Sunburst Electronics Adds New Lead-Free Production Capabilities in Keeping with European Environmental Protection Regulations

Sunburst Electronics, an electronic contract manufacturer based in Erie, Pa., expanded its production capabilities to include the manufacturing of lead-free electronic controls bound for Europe.

Erie, PA (PRWEB) June 9, 2006 -- Sunburst Electronics, an Erie-based electronic contract manufacturer, expanded its production capabilities to include the manufacturing of lead-free electronic controls bound for Europe. The European Union, via its RoHS environmental directive, mandated that lead-free solder materials be used in electronic products, effective July 1, 2006. Non-compliant companies exporting to Europe from the U.S. will otherwise be “locked out.”

To meet these changing market conditions and the higher temperature demands of lead-free solder compounds, Sunburst purchased an Electrovert OmniExcel 7 Solder Reflow Oven (with seven chambers) and an Electrovert Speedline Wave Solder machine, best-in-class brands produced by Massachusetts-based, Speedline Technologies. Having already received lead-free manufacturing orders, Sunburst’s new, seven-chamber, solder reflow oven meets higher temperature requirements for lead-free alloys but minimizes thermal stress on other electronic parts through a gradual, chamber-to-chamber heating process.

Dennis Cantoni, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Sunburst Electronics, said “Local businesses producing industrial controls, sensors, medical devices and other electronic products for Europe are facing major challenges when it comes to RoHS compliance. They must determine if they are exempt (or not) from RoHS regulations, generate compliant Bills of Material and transition to RoHS compliant manufacturing and inventory – a very disruptive process for manufacturers in our industry.”

In addition to adding new lead-free production capabilities, Sunburst is also partnering with local and regional companies to position them for RoHS compliance by identifying lead times associated with RoHS compliant parts, searching for alternative components or suppliers, evaluating current levels of non-compliant materials, determining strategies to maximize inventory use and creating compliant Bills of Materials.
                                                                        
Editor’s Note: Certified to ISO 9001:2000, Sunburst Electronics specializes in developing electronic assemblies (printed circuit boards, chassis assembly, cables and harnesses) for industrial machinery, control and measurement applications, instrumentation, avionics, transportation, transducers and medical devices, among others.

The company houses its operations in a 31,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility based in Erie, Pa., and maintains a separately staffed, 4,000-square-foot repair center specializing in end-of-life product management.

Originally founded in 1975 by Robert Heiges, Sunburst was purchased by Bliley Technologies, Inc., in 1986. Bliley (www.bliley.com) is a manufacturer of quartz crystals and crystal oscillators used in the telecommunications, military and space industries.

For more information, visit www.sunburstelectronics.com, or call or write Sunburst Electronics at 420 East Bayfront Parkway, Erie, Pa., 16507-1456. Phone: (814) 461-9120.

CONTACT:
Dennis Cantoni
(814) 461-9120
www.sunburstelectronics.com

Sandra McVeigh
(724) 776-5279
www.spectria.biz

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