NEWS & EVENTS
Stay Updated with Our Latest Exhibitions and Company Dynamics
Case Study: Passing Halogen-Free Audits in PCB Manufacturing
In the global electronics supply chain, environmental compliance is non-negotiable. Regulations like RoHS, REACH, and the push for Halogen-Free manufacturing mean that every single component on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is scrutinized—right down to the ink on the tracking label.
This case study examines how a major Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) provider averted a critical export crisis by upgrading their thermal printing consumables.
The Problem: The Hidden Halogens
The Client: A leading contract manufacturer assembling smart home devices for the European market. The Issue: During a surprise third-party environmental audit mandated by their EU buyer, trace amounts of Bromine and Chlorine (Halogens) were detected on the PCB assemblies.
If the batch failed the Halogen-Free threshold, the entire shipment of 50,000 smart hubs would be rejected at the European border.
The engineering team panicked. They had carefully sourced Halogen-Free solder paste, fluxes, and FR4 board materials. Where was the contamination coming from?
The Diagnosis: Non-Compliant Ink Rolls
Our technical team was called in to assist with the root-cause analysis. We isolated the components and found the culprit: The tracking label. While the Polyimide (Kapton) label material itself was compliant, the generic resin ink roll used to print the barcode was not.
Many budget thermal transfer films use flame retardants or binders that contain Halogen compounds. When the printhead melts the ink onto the label, those Halogens are permanently transferred to the PCB.
The Solution: Only Imaging SP-HF (Halogen-Free) Resin
We immediately replaced their non-compliant consumables with the Only Imaging SP-HF Series.
-
Certified Halogen-Free: The SP-HF resin formulation is independently tested and certified by SGS to contain zero intentional Halogens, keeping Bromine and Chlorine levels well below the strict IEC 61249-2-21 limits.
-
Reflow Oven Resistance: Just like our standard extreme-heat resins, the SP-HF survives 300°C wave soldering and harsh flux-cleaning chemical baths without the barcode smudging.
The Result
The EMS provider reprinted the PCB tracking labels using the SP-HF thermal film and resubmitted the boards to the auditing firm.
-
Outcome: The boards passed the Halogen-Free audit with zero compliance warnings. The shipment cleared EU customs without delay.
-
Business Impact: The manufacturer secured their long-term contract with the European buyer, making the SP-HF Series their mandatory, globally specified printing consumable.
Conclusion: Audit Every Layer
Environmental compliance is only as strong as your weakest link. Ensure your tracking ink meets the same strict standards as your silicon chips.
ONLY IMAGING is a leading supplier of labels, printing equipment and associate consumables, including TTR products in various widths and lengths. Please take the opportunity to learn more about our range of high-quality thermal transfer ribbons and explore our other products for any further questions you may have click Here.
