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SCOPE

This procedure describes the process for dismantling Smith & Nephew Endoscopy branded electronic/electrical products manufactured and/or sold within the EU in compliance with WEEE requirements 2002/96/EC, Article 11.   The dismantling instructions are intended for use as guidelines by dismantlers or recyclers when processing end-of-life products.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Smith & Nephew Endoscopy: Ensures equipment is properly labeled and disposed of in line with the WEEE requirements.
Dismantlers / Recyclers: Strips products damaged or beyond useful life into material types providing savings on landfill weight and costs.

DEFINITIONS

EU	European Union
WEEE	Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/96/EC)
RoHS	Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/95/EC)
Producer	Manufactures and sells electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) under his own brand
PCB	Printed Circuit Board
PSA	Pressure Sensitive

EQUIPMENT

The list below represents general and specialty tools used in the dismantling of Smith & Nephew Endoscopy products.

• Phillips and flat screwdrivers #1 and #2
• Pliers and wire cutters
• Oval head cutter
• 3/16-inch nut driver
• 1/4-inch Hex nut driver
• Allen wrenches
• TR 10 x 50 tamper-resistant Torx driver (WIHA 7045)
• Wrench, 10 mm open end
  
  
  

PROCEDURE

NOTE: Please follow the general safety and personal protection precautions in your facility when dismantling WEEE.

Dismantling consists of several subassembly groups for numerous Smith & Nephew Endoscopy products. Please follow the instructions listed below. Individual waste containers should be labeled and used accordingly.

The table below lists material types that can be found in Smith & Nephews Endoscopy products.

Metals	Plastics	Electronics	Other
Aluminum	Noryl	PC Boards	Heat shrink tubing
Stainless Steel	Acetyl	Cable assemblies	Foil tape
Plain steel w/ plating	Tie Wraps	Computer drives	Rubber feet
Copper	ABS	Fans and connectors	BG39 glass
Brass	PVC	Switches and membranes	BK7 glass
Carbon steel	Polyethylene	AC receptacle	Charcoal foam
Titanium	Polypropylene	Electric valves	Lamps
	Nylon	AC power swtich	Glass
	Silicone rubber	Stranded wire
	Polyetheretherketone	Coaxial wire
	Polyphenylsulfone	RF filter

REMOVAL OF COVER

Remove the main cover by taking out the screws in the back of the unit. Place the hardware and cover in the metals waste container.

REMOVAL OF CABLE ASSEMBLIES AND WIRING

Cut all the tie wraps that are securing the cable assemblies.  Place them in the plastics waste container.  Remove cable assemblies and wires by disconnecting them or cutting the leads flush with the connectors.  Place the cables in the electronics waste container.  Place the connectors in the plastics waste container.

Exception: There are some cable assemblies that have metal connectors (VGA, USB, etc.).   Place these connectors in the metals waste container after removing them from the cable assembly.

Note: Access to some cable assemblies can only be achieved by removing components above or around them during the dismantling process.

Where feasible, cable assemblies with ferrite beads attached should have the ferrite removed from the cable assembly and placed in the metals waste container.  Some cable assemblies are an integral part of an electronic component and cannot be removed by dismantling.  Discard the component with cable assembly attached in the appropriate waste container.

DISMANTLING OF REAR PANEL

Dismantle the bezel assembly by removing the fasteners from the chassis.  Place the fasteners in the metals waste container.  If any cable assemblies or PC boards or switches are mounted to the bezel, remove and place them in the electronics waste container.  If the unit consist of any knobs dispose of them in the appropriate waste container.  Front panels containing a front overlay are most likely attached by a PSA adhesive and can only be removed with solvent.  It is recommended that the front overlay remain attached to the bezel.  The bezel is an injection molded plastic and should be placed in the plastics waste container.

REMOVAL OF PC BOARDS

The PC boards (PCB’s) are typically secured by fasteners and, in some cases, are in a stacked assembly in the unit.  Remove the fasteners and place them in the metals waste container or plastics waste container according to the fastener material, remove the PCB’s and place them in the electronics waste container.  PCB’s can consist of sheet metal brackets used for mounting or there may be metal stand offs used.  As they are encountered and disassembled place them in the metals waste container.  Continue the dismantling process from the top down until all PCB’s, fasteners, and shielding are removed and discarded as indicated.

DISMANTLING OF OTHER COMPONENTS (NOT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED)

After the dismantling of the front and rear panels along with the removal of all cable assemblies and PC boards, there can be several miscellaneous components remaining that have not been specifically mentioned for removal.  These components can consist of the following items at a minimum:

• Power Supplies
• Keyboards
• Displays
• Hard Drives
• Motors
• Lamp Assemblies
• Speakers

Remove all remaining items and place them in the appropriate waste container. Place the fasteners in the metals waste container.

DISMANTLING OF CHASSIS

At this point in the process there should only be the chassis with very few components remaining.  Check the bottom of the chassis for possible mounting feet.  Chassis feet are typically plastic or rubber and attached by fasteners or adhesive.  Remove the fasteners if applicable and place them in the metals waste container and place the feet in the plastics or other materials waste container accordingly.  Remove any remaining non-metal items such as plastic wire ducts and dispose in the appropriate waste container.  The chassis should now be free of all components. Place it in the metals waste container.