Responding to the needs of the electronic industry, Thermo Niton has released new software with additional features and benefits that will assist in dealing with the pending RoHS compliance deadline
As most in the industry are aware, beginning in July 2006, EU Directive 2002/95/EC, 'Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)', prohibited importation into the European Union of any new electrical and/or electronic equipment put on market after 1 July 2006, made of materials containing more than 100 parts per million (ppm) of cadmium (Cd), or more than 1000 parts per million (ppm) each of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
Thermo Electron's Niton analysers are portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments for on-site, nondestructive RoHS screening.
These analysers are used for testing of polymers, solders and electronic components for RoHS, ELV, and WEEE compliance verification screening.
Since 2001, Niton analysers have been supplying the top consumer product manufacturers with easy-to-use and reliable on-site screening and material analysis.
RoHS compliance screening has allowed the industry to bring the 'laboratory' to the object to be analysed, resulting in more extensive testing being performed and testing of many objects that otherwise might not receive any verification testing.
This increased level of testing has in turn translated into greater levels of compliance.
In May 2006, Thermo Electron released its new version 5.1 analyser software offering several new features and performance improvements, including an advanced thickness correction for improved direct analysis of polymer materials.
For several years, Thermo's portable RoHS analyzers have been used to quantify restricted elements in plastic matrices down to 5mm thickness.
However, though semi-quantitative testing was done directly, very thin samples typically required folding or layering in order to provide the best analytical results possible.
The new Thickness Correction algorithm available in version 5.1, provides the ability to compensate test results for even ultra-thin plastic materials.
Keeping with the core characteristics of these portable analysers, the Thickness Correction is straightforward and easy-to-use.
It can be used by anyone, anywhere testing is required.
In addition to the Thickness Correction feature for direct plastics measurements, version 5.1 analyser software features six language options, improved analytical accuracy and element additions to already extensive calibration matrices.
As always, says Thermo, the objective is to help our customers accelerate and increase the efficiency of their RoHS compliance testing programmes.
The result is the most powerful and versatile line of portable XRF instrumentation ever designed for RoHS compliance testing.
Version 5.1 software is currently shipping on all new Niton RoHS instruments, and is a free upgrade to customers with existing compatible analysers.
