PICMG 1.3 SBC supports top-speed Pentium 4

"A fully RoHS compliant single board computer is the world's first full-size PICMG 1.3 product to support socket LGA775 processors up to Pentium 4 at speeds up to 3.8GHz." Source: electronicstalk.com

Solectron Charlotte Gains IPC RoHS Certification

"EMS supplier Solectron Corp. said today that its Charlotte, N.C., site is the first manufacturing site of a tier 1 EMS supplier to gain IPC's RoHS certification. Solectron Charlotte was the beta test site for IPC -- Association Connecting Electronics Industries' Restrictions on Hazardous Materials (RoHS) Lead Free Electronics Assembly Process Capability." Source: reed-electronics.com

ChinaRoHS.com

"Design Chain Associates, LLC announces that the only website dedicated to China’s new law entitled "Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products", otherwise known as "China RoHS", is now live and active. On www.chinarohs.com now you can find links to:
-- The law itself on the MII website,
-- An English translation of the law, and the clarification of its detailed and extensive scope,
-- Links to commentary on the law and its precedents,
-- The original submission from the Chinese government to the World Trade Organization Technical -- Barriers to Trade Committee,
-- And much more" Source: emsnow.com

EMA Adds Capabilities to Facilitate RoHS/WEEE Compliance

"EMA Design Automation, a provider of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions, today announced that it has integrated software from Omnify into its EDM environment to make the adherence to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance directives even easier." Source: sdcexec.com

GTK - Next day UK delivery of low cost RoHS connectors

"A wide range of low-price standard connectors can now be delivered the next day in the UK, from a new service offered by interconnection specialist, GTK. The '2go' range of parts comprises 200 of the most popular line items in the company's portfolio - and all the parts are RoHS compliant, says the company." Source: electropages.com

Cirronet(TM) WIT2410 Wireless Data Module Joins Company's RoHS-Compliant Lineup

"Cirronet's popular WIT2410 wireless OEM module is now shipping in full RoHS (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances) compliance, joining the WIT2450 in the company's growing lead-free product line. Cirronet RoHS-compliant products use the original part number with a "-G" added at the end, meaning that the RoHS-compliant WIT2410 is part number WIT2410M2-G. Cirronet customers with orders already placed for the non-RoHS compliant WIT2150 can change those orders to the RoHS compliant module, which sells at the same price." Source: businesswire.com

RoHS Programme Focuses on Continued Compliance

"Design Chain Associates has developed a new service designed to help electronics OEMs ensure their ability to continue to develop and produce RoHS-compliant products. Although the electronics industry has spent an inordinate amount of time, effort, and money to make sure products comply with the upcoming implementation date of 1st July 2006 for the European Union's RoHS Directive, far less attention has been paid to remaining compliant after the date has come and gone. RoHS compliance must become part of how electronics OEMs operate, which is conceptually no different than having to comply with other legal and safety requirements that already exist, such as the EU's CE mark or the USA's FCC rules part 15." Source: electronicstalk.com

RoHS-compliant SBC announced

"The VersaLogic PC/104-Plus ‘Lynx’ board is now fully RoHS compliant says UK-based technical representative and distributor Sarsen Technology. According to Sarsen the board was developed after considerable research and testing with lead-free components, solder, and new manufacturing processes. In addition, VersaLogic worked closely with its vendors to evaluate and certify the plating of all components in order to address tin whisker concerns in long-term applications." Source: cieonline.co.uk

Corning looks to greener glass

"Corning Inc. is trying to do its part to ensure that future liquid crystal displays are not harmful to the environment. Corning has launched what it claims is the first LCD glass substrate free of heavy metals. Called Eagle XG, the glass is formulated without arsenic, antimony, and barium--- all metals often present in existing LCD glass formulations. The company has for years been trying to phase out the use of heavy metals to achieve lighter, thinner glass, but now also believes the new glass formulation will help it keep with a tightening of environmental regulations associated with the impending Restrictions of the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive." Source: eetimes.com

Genesis Electronics Manufacturing now RoHS compliant

"Genesis Electronics Manufacturing, Inc. ("GEM") announced that it is now accepting factory orders to provide lead free & RoHS compliant electronic manufacturing services to OEM customers." Source: emsnow.com

ECS releases RoHS compliant motherboard

"Elitegroup Computer Systems, Inc. (ECS), a computer hardware and notebook manufacturer, is releasing a RoHS compliant motherboard designed around Intel Viiv Technology. The 945G-M3 Micro-ATX M/B offers a powerhouse of digital media features and performance, utilizing the full capabilities of the Intel 945G Express chipset and Intel ICH7DH South Bridge. The 945G-M3 is one of several new ECS motherboards manufactured to full RoHS compliance. Using Intel's Viiv technology, it not only brings digital entertainment anywhere, but also represents an affordable, solid platform with great connectivity that users and content developers can grow with." Source: ciol.com

WEEE/RoHS Directives doomed to fail, says consultant

"Europe's electronic waste and hazardous substances legislation "is failing before it begins", according to environmental consultant eco3. The UK firm said the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive are being impemented in widely differing ways across Europe, leading to confusion and inequality. “The WEEE regulations allow each European country to interpret the legislation slightly differently, resulting in different rules in different countries. For example, some countries require a visible fee to be charged when a product is sold, others don’t. Some countries define products in different ways, and the definition of key terms in RoHS differ from one country to another," said Mark Shayler, director of eco3." Source: electronicsweekly.com

HMI Touch Screens meet RoHS directive

"Pro-face AGP3000 Series includes 19 models of graphic operator interface terminals ranging from 6 in. monochrome and TFT displays to 15 in. HMI displays. The new AGP3000 Series is a complete line of graphic operator interface panels created from the ground up for high performance and high reliability with new self-guiding, intuitive screen editor software. The AGP3000 is one of the first-to-market in HMIs meeting the new ROHS "lead-free" European directive along with global certifications including CE, UL, cUL, Class I, Division 2 ratings." Source: thomasnet.com

The Impact of RoHS on Military and Aerospace Applications

"By July 1, 2006, all electrical and electronic items (as defined by RoHS) available in Europe will be required to comply with low-ppm levels for six restricted substances. The major impact is the limit of 1,000 ppm applied to lead content, as this requires a wholesale change to electronic PCB soldering processes and materials. There still are challenges for manufacturers of mission-critical products arising from two trends of lead-free production. First, commercial assemblies need to transition to lead-free. Second, the reflow medium will typically be based on SnAgCu (SAC); therefore, components must be compatible with this material and must retain reverse-compatibility with tin/lead systems that have not yet converted. The ideal, low-cost termination material for passive components meeting the above requirements is matte-tin." Source: smt.pennnet.com

Yorkshire venue for RoHS and WEEE convention

"Electronics Yorkshire, TWI and Envirowise have teamed up to run a two-day convention focusing on forthcoming RoHS and WEEE legislation. 'Compliance means Business' is scheduled to take place at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate on April 5 and 6 and has been designed to raise awareness within the electronics industry that compliance with the new European directives on WEEE and RoHS can create new business opportunities. It will also provide greater understanding of all the issues that will impact on the electronics industry." Source: eetuk.com

RoHS Readiness: More than Materials Documentation

"The industry is racing against the clock to meet the requirements of European legislation, called the Requirements of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), that will go into effect on July 1, 2006. The legislation will ban several substances including lead and lead bearing solder. In addition, California�s laws, mirroring RoHS legislation, take effect in early 2007, while China has recently passed similar legislation. Critical lead free issues include new alloys and material evaluations, inspection changes, tin whiskers, lead free on advanced packages, like chip scale and flip chip, and reliability. Assembly operations will face increased assembly costs, perhaps 15% higher, and will be impacted in areas beyond manufacturing, such as field support, sales, marketing and training." Source: reed-electronics.com