Little EMS presence at 2010 INTERNEPCON Japan

VentureOutsource.com: "Soldering was another big topic within the circuit board assembling zone. Solder suppliers and soldering equipment vendors that included Nihon Almit, Senju Metal, Nihon Genma, Tamura, Harima Chemical, Nihon Superior and Koki secured large booths.

Unfortunately, time was tight and I did not have enough time to check out any new technologies or products from these companies; however, it was my understanding that no big breakthrough products emerged this year. Lead free soldering is already too common in the industry, and a few exhibitors promoted a soldering processes using halogen free flux. Unfortunately, there was little interest in this new process and not too many stopped by these booths to hear sales pitches."

New separators for tin atomising system

Metal Powder Report: "Russell Finex is supplying its range of separators to Atomising Systems Ltd as part of an atomising system for a major tin producer and exporter in China.

A major tin producer and exporter in China purchased a new centrifugal atomiser that could increase productivity while also reducing product wastage. In order to comply with international standards, the atomised solder powder requires a particle size of less than 45 micron. In addition, to prevent introducing a bottleneck into the production process, the system needed to maintain throughput rates of 110Kg/hr to match upstream processes."

“The atomising package along with the Russell Finex machines have dramatically increased the company’s production levels more than four-fold,” said Dr Paul Rose, technical sales manager for Atomising Systems Ltd.

California to switch to lead-free plumbing

Home Channel News: "(Nov. 16) In an effort to minimize lead contamination of drinking water, a new California law will prohibit the sale of any lead-containing pipes, plumbing fixtures, fittings, solder or flux that will come into contact with drinking water. The new law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, also includes any materials used in repair work."

Lead is a common additive in many plumbing alloys such as lead solder, brass and bronze. It can be found in kitchen and bathroom faucets, pipe fitting, supply lines, brass fittings, shut-off valves and angles stops.

Plumbing and faucet manufacturers are just coming around to meeting the law's requirements, according to Augie Venezia, president of

Fairfax Lumber & Hardware in Fairfax, Calif. "We haven't had a chance to flush out old inventory," Venezia said. The retailers, he suspects, will be left holding the bag.

Unlike some other environmental laws in the Golden State, there is no phase-in period or “grandfather” clause to the new lead-free law, according to a member e-mail sent by the Lumber Association of California and Nevada (LACN). Failure to comply with the new law will invoke heavy fines per incident, per item, the LACN warned. Starting on Jan. 1, 2010, all non-compliant merchandise identified on the list must be removed from the sales floor and will not be legal to sell in California.

SMTA accepting applications for Board of Directors

EMSNow: "The SMTA is currently seeking committed individuals for its Board of Directors. Candidates should have valuable skills and ideas to continue our mission of helping members succeed in electronics assembly and related business operations.

The SMTA is a volunteer-driven organization, meaning that from our chapters and educational programs to strategic planning and budget allocation, the SMTA relies on volunteers for the dynamic leadership which is so important to our members.

Nominations are being accepted through April 23, 2010 for the term that begins at SMTA International, October 24-28 in Orlando, FL. The only requirement is that candidates are SMTA members who have demonstrated commitment to the association."

Industry fears over 'substantial' changes to RoHS

Engineering industries body Orgalime has raised deep concerns over a European Parliament proposal to open the scope of the RoHS directive on hazardous substances to all electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). Several member states back the proposal.

In a letter to parliament rapporteur Jill Evans on Friday the industry body said the proposal had not been properly thought through, calling for a "thorough impact assessment". The EU's "better regulation" principle has not been applied, it says.

The "substantial" changes proposed by Ms Evans would bring nearly all "capital goods" using EEE equipment such as trains, planes, elevators and power plants under RoHS's scope. These goods "have specific safety requirements and are treated in a different way at the end of [their] life," according to Orgalime.

These types of equipment are not covered in a Danish impact assessment published by the Council of Ministers last week. The assessment concluded that opening RoHS's scope to all EEE equipment "may have quite wide-reaching consequences", and that "there may be a need for general exclusions for some product groups".

An aide to Ms Evans could not comment on whether the Green MEP would agree that further impact assessments are needed. But she said Denmark and the European Parliament were carrying out studies on a separate proposal for restrictions on additional hazardous substances.

A spokesperson for the Green group in the parliament challenged Orgalime's claim that the proposal for an open scope contravened the better regulation principle. He also pointed out that the changes would not bring the non-EEE parts of transport equipment into RoHS's scope.

Follow Up:

Orgalime press release

UK Parliament note on Lighting Technology

UK Parliament: "Electric lighting accounts for around one-fifth of electricity consumption, both in the UK and globally. Under recent legislation, the traditional incandescent lamp is being phased out in the UK, saving 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by 2020 (equivalent to the emissions of around 180,000 households today). This POSTnote gives an overview of energy efficient lighting currently available and under development. It examines policy initiatives to drive uptake, as well as relevant health, environmental, public perception and economic issues."

Report