The inside of the mouse

Using the example of this interactive sketch of the inside of a computer mouse we want to show the need of a fair alternative. If you click on one of the components it shows the function, raw materials and some challenges during the fabrication of the component.

You get an overview about the components which are fairly traded or mostly fair traded in our computer mouse on this diagramm of our current supply chain.

Please click the components in the picture for information (same colour = same component).

Interaktive Grafik einer Computermaus
Interactive sketch of a computer mouse.

Capacitors (5 pieces per mouse)

Our Capacitors

Origin: WIMA, Frolyt: produced in Germany; Vishay: own production in Israel; the different factories supply us with different condensators

Function

Buffer and Resistor

Raw Materials and pre-components

aluminium/ nickel, copper, tin, plastic material (raw oil)

Potential problems with capacitors in electronic equipment(excluded in our mouse)

A report of the NGO CEREAL about working conditions in Mexico.

Chip/Processor with optic sensor

Our Chip

Origin: Chinese producer (Pixart), manufactured in Phillippines

Function

Absorption of the reflecting light from the LED and translation of the physical movement in digital data. The right picture shows the chip from below, you can see the mouth of the camera.

Raw materials and pre-components

Silicium, Gold, Plastics

Potential problems in production

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Potential problems in minig of the raw materials

gold, silicium, raw oil

Further information

Report about massive environmental problems in the production of Silicium in China.

LED

Our LED

Origin: Japanese producer (Nichia), no information about country of manufacture

Function

Lights up the background so that the optic sensor in the chip can detect the movement of the mouse.

Raw materials

Silicium, Raw oil

Potential problems in the production

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Resistors

Our Resistors (3-4 pieces per mouse)

Origin: Microtech, manufactured in Germany

Function

Regulation of power and tension in the electric circuit

Raw materials and pre-components

aluminium, nickel, maybe chrome, copper, tin, iron, silicium et al.

Potential problems in production (not in our resistors)

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Micro switch

Our Micro Switch

Origin: Japan. At this point our swithes come from Cherry. They purchase the switches from a company in Japan, where they are supposed to be produced as well. No further information. For the next version of the mouse we want to change the supplyer because the supply chains seems to be a little untransparent. We are not sure that the switches are really produced in Japan.

Function

Underneath the buttons there are microswitches. They transfer the mechanic movement of the hand by opening an closing the electric circuit into an electric signal.

Raw material and pre-components

Comming soon

Potential problems in production (not in our mouse according to our supplier)

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Micro switch

Our Micro Switch

Origin: Japan. At this point our swithes come from Cherry. They purchase the switches from a company in Japan, where they are supposed to be produced as well. No further information. For the next version of the mouse we want to change the supplyer because the supply chains seems to be a little untransparent. We are not sure that the switches are really produced in Japan.

Function

Underneath the buttons there are microswitches. They transfer the mechanic movement of the hand by opening an closing the electric circuit into an electric signal.

Raw material and pre-components

Comming soon

Potential problems in production (not in our mouse according to our supplier)

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Oscillator

This component is integrated in the chip of our mouse.

Lense

Our lense

Origin: Chinese producer (Pixart), manufactured in China

Function

Focuses the reflecting light from the LED for the optic sensor.

Raw materials

The lense consists of plexiglass, made from raw oil.

Potential problems in mining of the raw oil

Violations of human rights during the mining and the transport of the raw oil are quite common.

External link

A exemplary Report from the NGO »SOMO« about working conditions in a factory in China, which produces lenses for mobile phones. The general production steps of lenses for computer mice is similar.

PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

Our PCB

Origin: Greule, manufactured in Germany

Function

PCB. All electronic components of the mouse are conected with each other by the PCB to which they are attached.

Raw material and pre-components

The PCB is made of synthetic material with a glasfiber net, coated with copper and a finish for isolation.

Potential problems in production (not in our mouse)

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Wire

Our Wire

Origin: Lindy, produced in China. No further informations.

Raw materials

Wires consist of the copper wire and of the isolating coating made of synthetic material and Aluminium.

Potential problems in production

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Body and Scroll Wheel

Our body

Origin: Production in Landshut, Germany
Raw materials: Woodwaste products fabric, mineral fillings, natural resin and -waxes. All components are from European origin.

Conventionel Raw materials

Raw oil

Potential problems in production (excluded for our body)

No reports. Common problems (Overtime working hours, inadequate low wages, health damage, missing social security, etc.)

Scroll wheel

Our scroll wheel

The working conditions in production as well as in the extraction of raw materials correspond to our ideas of FAIR.

Function

Scrolling :-)

Conventionel raw materials

Raw oil

Production of conventional scroll wheels

In the plastics industry, working conditions are similar to those in the electronics factories: hazardous materials are used and protective equipment is often scarce; overtime is forced, so workers have to work up to 80 hours a week at illegally low wages. The pollution of the landscape by production waste is sometimes severe: "The High Cost of Calling".