NBI Newsletter 2/2006:

NBI Announces Implementation of Lead-Free Service

NBI has completed preparations and capital equipment acquisitions for lead-free processes. Customers may now receive RoHS compliant product.

Material Handling: All customer-specified RoHS materials are checked at receipt for compliance. Containers with complying materials are specially marked with green identifying labels. Printed circuit boards destined for lead-free processes are clearly and individually identified as lead-free. These practices make lead-free materials easy to distinguish from traditional inventory. Lead-free work orders are accompanied with special travelers printed on green paper to highlight work requiring lead-free processes.

Pick and Place: NBI's pick and place process uses SAC-305 alloy solder paste - the paste recommended by IPC. SAC-305 is 96.5 percent tin (SN), three percent silver (AG), and one-half percent copper (CU). Special heat profiles are used in NBI's ovens for reflowing the paste.

Wave Solder: NBI uses a Technical Devices interchangeable-pot wave-soldering machine. One pot is filled with SAC-305 solder for RoHS compliant wave soldering. The other pot is filled with traditional 63/37 tin-lead solder. Pot changes can be made in as little as two hours. The machine has both top and bottom preheaters.

Finished Goods: NBI has established a separate finished goods area for RoHS compliant product. This enables NBI to segregate product for customers who require both traditional and lead-free product.

Act Now: Send NBI your lead-free bills of material and get your products quoted. Be sure your BOMs call for lead-free part numbers.

NBI is a contract manufacturer and buys to customer specifications. Although NBI cannot convert bills of material, staff members will be happy to share their knowledge of lead-free parts and sources to assist you in your conversion of current products.