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RoHS Compatible Design
As early as in September 2005, we designed and launched our first RoHS compatible notebook PC. Since then, we have been designing and launching RoHS compatible PCs.

<RoHS Directive>
The Directive restricts use of six hazardous substances in electrical and electric devices in the EU from July 1, 2006 ;lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls(PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDE).

 
mission
Early Realization of RoHS Compatible Design
We restrict use of hazardous substances by developing alternative parts and components, and by introducing new technologies.We are delivering products that help customers to feel secure and comfortable.
commitment
Commitments for Toshiba PC

commitment 1
Establish a technical base compatible with RoHS
We have been developing environmentally conscious notebook PCs for a long time. In 1998, we realized halogen- and antimony- free printed wire boards that do not generate dioxin even if burned. We adopted lead-free soldering in 2001. Since the temperature of lead-free soldering rises to around 250 degrees centigrade, every part has to resist that temperature. In cooperation with parts suppliers, we realized lead-free soldering for all printed circuit boards made in our factory in 2003. Then we replaced the parts with RoHS compatible ones part-by-part and launched our first PC with a RoHS-compatible printed circuit board and case in January, 2005. Our last issue was to replace unit devices, such as DVD drives, with RoHS compatible alternatives. We realized that and launched our first PC with all of the parts and components that are compatible with RoHS.


Interview about our high technological achievements with our engineer. (March, 2006)
Summarized by Toshiba Corp. Personal Computer Network Company.
RoHS compatible notebook PC developed by eco-design team.
Mr Yamaoka
Yoji Yamaoka
Packaging Technology Development Center
PC & Network Company
Toshiba Corporation
 Our team had been working on the issues of a "whisker" in designing RoHS compatible PCs. If we remove the lead in the tin-plated contact terminal between the flat cable connected to the printed circuit board and the connector, we observe a 10 to 100 micro-meter metallic extrusion in the shape of a whisker. This may cause short circuiting. To the best of my knowledge, the root cause has not been discovered. We repeated experiments and succeeded in removing lead from this area without generation of the whisker. I believe that the Toshiba No.1 spirit we share with each other contributed to the realization of a "Green PC".
The flat cable and the terminal area of the printed circuit board where a "whisker" tends to be produced. Toshiba succeeded in preventing whisker generation at this contact point. whisker 1
A magnified photograph of the whisker. which may cause short circuit if generated. whisker 2


commitment 2
Work RoHS compatibility into the development processes
We built a system that enabled us to integrate RoHS compatibility into all processes, from parts selection to manufacturing and shipment. We promoted RoHS compatibility by incorporating RoHS management in the PC development infrastructure.


The flow path of product development and RoHS compatibility
Parts level
 Parts selection
 Analysis & measurement
  • Acquire "Declaration Sheets" from the parts suppliers

    • Acquire the Declaration
  • Input environment information into the parts database
  • Save "Declaration Sheets" in the document database
  • Conduct sampling inspection of concentration of substances
  • Feedback the inspection results to suppliers
 
Unit level
 Logic design
 Mechanical design
  • Check RoHS compatibility of parts used against the parts database
  • Check the "Green ratio"(#) of units (printed circuit board, case, etc.)
    (#)Green ratio: value of number of RoHS compatible parts divided by that of all parts
    The value must be 100%.
  • CAD alerts when using non-compatible parts
    • CAD alerts
  • Check non-compatible parts list if necessary
 
Product level
 Create a bill of materials
 Fixed manufacturing conditions
  • Check the green ratio of the entire product
    This includes checking solder, etc. used on the production line.
  • Check non-compatible parts list if necessary
  • Check the green ratio to make sure the product is approved


Interview about our technological achievements with our engineer. (January, 2006)
Summarized by Toshiba Corp. PC & Network Company.
Mr. Inomata
Tadaaki Inomata
PC Development Center
PC & Network Company
Toshiba Corporation
As of April 2006, Toshiba notebook PC's lineup will become RoHS compatible.
Interviewer: This is because the information infrastructure supports green design, isn't it.
"What is important is that we added a column providing RoHS information to the database we had been using in our routine work. First of all, we established a base for the information infrastructure so that we could use it as is without creating a completely new system. When a new product is designed, we can immediately see the environment information of the parts used in the product. If non-conforming parts are going to be chosen for the design, the system prevents the design process from going on to the next design phase.
Because the system screens out non-conforming parts at the parts adoption stage, we can avoid the situation that we find inconformity at a later stage of designing.
Completion of this infrastructure not only means that certain models of our PCs are designed to be compatible with RoHS but it also means the creation of an environment that enables us to design all of our PCs RoHS compatible from now on. We will increase the production of RoHS compatible PCs, and in April, 2006 and after, our PC line-up will become RoHS compatible. "(Comments by Mr. Inomata) to design all of our PCs RoHS compatible from now on.

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