Industry News

Vendor News Roundup-February 2012

by Jenn A. on February 3, 2012

We’d like to take time to acknowledge some of our vendors who have exciting company news.

Channellock made the cover of Vendor Partner Magazine (published by the North America Retail Hardware Association)

O.C. White has been nominated for a 2012 Edison Award for their Green-Lite Magnifiers. What sets them apart from the rest is their energy efficiency along with their high output. These magnifiers are also ESD-Safe.

The Edison Awards are recognized across the country as America’s innovation awards named after Thomas Edison himself. Finalists for the awards will be announced on February 11, 2012 and winners will be announced at the presentation reception and gala on April 26, 2012.

Lista has launched a new corporate website

Lindstrom is featured on the inside of the February/March edition of Beadwork Magazine for their EX pliers.

Congrats and keep up the great work!

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An Introduction to the SEC Conflict Minerals Regulation

by David K. on January 24, 2012

While the environmental impact of producing electronic devices is a growing concern, there are many other problems with our current production methods. It can be hard to figure out the origins of electronic devices and how they are produced. One thing that is certain is that the mining and production of some of the minerals commonly found in electronics are used to fund conflicts in areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Due to this, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is creating regulations that require companies to know and disclose, where their supplies come from so that manufacturers can purchase minerals from mines that do not fund violent conflicts.

The major requirement of the SEC’s conflict mineral regulation is that any companies that make products that contain conflict minerals should have their supply chain audited. This audit should look at the chain of custody of the minerals to certify that they are not being used to fuel armed conflict in the DRC or any of the surrounding areas. Each company that follows these regulations must show that they are doing their due diligence to ensure that the minerals in their products are free of any ties to armed conflict.

Currently the regulations are still taking shape, so the requirements are morphing as various groups try to find the best balance of cost and benefits. In a set of proposed rules from the SEC in December 2010 the minerals to be regulated are cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, gold, wolframite, as well as their derivatives and any other minerals funding conflicts, as determined by the Secretary of State. A notable derivative of cassiterite is tin, so any product that uses tin alloys, plating, or solders would be contained in this regulation.

While this regulation may seem straightforward to some, it would be a very large undertaking. Many companies are not set up to provide this chain of custody, especially larger companies that get their minerals from many different sources. This regulation could also have far reaching implications even outside of the electronics industry, as it covers minerals used in various industries. A wide array of companies will have to look into their supply chain as some of these minerals may be used in food packaging, jewelry, computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, jet engines, and many other products.

Even with the high cost of this regulation, the benefits could be great. Progress has been reported through a letter from the United Nations Security Council, showing that the preliminary regulations that are in place have hurt the financing of armed groups in the DRC area. While this will by no means dismantle these forces or stop conflict, it will certainly help slow their growth and continue to undermine their operations. It will also allow consumers to purchase products knowing that their money is not being used to fund armed groups that commit atrocities against the people in their area.

For more information on this regulation you can go to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website as well as review information gathered by a committee established by the UN to look into conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Read Part 1 on RoHS here.

Read Part 2 on WEEE here.

Read Part 3 on REACH here.

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(Exclusively from Lindstrom!) How To Test Torque Devices With Ease And Precision

by Guest on January 19, 2012

(special thanks to Mike Billings at Lindstrom for guest blogging the content below!)

Most torque testers are expensive and complicated or cheap with limited utility. It doesn’t have to be that way. Lindstrom now offers one that is affordable, accurate and easy to use over a wide range of torque devices and torque settings.

When ALL-SPEC customers hear Lindstrom mentioned, they probably think of our “little yellow cutter” or the pioneering ergonomic design of our RX Series ERGO cutters and pliers. But one of our most popular tool lines is our torque screwdriver range, both micro-adjustable and preset. People love the elegant yet tough tools for their consistently good results.

For years, customers have asked us if we make a tester for use with torque devices, one as good as our screwdrivers. Back then, all we made were hand tools. Now, we make what just may be the best little Digital Torque Tester™ available: DTT-501-EZ.

Like our torque screwdrivers, DTT will be prized for its accuracy and repeatability. They share the same rugged design and tough powdercoat finish and both were created by the Snap-on Industrial Brand engineers who design torque wrenches and professional calibration systems for our company. So, we were able to pack a ton of features into these affordable torque testers. With a range of 20 to 800 inch ounces, the DTT can execute a quick peak-value check on torque devices – wrenches, screwdrivers, T-handles and even electric-drive on low RPM – to verify values – or perform a three-stage calibration sequence that adheres to A.S.M.E. standards. Visual and audio cues show users as torque values change during testing. Test data can be instantly downloaded to any text or spreadsheet program.

As implied in its name, DTT-501-EZ is easy to use. The touch screen has an intuitive design that makes it simple to navigate from opening screen to the type of test desired. Typical torque units (ft.lb., Nm, kgcm, etc.) are supported in both SAE and International Standard. Lindstrom preprogrammed the DTT to automatically step through settings of 20%, 60% and 100% to test adjustable torque devices in conformance with A.S.M.E. B107-28-2005. Calibrations are traceable to N.I.S.T. standards and Lindstrom DTT-501-EZ is accurate to +/- 0.5% within specified range.

The Lindstrom Digital Torque Tester^TM is an affordable and versatile torque testing machine that can be mounted on a wall, bench-top or mobile test cart. All DTT are sold as a complete kit including AC/DC power supply, USB cable, hex adapter, six-cell battery pack and carrying case.

All-Spec Industries is now carrying the Lindstrom DTT-501-EZ!

All-Spec Industries is an authorized distributor of Lindstrom tools. Lindstrom is one of the oldest continuous producers of hand tools still around today; they’ve been producing precision pliers and cutters since 1856.

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(Exclusively from PurSwab!) PurSwab 3690

by Guest on January 11, 2012

(special thanks to PurSwab for guest blogging the content below!)

Hydro entangled polyester fibers of the new PurSwab 3690 cleaning applicator from PurSwab® render it even softer and more absorbent than the well-known PurSwab 3677. Ultrasonically welded onto a flexible tip paddle handle, this applicator is low in NVR’s and is lint and residue free – as well as chemical resistant.

6” in length, it is a great tool for cleaning sensitive surfaces that are difficult to reach. The double-layer hydro entangled polyester tip provides superior absorbency with very low lint. The 3690 stands up to IPA, acetone and other solvents.

Use with confidence for all critical cleaning applications including coated optic surfaces when removing residues and particulates is especially important. Ideal device for surface testing and cleaning validation.

All-Spec Industries is an authorized distributor of PurSwab, Puritan’s line of applicators for Critical Environments. Puritan has been a trusted US Manufacturer of single use products since 1919.

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What are the changes to WEEE legislation?

by David K. on January 9, 2012

Along with RoHS (which we went over last week), WEEE is one of the main pieces of environmental legislation currently enacted in the European Union. While RoHS limits the types of materials used in products, WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) regulates the disposal of electronic goods. However, WEEE can be a bit more complicated than RoHS as it is not uniformly implemented across the countries of the EU. The WEEE legislation was set up to be indicative of the general goals, with the member states of the EU deciding how much they wanted to increase upon the original scope.

The WEEE directive was created to promote recycling of electronic equipment. One of the biggest environmental problems with electrical equipment is that if it is not disposed of properly then it can end up in landfills not only in its original country but also often in third world countries. Many landfills and treatment facilities are not properly set up to accept the amount of electrical equipment that they receive, creating hazards for both the environment and people in the area. In a guest blog for All-Spec in 2008 Dr. Ronald Lasky talked about some of these problems, most of which still exist today. For this and many other reasons, the EU has been looking at revising the WEEE directive since December 2008, and we are getting closer to the recast coming into force. The European Parliament has set dates for the next debate and vote on the WEEE recast, on January 18^th and 19^th of 2012.

What exactly will be changed by this recast? For one, the mandatory targets for electronics collection would be set at 65% of the weight of electronic equipment going on the market for a country. This should both increase the amount collected (as only one third is being treated right now) and make sure the legislation is fair across countries that use more or less electronics than normal.

Another area that is being addressed in the WEEE recast is the various rules by different countries in the EU. While there will not be a complete homogenization of rules, the recast will try to make some parts more universal. This should help with trade between countries and alleviate a few of the headaches caused by having to know how the laws change between various countries for the disposal of electronics.

Some of the changes to WEEE are not only meant to change the scope, but also to clarify the document in general. In particular, the retrieval of critical raw materials is being added to some passages along side of the proper disposal and recycling of electronic equipment. This was already in the original document in some places, but now it is being pushed harder by adding more specific regulations.

This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the WEEE changes, as with any legislation it is very long and complicated. For more information, you can find the actual documents from the European Parliament’s website. Some more general information can also be found on the European Commission’s environmental website, as well as the United State’s export website. Check back on the website next Monday for more information on environmental legislation as we go over REACH, and if you did not see it last week then take a look at our article on RoHS II here.

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