Axial-leaded products such as resistors, inductors, and capacitors are an important part of modern electronics even with the proliferation of inexpensive SMT components. Critical for prototyping, maker/hobbyist projects, and often able to withstand higher energy values than SMT components, these products remain relevant even today. We’ve had some questions on some of these products recently however, customer asking us if the products are damaged or defective when they show up with minor bends or snags in their leads. Is this an issue, and will it prevent the leads from being formed properly after the products arrive?
In general, no. The leads on these types of devices are designed and intended to be easy to bend and form; minor bends from a shipping jostle or two aren’t going to cause problems or damage the parts, nor will they cause significant issues with utilizing the parts after receiving them. Using the proper tools can help a great deal as well; for more information on this, you can check out Bending and Forming Leads.