production, delivery can be coordinated with your demand. If you anticipate this volume, we would be happy to provide a proposal for custom molded trays that do not require any secondary machining.
Request a Quote
Your next step is to tell us about your needs so we can build the correct tray for your application. A drawing, model or sample of your QFN and a few simple details are all we need to connect you with your custom QFN tray.
Here is the information we will use to determine your best tray option and generate your quotation.
- Sample, CAD model, or drawing of the module or part with accurate dimensions (± .005”/0.13mm)
- Quantity of parts for which you will need trays, now and overall, and anticipated ordering quantities
- Timeline for your tray requirements
- Temperature requirements – Do you need bakeable trays (rated up to 180°C) or non-bakeable (rated up to 60°C) or another temperature
- How tray will be used – shipping, storage, processing, automated or manual handling
- Any special requirements for your process
Call us, send an email, or click here to receive your quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use QFN trays instead of Tape and Reel?
Matrix trays serve double duty as protective packaging and manufacturing fixtures. Unlike tape, trays can be unloaded and reloaded easily making trays the preferred method to move components through the manufacturing environment. Trays are equally appropriate for automated or manual handling. Trays are perfect for small lot automation.
Are there standard trays?
Most trays are part specific with pockets designed for a particular sized QFN. It is not uncommon to try to use an open-tooled tray designed for a larger part but there are notable risks doing so.
Off the shelf trays are trays designed for a specific part but sold with enough frequency that a manufacturer or distributor maintains some inventory.
Can the same tray be used for different sized parts?
If tray pockets are not the correct size, parts that are too big can be lost or damaged. Parts that are too small will move around in the pockets. Too much clearance can allow part damage. Excess clearance can also cause problems with automated pickup and placement. Clearance may be acceptable if trays will only be used in a manual process and are not being used for shipping.
Parts that differ only in thickness/height may share trays designed for the thickest/tallest version. Too much extra pocket depth can allow damage during shipping or may make part removal difficult.
What colors are available?
RH Murphy trays are usually blue, if non-bakeable, or black if rated for higher temperatures. Other colors are possible for non-bakeable trays on a special-order basis. Colors other than black are not readily available for bakeable trays because of the difficulty making pigment that can withstand the manufacturing process.
Where are the trays made?
RH Murphy Company currently manufactures all tray in the U.S.A.
What is the minimum order quantity?
RapidTray® QFN Trays have a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 5 trays. New custom molded QFN matrix trays have no formal MOQ but NRE charges for new trays make 250 or 500 a practical lower limit.
Are sample trays available?
Because most trays will be custom manufactured to order, sample trays are not usually available. If we have an existing design of a custom molded tray that is appropriate, and have any inventory, a sample may be possible. With RapidTray® Machined Matrix Trays, the low MOQ makes ordering a small quantity for evaluation very practical.