What type of technology would require more energy and machinery to manufacture a resistor? SMD or THT? My initial guess is SMD as the component needs to be heated up many times and have added metals like nickel and tin while the THT does not requires heating and other metals.

Is my assumption right? Thanks in advanced

 

What type of technology would require more energy and machinery to manufacture a resistor? SMD or THT? My initial guess is SMD as the component needs to be heated up many times and have added metals like nickel and tin while the THT does not requires heating and other metals.

Is my assumption right? Thanks in advanced

My gut says it's the other way around. Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't an SMD component be lighter than the comparable thru-hole component? No metal leads.

I admit I have no idea. To do the analysis properly, you'd also need to know if the useful lifetime is different between the two manufacturing methods. If one lasts twice as long, its energy to manufacture becomes less important.

 

What is the energy cost of the leads? I think Wayne is right, given that there is significantly more metal mass in a leaded resistor. Also, there is more energy needed to mount and solder a leaded resistor. Don't forget the energy cost of manufacturing solder.