Ramon,
You cannot make this type of transition without research and development. This is not a case of being able to just drop in a lead-free material in place of a eutectic, especially if you are manufacturing sensitive products. This is why it is imortant to to start thinking about changing now rather than later. As far as using materials with no track record this is another reason why research and development are important. Also I am not suggesting that production of product be halted while transitioning. We have been working with companies that are currently making the transition to lead-free and they have not halted their production lines. They have had to schedule lines and work the lead-free in where possible. This transition is going to take many companies out of their comfort zones, but it can be done successfully.
Best Regards
Joe Russeau
Precision Analytical Lab
P: 765-455-1993
"Dehoyos, Ramon" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi Joe:
The question is, isn't there enough variables as it is now to deal with? What it is described below is research and development. We have to build product that may go in very sensitive pieces of equipment. Some will have to use solders with no track record and expose boards and parts to much hotter environment for reflow.
Regards,
Ramon
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Precision Analytical
Lab
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 5:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Lead free
Ken,
Certainly I agree with your comments. The lead-free challenge is maybe a bit more difficult then past transitions. But it is still up to you (the manufacturer) to find the materials that will work best for your product. Doug Pauls always tells me and I quote "It depends" when I have asked questions of him with respect to these issues. His answer (while seemingly to avoid) makes alot of sense. You have to define for your product what alloys, what laminates, what fluxes, what materials etc. are going to work best based on the end use environment. Not everyone in manufacturing is privy to your process environment or product/s or for that matter their end use environment. Those people who have answered you the way I did are trying to be helpful in a cautious way. If I or anyone else were to tell you to use a SAC alloy of Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5 and it not work with your product or
manufacturing style; who ends up with egg on their face? My role as an independant analysts is t!
o help
you find the solutions that will work, not to pull them out of the air. The question of where to begin requires some thought on your part. Unfortunately there are no cookie cutter answers and I would be cautious of those who try pass off as though there are.
Best Regards
Joe Russeau
Precision Analaytical Laboratory
"Bloomquist, Ken" wrote:
Hi Joe,
I don't know how many times I've been given the same answer that you gave. I think what people are asking is what it the optimal place to start given a particular industry.
While there are a ton if different leaded alloys the industry pretty much standardized on 63/37. Sure there were a few exceptions but in general if you were getting started that was the best place to start.
What probably every small and even some large companies are asking is "where do we start to achieve the greatest degree of success". Everyone still has to qualify their process but at least if they were given an average board type, flux type, solder type, paste type, etc. that has a little track record, it sure would help.
My 2C worth,
KennyB
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Precision Analytical
Lab
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 2:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Lead free
Mustafa,
While many may be willing to share what lead-free materials have worked well for their manufacturing environment, it is still up to you or whoever makes those desicions in your organization to find ones that will work for your process. It has been stated many times that qualifying to lead-free is the same as any other process qualification. You have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Unfortunately for everyone, alot of research time and work has to go into transitioning a process from one material to another. To answer your question about which material, try talking with Kester or Alpha Metals. Both have good reputations and their materials can be found in numerous manufacturing operations.
As far as alternatives to lead-free, the answer is unfortunatley no. The choice is lead or no lead. If your company plans on selling product to Europe, then it is required that the materials used within circuit board manufacturing not contain any lead by July of 2006.
It sounds like you have alot of work ahead. I hope all goes well. If you need further assistance, contact us offline.
Regards
Joe Russeau
Precision Analytical Laboratory
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