Today, we delve into an increasingly critical aspect of technology and electronics manufacturing - the pursuit of environmentally responsible electronics manufacturing. Our industry has witnessed many environmental revolutions.
The elimination of popular cleaning solvents brought on by the Montreal Protocol in 1989, soon followed by strict VOC regulations pertaining to cleaning chemicals.
The switch from lead-based solders to lead-free alloys, led by the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, known as RoHS, implemented within the EU in 2003 and adopted nearly worldwide, regulations regarding the disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) resulting in many countries mandating regulations and programs for the safe recycling and disposal of electronic products, and more.
These regulations and others have inspired some companies to seek eco-friendly alternatives to traditional printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication.
The combination of numerous environmental regulations has resulted in many companies’ implementation of sustainability programs.
As our world becomes more connected, the demand for electronic devices continues to rise, and with it, the importance of mitigating the environmental impact of their production.
On this episode of The Reliability Matters Podcast, Mike Konrad speaks with Mark S. Edwards. Mark wrote an article entitled “Environmentally Responsible Alternatives to Traditional PCB Fabrication.”
He works as a strategic account manager within MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, on the global Business Development team for Circuitry Solutions. Mark has been involved in electronics manufacturing since the late 1980s and brings a passion for process automation, circuit assembly, solders/fluxes, adhesives, coatings and PCB fabrication – all with a focus on repeatability and reliability.
Edwards holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering technology from Oklahoma State University and began his career at a defense electronics company in Dallas, Texas, that was later acquired by Raytheon.
He has uncovered trends and synthesized customer needs for electronic hardware in the telecommunications, defense, automotive, industrial controls segments in the Americas, and now globally, in his newest role.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - The Pursuit of Environmentally Responsible Electronics Manufacturing
00:02:23 - Uncovering Trends in Electronic Hardware
00:04:56 - Circuit Board Fabrication and Environmental Responsibility
00:07:25 - The Changing Priorities of the Manufacturing Industry
00:09:40 - Green Alternatives to Traditional Circuit Boards
00:11:59 - Sustainable Alternatives to PCB Fabrication
00:14:21 - Fabrication Performance and Reliability
00:16:43 - Green PCB Fabrication Challenges and Obstacles
00:18:58 - The Challenges of Adopting Greener Solutions
00:21:22 - Environmental Sustainability in the Supply Chain
00:23:43 - Environmental Impact of PCB Fabrication Methods
00:28:20 - The Disappointment of EV 85 Fuel
00:31:07 - The Cost Implication of Going Green
00:33:31 - Recycling and the Circular Economy
00:35:55 - Recycling Circuit Boards and Extracting Precious Metals
00:38:15 - Simplifying the PCB Fabrication Process
00:40:40 - The Importance of Standards and Regulations in the Electronics Industry
00:42:54 - Demand for Environmental Responsibility in PCB Fabrication
00:45:10 - The Importance of Sustainability in the Supply Chain
00:47:20 - The Importance of Sustainability in Circuit Assembly
00:49:49 - Environmental Impact of Board Fabrication
00:52:02 - The Green Movement in Business
PCB Chat 118: Claire Wemp, Ph.D., on Thermal Interface Materials
RM 123: Introduction to Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) with Dr. Christopher Jackson
PCB Chat 117: July 2023 EDA Software Market Update
RM 122: The Integration of AI into Inspection Systems
PCB Chat 116: John Watson on PCB Designer Training
RM 120: Making Reliability Training Entertaining and Effective
RM 119: Quantum Mechanics Explained
PCB Chat 115: Wally Rhines on the Latest ECAD Market Data
PCB Chat 114: Matthias Wagner and Kerry Chayka of Flux
RM 118: Making ’Big Data’ Useful with Intraratio’s Ryan Gamble
RM 117: When Residues Cause Circuit Assemblies to Fail
RM 116: Supply Chain Musings with Mark Godwin of Ventec
PCB Chat 113: David Schild of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America
PCB Chat 112: Vivek Bansal on VVDN’s Vertical Integration Model
PCB Chat 111: Metallic Resources on Reclaiming Electronics Solder
RM 115: Making Sense of ’Big Data’
PCB Chat 110: Steve Robinson of APCT
RM 114: The Remarkable Return of the Post-Reflow Cleaning Process
RM 113: Counterfeit Component Detection with Dr. Eyal Weiss
Business Challenges with STI Electronics’ President David Raby
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