[Soekris] Brain lapse

[Igor Sobrado]

Hi, der Mouse.  Nice to see you again!

IMHO, Soekris Engineering is now into RoHS compliance (they are under
an exception in annex 7 of the 2002/95/EC directive, as they are selling
networking equipment that requires the highest reliability).  They should
certainly stay at RoHS-5.

I spoke about this matter with a very good friend I have at Illinois
(Dave Uhring) some days ago.  There are certainly lead-free solder with
different alloy mixes, but they are not as reliable as current lead-based
solder.  I certainly agree with Dave than an eutectic alloy of 62% lead,
36% tin and 2% silver is better for equipment with higher reliability
requirements.  There is no way to replace lead-based solder yet when
flow and wetting performance at low temperature is required---the large
amount of surface mounting components on a net4xxx board makes lead-based
solder the only chance to get a reliable product.

Why not just stay at RoHS-5 until a good lead-free solder is developed?

Soekris Engineering removed five hazardous substances in the manufacturing
stage, as required by RoHS-5, some months ago.  I guess that they are now
developing new boards again.  I hope they have no plans to remove lead
based solder if it means making net*, lan* and vpn* boards less reliable.

Cheers,
Igor.