For those scratching their heads over how to screen electronic components for RoHS-compliance, Soldertec — part of the UK's Tin Technology — suggests X-rays as a useful alternative to costly and destructive chemical testing. For well-known component suppliers, an accreditation certificate will probably be sufficient, but for suppliers with a vague pedigree, screening may be necessary.
Soldertec suggests using XRF (X-ray florescence). The procedure is quick, easy and non-destructive. The electrons in the shell of the elements present in a sample are disrupted by a low-energy X-ray, and each element responds by producing X-rays at a unique set of energies, which allows each element to be measured. The test takes as little as two minutes. As for limitations, the test is only capable of detecting materials close to the surface, and while it easily detects lead, mercury and cadmium, it cannot distinguish the specific materials PBB, PBDE or hexavalent chromium.
Almost every automaker has had to 'pick a side' when it comes to alternative fuel options and ways to divest from a reliance on gasoline. Fiat is looking to back compressed natural gas or liquid propane as an interim solution.
Plastic may not be the most beloved of materials to the more environmentally minded, but Plasti 2012 aimed to mold a different opinion of the material in people's minds.
The rare earth element market has become steadily more rational, and new sources coming online will continue to reduce costs. Still, it is unlikely that prices will drop to their former lows.
Against a backdrop of mounting product complexity and a need to keep a lid on development costs, companies are recognizing a need to make simulation a more integral part of the design process. In response, vendors in the CAD world are building out CAE functionality as part of their CAD suites while simulation vendors are building tighter integrations to leading CAD tools. Keith Meintjes, Ph.D., Practice Manager, Simulation and Analysis at CIMdata, Inc., joins Design News CAD Editor Beth Stackpole in this radio program to explore the new face of integrated CAD and CAE, how companies are benefitting from this tighter partnership between platforms, and how integrating CAE earlier in the development cycle pays off in optimized product designs.
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
7 
