Sep 03, 2009 
The paper, titled “Understanding XRF Technology and Clarification of its application for Counterfeit component awareness and the RoHS directive,” provides an overview of XRF technology as it is applied to electronic components, the effectiveness and limitations of XRF methods as a screening, and the contributing factors in obtaining accurate measurements.
Both XRF screening and laboratory results have come under scrutiny lately in several papers. Interpretation of RoHS directives as it applies to calculation of prohibited elemental concentration, the nature of electronic components such as size and heterogeneity, lack of representative calibration standards for complex matrix formations, and unfamiliarity with analytical techniques all have contributed to perplexity in the screening process.
Counterfeit or sub-standard components are a major issue facing the electronic industry. Counterfeit suppliers are getting more sophisticated and are employing techniques such as laser etching in production of these components which makes them virtually undetectable from the real parts. A new feature is our LTRSync+ software which takes advantage of the LeadTracer’s superior K-Shell X-rays allows the user to identify parts that might be “sub-standard or counterfeit”.
Steve Glass is RoHS/WEEE Business Development Manager of RMD Instruments, Watertown, MA. Steve has been active in various SMTA chapters throughout the world. He has a business administration degree and has been associated in the electronics industry since 1984.
About RMD Instruments Corp.
RMD has been a designer and manufacturer of XRF and other scientific technologies since 1974. In addition to the electronics industry, RMD produces instrumentation for the medical and applied sciences industries. For more information, contact: Steve Glass, Business Development Manager, RoHS.WEEE Division, RMD Instruments, Corp., 44 Hunt St., Watertown, MA.
