IPC Training at S2S Electronics Ltd

In December 2007 S2S Electronics, a first class subcontract electronic manufacturer, took full advantage of Electronics Yorkshire’s mobile training unit by having a number of staff carry out IPC training on-site at its premises in Huddersfield.

By enabling members of our team to become IPC Certified, we have continued to demonstrate our commitment to our continuous improvement philosophy and exceeding customer expectations. As IPC-A-610 certification is recognised and valued throughout the electronics industry, and is to some clients a pre-requisite requirement, S2S had already invested in the training of our Technical Manager to become a CIT (Certified IPC Trainer.)

We expect our production processes which already conform to ISO9001:2001 and ISO14001:2004 to be even more efficient than ever due to further simplification of our processes and improved technical self-sufficiency amongst our operators. Our CIS (Certified IPC Specialist) operators now have more confidence in their own individual skills and their abilities to provide solutions to production issues.

As more and more challenging technologies appear within the industry, understanding clearly what constitutes a defect across a variety of electronic assemblies is imperative. Due to the uniformity of the training, our employees were able to learn about these evolving technologies, realize the problems of tomorrow and understand how to achieve acceptable workmanship.

S2S recognise the importance of education and training and see them as significant elements in the success of our organisation particularly in the areas that affect our quality. The IPC-A-610 standard is already proving to be a major selling point with our new customers as they have confidence in our proven ability to provide quality products to one of the industry’s highest standards. The legitimacy, reliability and accuracy of the assessment process confirms the knowledge and expertise of our operators.

‘We regard training of our staff to IPC-A-610 to be a central element in our ongoing training program. The IPC course has helped to raise quality awareness throughout the manufacturing process and provide a sound basis for further specialist training.’ (Technical Manager (also a CIT (Certified IPC Trainer), Geoffrey Oughtibridge).

Following the ease and success of the IPC training, S2S are considering looking at putting more employees through training courses with Electronics Yorkshire in the future.
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Increased Flexibility Offered By Second Assembly Line With Lead Free Dedicated Processes

S2S Electronics Limited have increased the flexibility within its surface mount process by adding a second Contax Pick and Place machine, this enables S2S to react to customer's urgent demands on both production and proto type batches. Although S2S still have many conventional assembly projects design support in redesign to SMT is offered by our in-house design team, which will identify any cost savings in both materials and improved build methods giving the customer a commercial advantage.

If you require any support in conversions to SMT please contact us for further details.

The majority of parts lists have now been converted to lead free for assembly. Advice has also been given to our customers who are not currently within the Lead Free/RoHS directives these products will be manufactured within a dedicated production process.

If you require any support in Lead Free-RoHS please enquire for further details.

To Support new business S2S are offering free Solder Screen and SMT set up costs on enquires received from our WEB site please quote S2SWB-12 with your enquiry.

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New AOI Machine at S2S Electronics

Automation is proving to be a key factor in all areas of the electronics industry, due to the ever-increasing demand for providing competitive prices whilst still maintaining quality; and inspection is no exception.

S2S Electronics has recently installed a new efficient AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) machine that inspects the accuracy of the placement of SMT and conventional components, and the effectiveness of the individual solder joints utilising scanner technology. As S2S always carry out 100% inspection, lead times have been lowered substantially.

Continued investment in the business means S2S is competitive in providing a flexible solution to a very high standard.

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S2S Electronics and the RoHS Directive

Exemptions from the RoHS Directive have undoubtedly been at the forefront of debated issues surrounding the Directive. Companies within EU member states have been faced with a daunting decision making process. Understandably it is unfeasible to list every possible product that must comply; therefore the guidance is currently very generic and often even ambiguous. Exemptions are generally approved by the European Commission where science cannot yet offer alternative solutions. Categories 8 and 9 products (medical devices and monitoring and control instruments) are currently exempt. However, companies do need to be wary of their competitors who may bring out RoHS compliant designs even if the product is currently outside of scope. Adding to further confusion for companies, EU member states interpret the Directive in different ways due to disagreeing on the meaning of problematical wording such as what exactly is a ‘finished product’. In response to such problems the European Commission is reviewing the RoHS Directive in a bid to make it simpler and clearer to understand and at the same time review current exemptions and look at adding further restricted substances.

At present, S2S have found that many clients consider themselves outside the scope of the directive. As a result S2S have decided to offer both leaded and unleaded solutions to clients. This has meant running two separate production lines which also ensures no risk of solder pot contamination.

Like for most CEM manufacturers, the sourcing of components proved the most difficult issue in achieving compliance for clients and S2S still continue to address this with their component supplier partners to ensure RoHS compliance even after 1 st July 2006. Nevertheless, where fully compliant Bills of Material are already available, S2S have provided RoHS compliant circuit boards and this is supported by a conformance certificate that can be used for reference during disassembly, and a ‘compliance file’ containing all component certificates. However, ironically companies that have found themselves outside the scope of the Directive are now finding sourcing leaded components a challenging process as the supply chain moves more and more towards lead-free components. In the event that a particular component within the UK cannot be sourced, S2S are then able to resort to using the grey market by consulting their list of reputable agents throughout the world.

S2S also made a decision to further support their QA system, which in effect supports their clients, to randomly test components for RoHS compliance, and test results are also kept in the compliance file to help clients with their own ‘due diligence’ responsibilities.

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WEEE Electronics Recyclers Join Forces

Bruce Electronics Recycling based in Sheffield , and RID (UK ) Ltd of Huddersfield have merged into a new company, which is now known as

‘ Bruce R.I.D. Recycling Limited.’

Bruce Electronics and RID have been working together for a number of years, recycling equipment from end users, retailers, institutions, maintenance companies and electronics manufacturers.

The merger strengthens the new company’s position as one of the UK ’s most experienced electronics processing and recycling facilities, with the capacity to handle large volumes of WEEE material.

The company is based at March Street Sheffield where processing equipment can handle shredding, dis-assembly, and CRT disposal, recovering cable, all metals. plastics and glass which are recycled.

A ‘state of the art CRT plant’ is able to split TV/monitor tubes and recover both the lead and barium glass fractions separately, allowing them to be sent for reuse after cleaning and shredding.

CRT process plant can handle over 100 units per hour.

WEEE Legislation

With the implementation of the WEEE Directive coming into force on July the 1 st 2007 , the company will achieve AATF status, allowing it to report recycling recovery rates to compliance schemes on behalf of its many customers.

The site holds a full waste management license, allowing it to handle all categories of WEEE, has ICER accreditation and is both ISO 9001/14001 registered.

With more and more companies accepting and improving their environmental responsibilities, the management team at Bruce R.I.D. are confident that the ‘one stop shop’ service they offer, will ensure continued growth in the company for the foreseeable future.

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New Reflow Oven

S2S have also recently invested in another new hot air full convection reflow oven, which provides even temperature distribution.

Again this oven supports standard leaded and lead free solders with a precise chain conveyor that transports single and double sided panels up to 400mm in width.

The vertical laminar flow ensures efficient heat transfer and the closed loop conveyor drive system enables a controlled speed that ensures less stress on components.