CARROLLTON, TX (March 20, 2006) – Responding to the European Union’s RoHS compliance directive, TT electronics OPTEK Technology has developed a comprehensive approach to ensuring that all standard commercial products meet RoHS compliance standards. During the past year, the company has converted or adapted all standard commercial products in its optoelectronic sensor assemblies and components, fiber optic components, visible LED discretes and optoelectronic hybrids to comply with RoHS standards.
According to Steve Coble, engineering manager for OPTEK Technology, OPTEK has been working diligently to monitor and manage each product line to ensure that it complies with the standards set forth by the EU. “For those products with RoHS as a key parameter of the design, OPTEK has taken a proactive approach to ensure RoHS compliancy, ” Coble explained. “We’re committed to not only meeting the RoHS standard, but to going above and beyond to ensure that all of the required products are compliant, including inspecting raw materials, converting solder materials and processes, and testing finished components before shipment to the customer.”
Many of OPTEK’s product lines, including surface mount chip carrier (hybrid) products, optoelectronic components, fiber optic components, visible LED discretes and optoelectronic sensors, are already lead free and RoHS compliant, Coble continued. Custom sensor assemblies are being addressed on a case-by-case basis, and are being converted to lead free processes and RoHS compliant materials as required by that customer.
Most military/aerospace and high-reliability, as well as automotive devices, are currently exempt from RoHS compliance, Coble explained. OPTEK is in the process of changing their internal database system as well as making sure that the necessary RoHS compliant markings are visible on each product. For the most part, OPTEK’s part numbers will not be changed to reflect RoHS compliance; although for certain sensor assemblies with soldered connectors, a “z” suffix will be added to the standard part numbers.
For more information about OPTEK’s products, contact TT electronics’ OPTEK Technology at 1645 Wallace Dr., Carrollton, TX, 75006; call 972-323-2200, e-mail at sensors@OPTEKinc.com or visit OPTEK on the web at http://www.OPTEKinc.com. In Europe, contact JP Delaporte at info@optek-europe.com. In Asia, contact T.H. Swee at thswee@optekasia.com or call +852-9190-4641.