the norm, however, I don't think it can be counted on. And while I am expressing my opinion, this is what I think is happening...

Somewhere around here (on TheChipBoard) someone posted a picture of a cord mold mold, used to create a cord mold chip. (It may have been Cigarman, but I'm not positive. In any event, perhaps the owner might read this and re-post the picture, please?)

Anyway, the all metal mold comes in 2 halves, which I believe are called "cups". In the clay composition chip manufacturing process, multiple cups are bolted to a steel plate (in a 4 x 4 or 5 x 5 pattern, perhaps other configurations as well). A matching set of cups are also bolted to another steel plate, in the same pattern and then the plates are strapped/mounted into a press. The clay composition material is placed into the cups, the cups are heated, the plates are pressed together (mating the cups into sets). After the appropriate pressue and time, the plates are separated, the cups release their chips and the process repeats for another group of chips.

I believe that at one time, there were plates with bolted on cups that were all LCVs or SCVs and they were purposely mated with the corresponding versions when 2 plates were put into the press. However, over time, as cups wore down or broke, they got replaced with whatever cups were available and this allowed for mixing of LCV SCV cups.

Or, since the cups are removable from the plates, it is possible that as a part of the maintenace or production process, cups are removed, buffed, cleaned, inspected, or who knows what and since the difference between the 2 molds is so slight, they have been mixed when returned to the plates.

As I recall, this anomally was noted some years ago (here on TheChipBoard) and when Gene Trimble brought it up with GPI (Paul-Son) in Las Vegas, they were unaware that chips being produced in Mexico were being made that way.

Well, that is what I think is going on, but it is speculation on my part. I would look to more knowledgible people than myself on this topic, like Gene or Jim Blanchard.

See you next week!

Jim