Devoted to the development of new radiation detector and systems technology, RMD Instruments LLC announces that it has been awarded two SMT VISION Awards in the categories of Inspection Equipment and Test for its innovative LeadTracer-RoHS XRF system. The crystal glass award will be presented to Jacob H. Paster, Vice President, during a Monday, February 19, 2007 ceremony that will take place at the Wilshire Grand Hotel in Los Angeles before the start of APEX.

The LeadTracer-RoHS XRF system is a major innovation and advancement of the XRF analysis technology. Under the development direction of Sia Afshari and Samir Farah, the LeadTracer-RoHS is the only XRF system that is designed specifically for the electronics industry to provide fast, accurate, and portable screening capability to meet RoHS directives.

This XRF system's unique approach to analyze the entire body of the components rather than performing just a surface analysis, in a short period of time, speeds up the RoHS screening requirements and improves the overall throughput of the QC process

LeadTracer-RoHS' ability to analyze the entire energy spectrum eliminates the possibility of false-negative indications in components that otherwise would have found their way into the manufacturing process. The use of non-compatible components such as those containing lead in a lead-free process will result in contamination of the solder pot, which is costly and environmentally undesirable. Elimination of non-compatible components from the process saves time, money, and leads to improvement of the line output. Additionally, the consistent flow of parts will reduce the maintenance and repair of the machinery used in electronics assembly.
 
RoHS directives restricting the use of certain substances in electronics have created numerous challenges in both the screening and implementation process. LeadTracer-RoHS' innovative approach with enhanced detection capabilities provides the screening tool that the industry needs to meet the numerous RoHS directive challenges.

The ease of use of the LeadTracer-RoHS XRF system is based on its ergonomic design, and features such as laser-guided sample indicator, bar-code reader, spectrum display, BlueTooth connectivity, heads-up display, and patented applied for adjustable apertures provide the most user-friendly platform for implementation of the screening process.

Now in its 15th year, the SMT VISION Awards program is an annual celebration of product excellence in electronics surface mount assembly. Premier products based on the finest examples of creative advancement in technology in 22 key areas are chosen by a distinguished panel of industry experts.

About RMD Instruments LLC

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, LLC, 44 Hunt Dr. Watertown, MA.