XRF Directory
In 2005, a year before EU RoHS, X-Ray Fluorescence was primarily an analytical tool used in laboratories. A few industries had discovered the convenience of this powerful tool and were being served by a handful of XRF manufacturers. XRF was being proposed as a way to screen parts and assemblies for RoHS compliance, but many were uncertain that the EU would accept such screening.
Since then, XRF has been firmly established as a first-line tool in the screening and compliance process, to be followed by more exacting methods as needed. In addition, more XRF manufacturers have targeted the compliance market by designing new, or retooling existing units. A short three years later, compliance engineers have many more choices of XRF solutions for screening and incoming inspection.
The dominant hand-held manufacturers, Niton, Innov-X and Oxford Instruments, continue to hold onto the largest chunk of the compliance market share. Other makers are now showing a greater presence in RoHS applications. As a result, there are now more ways to implement XRF-based screening.
Existing hand-held units have been updated with enhanced software and better accessories. The bench top kits that turn a hand-held into a fixed workstation are cleaner and more productive. New bench top models are available to screen finished goods or prepared, ground up samples. Some bench top models may be more cost effective than the hand-held units. One model combines portability and a large scanning chamber, taking bench top convenience to the field.
To help with the search for an XRF solution, RoHSwell has assembled an XRF directory. Products intended for compliance screening and testing are the only ones included. In addition to the EU, Chinese and Korean regulations, these listings include devices that are also suitable for lead screening of toys, jewelry and other consumer products.
The XRF Directory organizes products by manufacturer, category and beam size. Categories include hand-held, bench top and standalone. Beam size is used as a simple way to differentiate how samples are analyzed. A wide beam performs bulk analysis on the sample, which is often a finished product. At the opposite end, a micro beam analyzes the elemental content of a microscopic area. These more precise units often include X-Y mapping features.
The directory will be updated and expanded as new information becomes available. Manufacturers are invited to contact RoHSwell.com with corrections and additions.
Additional Resources
The RoHSwell XRF directory
RoHSwell XRF Articles:
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