Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1437606
26 PCB007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2021 machine and then, during the printing and the processing, stitch them again. At the end, you have your whole PCB. is is done for FPC industries, and for ADIX reel-to-reel equip- ment, but this is just one of the R&D projects regarding image and image processing in direct imaging. A second process that we have worked on is almost the same, but we call it stitching. In this case, the customer is looking for a way to have a single PCB image repeated several times on the web, but with a very constant step. So, we put in the first image and then we are able to put in the second image with the perfect stitching in between the first and the second one, and then again for the third and the other ones. In early 2015, we started this stitching function for conventional exposure for web application, but we duplicated it into direct imaging recently. So, these two functions that we brought into our equipment quite recently (two or three years ago) are dedicated for the applications I previously mentioned—5G and mass PCB production. Johnson: Is there anything just over the hori- zon that customers should be watching for? Camus: We unveiled our new machine, the Adix SA duo, at productronica. In short, it is the association of a new innovative light source and a dual table system. Of course, the plan is to start the communication before, during, and aer the event. For IPC, we will be attending IPC APEX EXPO through our U.S. company. Johnson: Altix also has PCM solutions. Tell me what's happening in that space. Boureau: Yes, this is very important for us. e PCM and PCB industry needs are close to each other and we're always looking to develop new products for both markets. We keep in mind the constraints and needs of the two markets when developing new equipment for photo exposure, conventional exposure units, or for direct imaging. It's very important for us, that's why I just want to mention that again. Altix offers roll-to-roll direct imaging for fine-line resolution.