|
|
| Evaluation of strength test results & cost factors |
 |
 |
 |
| AC Adapter for mobile phone that usesxxSN100C |
lizuka-City, according to the Land Development Policy, has
been transformed from a coal mining town into "The City of Information Industry".
Totally funded by Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. Kyushu Mitsumi Co., Ltd. was established
in lizuka-City in 1969. The company manufactures coils, switches, power
supplies and other customized products. However, it is the leader in the production
of mobile phone adapters and power supplies for mobile electronic equipment,
with a share of about 60%-70% of the Japanese domestic market.
The company considered going lead-free in the beginning of 1999. Reliability
tests and cost comparisons of all kinds of lead-free solder had been conducted
continuously for a period of 1 year. Finally, the use of lead-free solder commenced
in July 2000, and the Department of Power Supplies Equipment began the actual
use of "SN100C" in October the same year. "In every kind of tensile
strength test, SN100C's performance was at least equal to that of tin-lead
solder. It is less costly when compared to the tin-silver-copper
alloy, its wettability has improved and also dross generation is small. These
are the reasons for choosing SN100C.", explained by a person responsible for the MPS project
"Our power supplies printed circuit boards are all single-sided, therefore there
is no need to worry about fillet lifting. And because we are using wave soldering,
SN100C is just the right alloy. Furthermore, as SN100C is a patented product,
we feel at ease in using it", added the Mitsumi spokesman.
The company is gradually shifting its production overseas, with the power supplies
equipment shifting to China (Tianjin Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. and Zhuhai Mitsumi
Electric Co., Ltd.) and the Philippines. Of the 14 soldering machines in Tianjin
Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. 11 are lead-free and all use SN100C. With plans
to move forward with the phasing in of lead-free, including in their international
operations, the vice-counselor of the project made the following request, "We hope soldering materials
manufacturer will put more effort in dealing internationally." |
Interviewed by The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. |
|
|
![[CASE2] KYUSHU MITSUMI CO., LTD.](images/voice02_title.gif){kind=small}
