 Reliability Integration for the Organization
RoHS Reliability Transition Program
 NEW! Download: Ops A La Carte Restriction of Hazardous Substances (pdf)
DEFINITION
A tailored program to guide an organization successfully through the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) transition while minimizing the reliability and business risks.
SITUATION
Like the rest of the electronics industry, your products will transition to Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance prior to the deadlines in 2006. This includes the transition to Lead-Free Solder, and at this time, there are significant reliability uncertainties around Lead-Free Solder. Even if your product does not need to be compliant, the materials and processes that make up your product are changing. As one major consumer product team concluded, doing nothing would double the field failure rate of the electronics. Given limited resources, you and your team may not have the time or expertise to determine the areas of greatest risk and how best to manage the transition.
OBJECTIVES
To assess a company's products and determine areas of significant reliability risk due to the industry component and manufacturing changes due to the European legislation and to guide a company through the transition while minimizing overall product reliability risks.
VALUE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION
Experience the overall lowest impact to product reliability while maintaining compliance with the new legislation.
RELIABILITY INTEGRATION
An example of Reliability Integration during the RoHS Transition is as follows:
The RoHS Transition Pulls in All of the Pieces of the Reliability Program
Nearly every facet of product generation comes into play during the RoHS transition, plus a few unique items. Starting with reliability requirements and risk identification to retirement of components and products, the transition requires careful management in addition to traditional program management.
METHODOLOGY
Review current products with design teams and determine areas of risk given the RoHS driven changes in the industry and manufacturing processes. Then, prioritize and develop recommendations to mitigate or avoid significant issues. Work with product teams to systematically address each reliability issue and manage elements of the transition that pose significant risk to compliance and product performance. Provide awareness and specific technical training, as needed. Establish and assist in monitoring critical transition goals and metrics. Provide information updates on developments of the RoHS legislation and the impact on your products.
CASE STUDIES/OPTIONS
The following case studies and options provide example approaches. We shall tailor our approach to meet your specific situation.
1) RoHS Awareness Training and Implementation Support
A high volume Office Communications Equipment manufacturer identified the RoHS transition as a potential risk to their product reliability. We provided awareness training sessions for design and procurement teams followed by quick assessments of product risks and the development of mitigation activities. As products became compliant, we helped them carefully manage component matching with manufacturing processes to minimize the mixed metal systems (significant risk of poor/brittle solder joints). We also helped them manage the proper labeling of products, permitting a smooth plan of record with high confidence in successful compliance with minimum risk to product reliability. top of page | 
Many New Reliability Services & Reliability Seminars added! 