Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/582861
38 The PCB Magazine • October 2015 Let me just emphasise again, that the inkjet process does not require a developing process as you only use the minimum of ink resist needed to produce the circuit design, thereby again reducing processing time, materials and wastage. Matties: How does it know which job? Does an operator have to come in and select? Coakley: In the basic manual operation mode that is possible, but the system is designed for full auto- mation by referencing panels in barcoded trays at the very start of the manufacturing process. It uses the master database to print the right image design on the right panel with minimum intervention. Matties: Can you explain the inkjet printing process in simple terms? Coakley: The panel, either for PTH or inner layer, enters the machine after standard pre-clean process and alignment. Once inside, the panel is picked up by a gripper bar that transports the panel into posi - tion on a vacuum table or chuck. The table and panel are then moved to an in- clined (60°) position for an alignment process using punched fiducials for inner layers or using pre-exist- ing drilled fiducial holes in the case of PTH boards. The panel is then transported, again with a gripper bar, onto the printing stage and aligned with the scanner prior to inkjet printing. These alignment steps ensure high front to back accuracy. Inkjet printing takes place by moving the panel in a number of swathes under the print head assembly, containing 60 print heads, to print the image. Mutracx use a unique print strategy and algorithms, with built-in print head redundancy, to ensure quality printing with the minimum of heads. After inkjet printing the panel goes through the internal AOI system to verify the printed pattern matches the CAM file and is free from printing defects; this automated AOI step ensures higher yields. The panel is then transported onto a turn buf- fer table to rotate the panel into the vertical posi- tion for the UV cure cycle to cure the printed resist. Once cured the panel is returned to the alignment stage ready for the bottom side print cycle. The printing swathes are repeated, along with the AOI function to check print integrity and then back into the UV cure stage to cure the bottom side. Matties: How many panels are processed at any one time? MUTRACx: FIRST INSTALL ACHIEvES CAM TO ETCH IN 5 MINUTES FeATure mutracx demonstrarion video. (2:12)