For those who want a visual reference to help keep track of RoHS changes, two companies have developed free tools — a calendar to track steps in RoHS legislation, and a wall poster that provides advice on lead-free PCB soldering techniques.
Phoenix Contact (phoenixcontact.com) is giving away an A2-size solder poster that offers advice on soldering techniques to the IPC-A-610C standard for printed circuit board processes. The poster is designed to help in the realization of new soldering processes, including reflow techniques to meet RoHS standards. The IPC standard assumes different requirements made on the reliability of assemblies. The poster provides diagrams and definitions to guide users through lead-free soldering techniques.
GSPK Electronics (gspkelectronics.ltd.uk) is giving away a month-to-month calendar that offers steps and advice for customers and suppliers making their way through the transition to RoHS compliance. Dave Watson, GSPK's head of engineering, notes the company has made its way through the compliance process and transferred its knowledge into the calendar.
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.
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