(openPR) - Woburn, MA, March 21, 2007--- Visit Innov-X’s Booth 1203 at the PCB Design Conference West and Exposition† to learn how to protect your company from RoHS non-compliance, and what you need to be doing in regard to “due diligence”.

RoHS Screening Approach—European Union regulations for RoHS* compliance can pose a challenge to most companies. Many observers of EU directives believe they will focus on “due diligence”, and this may be a key to mitigating impact or penalties. “Due Diligence” is defined as a combination of obtaining and checking supplier certifications, and verifying certifications via a testing program. Using the Innov-X Handheld XRF analyzer in a screening test program on components, parts, cables and PCB’s can identify prohibited materials in just seconds. Recent studies indicate that up to 50% of supplier Certificates of Compliance stating products are RoHS compliant, yet fail to pass testing.

Innov-X Systems X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzers are simple yet effective screening devices that can be taken virtually anywhere. They have the ability to alert users to banned metals, using pass or fail criteria. They will document total Cr, Br, Pb, Hg, and Cd. In just seconds, prohibited materials may be identified and quantified. (See: www.innov-xsys.com/)

Use handheld XRF Innov-X analyzers in screening -- The Innov-X Handheld XRF Analyzers provide on-the-spot, fast and precise elemental analysis from phosphorus to uranium. They provide test solutions for RoHS screening of electronics and a host of NDT applications on solids, liquids, coatings and powders. Innov-X’s breakthrough design uses an x-ray tube in a compact, ergonomically designed handheld unit with an integrated pocket PC for unprecedented flexibility in a portable analyzer. A rear-facing display makes the units easy to read, supplementing the color screen. The integrated pocket PC runs with up to 25-element software suites using fundamental parameters, spectral matching and/or empirically generated calibrations. Easy upgrades will “future-proof” the unit as well as cutting edge technology that defies obsolescence.

For analyzing complex components, a new Innov-X small spot XRF analyzer isolates test areas by placing a test spot down to 3 mm diameter and displaying the image and sample target on the color PDA screen in real-time. It is ideal for evaluating nonhomogeneous parts such as PCB’s where the beam can be focused on a small component, solder joint, lead or terminal. You can switch from collimated pinpoint to full-field analysis with the touch of a button. Snapshot images of samples analyzed plus laser-targeted small-spot analysis are saved as part of your test records. The analyzer can measure up to 25 elements in a single test with pinpoint precision

Take small-spot XRF analysis to a higher level with the new range of Hawk-I™ Micro X-ray Fluorescence Bench-top Analyzers that deliver fast and precise identification and elemental analysis from Chlorine to Uranium (Cl to U). Using a collimated beam of 13mm to 0.2 mm diameter, with laser beam focusing, the Hawk-I ™ system is ideal for testing small or nonhomogeneous samples. Applications include analysis of RoHS compliance for electronics, PCB and component studies. The Hawk-I™ can perform fully standardless quantitative analysis with excellent statistical accuracy. The movable X-Y stage affords precise measurements across samples. The sensitive color CCD camera enables digital snapshots with magnification of up to 68X, and combined with the laser spot tool, it enables digital pictures to be conveniently analyzed and stored. Hawk-I™ includes a large testing chamber, X-ray tube source and Si PiN-Diode detector interfaced to a PC.

Simple Path to Compliance via Rental Program—Innov-X is helping manufacturers and component suppliers achieve RoHS Compliance. “We have cut pricing virtually to our cost as a means of helping the U.S. manufacturers become compliant. This is our way to help the electronic component suppliers, OEM’s, and contract manufacturers mitigate the impact of RoHS. It is a complex directive and we are helping suppliers and manufacturers reduce the impact on their operations. Our new XRF rental program and RoHS-Star™ software demonstrates our commitment to supporting this vital industry.” notes Don Sackett, Innov-X CEO.

RoHS Impact— Many companies have not yet reported the financial impact of RoHS. Manufacturers, particularly those that are attempting to address compliance for the first time, tend to underestimate the true costs of noncompliance. Palm and Apple have voluntarily withdrawn products found to be non-compliant**, as examples of the far-reaching legislation’s impact on the bottom line. Furthermore, as responsibilities of management, RoHS’ impact can fall under the reporting provisions of Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Law.

High-reliability, long-life materials for critical components in military, aerospace, certain medical devices and heavy equipment applications still requires the use of lead (Pb) in solders and finishes, as exempt from RoHS compliance. Leaded vs non-lead part mix-ups are possible, but Innov-X Systems’ handheld XRF will quickly identify lead content in your critical components without harming parts.

New RoHS Rules --On March 1st, the China RoHS regulations came into play, and while they look similar they’re markedly different than the EU’s legislation. There are other countries such as Korea and Japan with pending RoHS laws, and in the U.S., starting with California. Clearly, the environmental compliance picture has changed markedly.

Bring your questions to PCB-West---our experts will help provide the answers!

More information can be accessed at: www.innov-x-sys.com/interior//rohs/overview. Product photos may be downloaded at: www.innov-x-sys.com/pressroom/ .


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†PCB Design Conference West, Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA, Mar. 27—28, 2007 (www.pcbwest.com)

*RoHS= An EU Legal Directive for environmental regulations concerning the Restriction of use of Hazardous Substances. The Directive requires the removal of six hazardous substances from electrical and electronic equipment. Six Substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr+6 ,Br-compound: PBB - Polylybrominated Biphenyl; Br-compound: PBDE –polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers.

**“RoHS—The Data Collection Problem,” Eric Karofsky, AMR Research, Inc., December, 2006, www.amrresearch.com/Content/View.asp?pmillid=19996

About Innov-X Systems
Innov-X Systems is a vital new force in the x-ray fluorescence (XRF) industry. Their systems perform fast, accurate chemical analysis in seconds to identify, differentiate and quantify most materials by elemental composition. Founded in 2001, they pioneered handheld XRF instrumentation using a miniature x-ray tube rather than radioactive isotopes.
With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Innov-X has offices in Europe (the Netherlands), and Asia (Hong Kong). They maintain sales and service alliances in Canada, the Middle East, Latin America and worldwide. Service, installation and training is available in over 100 countries.

Contacts:
781-938-5005
Suzanne Moler, Sales Manager- North America
Email:sales@innov-xsys.com

Advertising/Media Contact:
Carrie-Ann Doucette, Marketing Specialist Adv & Media
E-mail: advertising@innov-xsys.com

Public Relations Contact:
Jim Martin
Email:pr@innov-xsys.com

Innov-X Systems, Inc.
100 Sylvan Road, Suite 100
Woburn, MA 01801
Toll Free: 866.4.Innov-X or 781.938.5005
Email: info@innov-xsys.com