Hi, Indrek: > > I enjoy nature and green spaces as much as anyone, but some of the > > greenies' ideas of conservation are scientifically unsound. This > > lead-free solder is one of them. > > And your reasoning is? Assume that CRT's and Pb-batteries are properly > recycled.
My reasoning is that lead-free solder joints are not as reliable over the long term as lead-full solder joints. We won't know the real facts on this until lead-free has been in actual field use for several more years. Early indications do not look favorable, from what I have seen and read. What good are lead-free products if you have to produce 3 of them to get the same operational lifetime as 1 lead-full product? Then there are the costs of service calls, etc. Yes, my CRT's and batteries are recycled, their cost-benefit ratio for recycling is good since they contain large amounts of lead. On a personal level, I recycle cans, bottles, and paper. Tallahassee has a good recycling program, and I participate in it. I try to select appliances and computers that are energy efficient. I use fluorescent lighting in some of my fixtures, to save energy. I don't drive an SUV. I do indulge myself an occasional drive in my huge gas guzzler 1975 Cadillac, but most of the time it's in storage. So, I think I'm doing as good or better than most greenies when it comes to environmental concerns. Am I convinced global warming is caused by human activity - no. Do I try to be a good steward of the Earth - yes. So, if you think I am just another care-free environment-destroying capitalist pig, think again. > One of the long term benefits of Pb-free movement that I see, would > eventually be higher reliability of products. Less solder bridging and > stronger solder joints anyone? How do we magically get to those long term benefits? If the metallurgy doesn't work that way, we can't! Why do you think the EU directive exempts automotive, medical, aerospace, and military devices? Are those less worthy of being environmentally friendly? Could it be that failure is not an option for those categories? Could it be that it is expected that your crappy video game or cellphone will fail just after warranty? After all, that's what drives the consumption machine. And you will feel good about buying it's replacement, because it has a pretty green label that reads "lead-free". > Would average Chinese assembly house start using Pb-free solders if they > are not mandatory? I doubt. What's wrong with that? It's economics at work. Sometimes there are good reasons to override economic concerns. Lead-free solder isn't one of them. > > Let's fill up the landfill with failed lead-free devices, that's > > environmentally responsible...NOT! > > That's the whole concept of recycling -- used devices should not go to > landfills. Wait, I'm confused, are we talking about recycling PCB assemblies, or making them environmentally benign so we can bury them in the ground? Pick one or the other! If we are going to recycle PCBs, we can use lead-full solder, and there is no need whatsoever for lead-free solder. If we are going to discard PCBs, the argument for lead-free has at least some worthiness for debate. Why should I avoid putting lead into a device that will be recycled anyway? Best regards, Ivan Baggett Bagotronix Inc. website: www.bagotronix.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Indrek Rebane" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Bagotronix Tech Support" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Protel EDA Discussion List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2004 2:08 PM Subject: Re: [PEDA] Lead free re design > Hi Ivan, > > Bagotronix Tech Support wrote: > > I enjoy nature and green spaces as much as anyone, but some of the > > greenies' ideas of conservation are scientifically unsound. This > > lead-free solder is one of them. > > And your reasoning is? Assume that CRT's and Pb-batteries are properly > recycled. > > > IMO, the worst thing the electronics industry can do to the > > environment is to manufacture devices whose lead-free solder joints > > fail quickly. > > One of the long term benefits of Pb-free movement that I see, would > eventually be higher reliability of products. Less solder bridging and > stronger solder joints anyone? > > Would average Chinese assembly house start using Pb-free solders if they > are not mandatory? I doubt. > > > Let's fill up the landfill with failed lead-free devices, that's > > environmentally responsible...NOT! > > That's the whole concept of recycling -- used devices should not go to > landfills. > > > What's my solution to pollution? Make stuff that lasts and can be > > upgraded by firmware, as much as is practical. If that stuff > > contains harmful substances, make it even more reliable so it won't > > have to be thrown away in large quantities. > > Will we see DfR soon? (Design for Recycling). I recommend you to read > EFSOT report on effects of Pb-free solder on environment: > http://www.europeanleadfree.net/POOLED/DOCUMENTS/a110210/EFSOT_June_2004.pdf > > You can get quite a lot of info from ELFNET and EFSOT, > http://www.europeanleadfree.net/ > http://www.efsot-europe.info/ > > They also have loads of information on tin whisker formation, surface > finishes and wetting abilities. > > > Why will my solution not be adopted by most of the industry? Because > > it disrupts the business models of planned obsolesence, planned > > replacement, and forced consumption. > > Does average teenager need a new and cooler mobile phone? No. Does she > or he want it? Yes. That's where I see the problem. Addiction. > > Only Pb-free problem I see Protel has is related to Nanoboard. Packaging > waste in relation to recycling is other problem, including totally > useless manuals I have never read. Why should I read book if I have PDF > which is easier to read? Thou one could say that ever increasing system > requirements of DXP platform are environmentally inconsiderate. > > Indrek > > -- > Indrek Rebane | Borthwick-Pignon > Electronics Engineer | Tartu Science Park > Phone: (+372) 7 302 641 | Riia 185, 51014 Tartu > Fax: (+372) 7 383 041 | Estonia > [EMAIL PROTECTED] | www.bps.co.ee > ____________________________________________________________ You are subscribed to the OT discussion forum To Post messages: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe and Other Options: http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/ot_techservinc.com Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
