Ziehl-Abegg develops and produces controllers for various application fields at its main site in Künzelsau in the south of Germany. In other words, in ventilation technology, there are units for fan speed control whereas in drive technology it is mainly controllers that are used for control of elevator motors.
The manufacturing depth extends from printed circuit board assembly up to assembly and final inspection of completed terminal units. The printed circuit boards are assembled using both conventional THT (through hole technology) as well as in SMD (surface mounted device) technology.
In March 2005 the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Cost Ordinance Act (ElektroG) was passed, according to which, as of July 2006, various materials are prohibited in specific categories of electrical and electronic equipment. The Act prohibits the following materials: Lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chrome, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated biphenylether.
Currently, Ziehl-Abegg products are not included in the equipment categories for the ElektroG Act because they are installed in stationary systems. Despite this, the Ziehl-Abegg AG company has voluntarily agreed as of 1st August 2006 to deliver its entire product range in compliance with the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances).
One can assume that the scope of the ElektroG Act will be extended in future to cover the currently applicable exceptions. In future, customers will increasingly be demanding products that comply with the RoHS. Up until now, stationary systems were excluded.
It was a challenge for the control technology department to not only continue producing as normal, but also to start manufacturing unleaded assemblies as well as the repair of unleaded products. Ziehl-Abegg AG is already in a position to provide its customers with well-proven technologies and optimized production processes. Concepts have been developed in cooperation with suppliers, to enable compliance with the specifications within Directive 2002/95/EG (RoHS Directive). In order to implement this, certain requirements had to be fulfilled and investment was also necessary.
Therefore, as of March 2005, only unleaded components are normally ordered. All incoming information on the components is successively incorporated into the PPS to enable all participating teams to access the data without any problems. To ensure that the production process runs as smoothly as possible it has also been necessary to introduce special identification methods for unleaded components.
Similarly, as of March 2005, only unleaded versions of printed circuit boards are being ordered and used.
Due to revised soldering temperatures and different soldering characteristics, it was also necessary to invest in a completely new wave soldering system. In addition to this, new manufacturing methods were also required in order to accommodate the properties of the new solder.
It is only because of intensive cooperation and a structured approach, that Ziehl-Abegg has been able to provide its customary high quality control technology products that comply with RoHS before August 2006.
