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As part of reduction in use of hazardous substances in Nikon products, we are promoting adoption of lead-free solder, development of the metal plating technologies to eliminate the use of hexavalent chrome, reduction in use of heavy metals in overall surface treatments including coatings and inks, elimination of use of lead and PVC in cable/wire covering, and avoidance of heavy metal use in metallic, plastic and electronic components.
Lead-free Flow Furnace
Under the auspices of the electronics production lines at Yokohama Plant and Sendai Nikon, we have completed full-scale of adoption of lead-free solders in our product development and manufacturing technologies departments throughout the entire Nikon Group.
Our in-house training and technical certification system for the training of staff on the techniques of manual soldering now includes a course on lead-free soldering procedures, to help our employees master the new technology. Over 700 instructors and qualified staff have been trained in lead-free soldering worldwide.
Lead-free PCB for advanced immersion-type of IC scanner
The majority used at Nikon is the tin-silver-copper alloy that has been most typically used in the industry; however, the lead-free solders are also used for low-temperature tinsilver-indium-bismuth alloy, enabling response to wide range of products.
The use of lead-free solders is being implemented under the Environmental Action Plan. Progress has been rapid: Nikon has been using 100% lead-free solder for all of its new consumer products, including the D3 digital SLR camera, since the year ended March 2008.
The use of lead-free solder is also being aggressively promoted for our industrial products (steppers, microscopes, surveying instruments, etc.). More than 98% of our new boards produced since the year ended March 2008 have been soldered with lead-free materials.
Electro Deposition-painted Threaded Fastener for Camera
(Hexavalent-chrome-free)
Hexavalent chrome compounds are extremely hazardous, but have been extensively used in metal surface treatment for many years. The surface treatment departments of the Yokohama Plant renewed the technologies and processes used for chromate treatment and chrome plating earlier this decade. Through this effort, the plant completely abolished the use of hexavalent chrome in December 2004.
Based on these results and experiences, Nikon has actively introduced hexavalent-chrome-free surface treatment technologies in all product areas.
The many types of surface treatment used in industry are handled in diverse workplaces with diverse components, and pose wide-ranging problems. Nikon has responded by establishing strict technical standards regarding not only hexavalent chrome, but also lead, cadmium, and mercury. The company's goal is to abolish the use of heavy metals entirely.
The Nikon Group is taking steps to abolish the use of hazardous substances such as hexavalent chrome, lead, cadmium, mercury, PBB, PBDE and PVC in its products, as far as technically possible.
We also prepare elaborate data materials for our engineers in product development to alert them to the hazardous substances contained various metals, plastics, and electronic components.