ELFNET – a new era in European lead-free soldering technology
ELFNET – a new era in European lead-free soldering technology
Keywords: Soldering, Europe
Years of fragmentation and lack of coordination in the European lead-free soldering research community are brought to an end as a major new initiative is launched to tackle a key objective in creating an environmental friendly electronics industry. Partially funded by the European Commission, European Lead-Free Soldering Network (ELFNET) will enable electronic industry producers in the EU to engage with the research community, optimise solutions and meet the EU deadline of introducing lead-free soldering in consumer products by July 2006.
ELFNET is a network of national research organisations, technical experts and industry bodies, first brought together more than 4 years ago. The group gathered in response to alarm in the research community at the lack of funding and poor coordination in European research in the face of the challenge from the EU RoHS Directive, banning the use of leaded solder in many electronics products.
The 3-year project has EU funding of 2.3 million euros as a Coordination Action under the Sixth Framework Programme and commits the energy and resources of a core membership of 35 Founder Members.
ELFNET now invites all European researchers with experience in lead-free soldering technology to sign up via the project web site, free of charge, to become affiliate members. This will give access to the work of the project and a unique opportunity to coordinate with peers across Europe. Others are welcome to join as subscribers.
“This is a new, exciting opportunity for researchers from all over Europe to begin to work together”, comments Dr Jeremy Pearce, ELFNET Coordinator at Soldertec Global in the UK. “The expertise is there, the challenge is there – now we can finally make it happen.”
ELFNET has assembled the coordinators of all major lead-free research projects, research representatives in 19 countries and leading industry players in major electronic sectors to form a platform to coordinate, integrate and optimise Europe's research effort. It will use advanced communication tools alongside traditional meetings and reports to find and collate existing projects, identify and prioritise key technical and business issues in lead-free soldering technology, and seek solutions towards a common goal. At the same time the network will provide the electronics industry with connections to people and resources for lead-free solutions, enabling them to face a lead-free future beyond 2006.
As well as 19 National Networks, ELFNET will operate five Technical Expert Groups in solders, components, assembly, reliability and recycling and four industry networks in consumer, automotive/industrial, IT/telecoms and aerospace/defence.
The infrastructure will also be used to carry out status research, measuring implementation of lead-free soldering technology across Europe.
In an ambitious move, the network has launched a new type of web site,specifically designed for online networking. News, events, research projects,documents and links can all be uploaded from member's desktops to be shared with the growing virtual community.
For further information visit our web site: www.europeanleadfree.net
ELFNET is a European network of national research organisations, technical experts and industry bodies enabling lead-free solutions in microelectronics.
It provides a platform to coordinate, integrate and optimise research,enabling electronic producers in the EU to optimise solutions and meet the EU deadline of introducing lead-free soldering in consumer products by July 2006.
ELFNET is supported by the European Commission and operates in 19 European countries. By facilitating “best practice”, ELFNET will continue to contribute to Europe's competitiveness in electronics manufacturing beyond 2006.
For more information, contact: Dr Jeremy Pearce, ELFNET Coordinator,Soldertec Global. Tel: þ44 (0)1727 871311; E-mail: info@europeanleadfree.net; web site: www.europeanleadfree.net
