23 September 2020
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
By Dr Nick Dajda, product manager Nordson Electronics Solutions, DAGE Products.
Lead is a unique material and is used in a wide range of applications. It has a high density making it ideal for ballast, is relatively ductile and easy to shape and has a low melting point which reduces casting costs. It also has chemical properties which make it useful for alloying and for use in batteries and superconductors.
Lead is also well known in the X-ray industry as it is one of the most popular shielding materials employed for containing X-rays within the equipment. Its low cost and high attenuation capability make it ideal for this application.
Unfortunately, lead is particularly toxic and its use in paints, fuels and electronics has now been restricted to all but a few niche applications where no viable alternatives currently exist. In 2018, lead was added to the European Union list of substances of very high concern.
Lead-free alternatives for X-ray shielding have been available for some time, but have not seen widespread use other than for protective clothing. During the development of Explorer one, the latest addition to our X-ray inspection line-up, we saw an opportunity to change our approach to shielding for the better − we developed EnviroShieldTM. This is a new, proprietary (patent pending) lead-free X-ray shielding technology which uses a commonly available mineral which absorbs X-rays using exactly the same physical mechanisms as lead does. Most importantly, it is non-toxic and easy to dispose of at end of life, unlike lead.
We manufacture EnviroShield as a moulded composite which, as well as having very strong shielding properties, is also particularly rigid and strong. EnviroShield has been rolled out on our Explorer one X-ray inspection system, so employees and suppliers involved in the manufacture of Explorer one no longer need to work with lead.
We are very excited about the potential of our new lead-free shielding technology. The use of lead is very restricted today, with only a small number of applications allowed and further global restrictions likely on the way in the future. For the first time our customers have an alternative to choosing a lead-based system, helping us to divert hundreds of tons of toxic lead from being used in the future.
20 years of precision, progress and purpose – the Jemstech journey Jemstech
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Twenty years ago, Jemstech began as a small, determined venture built on technical excellence and trust. Today, it stands among South Africa’s leading electronic manufacturing service providers.
Read more...An argument to redefine IPC class definitions for class 1, 2, & 3 electronics MyKay Tronics
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
One of the most critical aspects of electronic assembly reliability is cleanliness. Contaminants left on a circuit board after the reflow process can lead to failures through mechanisms such as electrochemical migration or corrosion.
Read more...Large platform stencil printer Techmet
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
GKG’s large platform stencil printer, the P-Primo, is designed to meet customer’s ultra-large printing requirements by supporting board dimensions up to 850 x 610 mm.
Read more...Press-fit component inspection MyKay Tronics
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
In electronics manufacturing, optical inspection of press-fit components is crucial to ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of the final assembled product.
Read more...A new era in wire bond inspection Techmet
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Viscom is developing a 3D wire bond inspection system that incorporates substantially improved sensors, a high image resolution, and fast image data processing.
Read more...Mycronic’s MYPro A40 pick-and-place solution MyKay Tronics
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Mycronic’s MYPro A40 pick-and-place solution, equipped with an MX7 high-speed mounthead technology, increases top placement speeds by 48% over the previous generation.
Read more...Why ergonomics matters in digital microscopy TANDM
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
While magnification technology has kept pace with demand, the wellbeing of the people behind the microscopes has often been overlooked with technicians spending long hours in intense focus, leading to chronic strain, fatigue, and costly mistakes.
Read more...From ER to effortless: The 15-year journey of Seven Labs Technology Seven Labs Technology
Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
What started as a business likened to an ‘ER’ for electronic components has today grown into a trusted partner delivering kitting services and full turnkey solutions – taking the effort out of electronics and helping customers truly ‘Move to Effortless.’
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version