[sdiy] solderless electronics?

[Brock Russell]

Hi Barry:

Most of the trade mags have been covering this so checking their sites for
info is a good start. SMT has had a few issues devoted to this
subject over the past couple of years and run regular columns. Go to
http://smt.pennnet.com/Search/index.cfm?Section=Archives and do a
search of "lead free"and you will find a few hundred articles of relevant info.
Kester has a concise summary of where the industry is heading on their
site http://www.kester.com/leadfree_update.htm.

How will this affect us? There are workable lead free alternatives now so the
switch from a manufacturing perspective should be relatively painless.
There are lots of related issues though, such as reliability, rework and
refurbished equipment sales.
There is no push to go completely lead free in North America at this time
so DIYers here don't have to think about this for a while.

Brock

>Hi all,
>I'm hearing that there is a European initiative to eliminate lead from
>electronics altogether.  My company is evaluating leadfree solder processes
>etc. and it really looks like this is going to happen.  Anyone have more
>info on this and how it will affect us?
>
>
>
>Barry