Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1467744
14 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2022 replaces chemical processes. It makes it easy to automate the dry film process because it can be installed in the yellow room, gaining the space where the chemical clean process was installed. Secondly, it's really good, we believe, for HVLP copper, because you're not chang- ing the surface or removing copper at all. We believe that PCB designers will like it because they will gain more consistency with their sig- nal integrity. Johnson: Usually when fabricators are mak- ing changes to processes, there's a compel- ling advantage, something has pushed them. Is it staffing shortages and the resultant need for automation, which triggers equipment upgrades, or is it capabilities and processes, with automation as a tag-along? Ed Carignan: I've been in this industry for over 30 years and over just the last five years people are very focused on moving toward a zero discharge, very green, zero waste deposit. is is driven by a lot of things, including ROI and clients. You see technology like the Wonderwise equipment using a plasma clean- ing that's non-chemical based. It is extremely attractive for green processes. It's also true that when you get into additive manufacturing there are fewer materials that go down the drain and must be treated before they're discharged. ere's a lot of focus in that one area and you could argue that it doesn't always have perfect ROI in the traditional way where you calculate labor and material costs. ere is, however, an impact on how you mar- ket your company as a green source of printed circuit boards. A lot of people are jumping into that, making commitments to their com- munities, and marketing the idea that they're increasingly a greener industry and less of a messy industry. Medina: When you talk about marketing your company, green initiative is one benefit, but also everything we're discussing also reduces the cycle time. Most U.S. business is in the high- mix, low-volume NPI arena; it's all about how fast they turn that job, how fast they deliver. at is where they make their money. When you cut out all those steps and you're able to process a circuit board in a shorter time frame, there is a gain to the business. But how do you measure that in ROI? It's a little more difficult, as now the benefits aren't as tangible. But they do bring benefits to the company. Matties: Right, just like adding capacity, it's an incredible ROI. Medina: Exactly. If you get a board through the facility faster with less processing, now you can take on more work, right? Matties: When brownfield sites are looking at zero waste, are they opting for a complete refurb of their system with new technology, or are they bringing it in piece-meal as the oppor- tunity presents itself ? Carignan: e existing brownfield sites have the opportunity to bring in a variety of pack- ages, allowing them to get closer to zero dis- charge. Fortunately, many upgrades can be incremental. In other words, you can handle different waste streams and implement dif- ferent technologies without overhauling your whole waste treatment area, which, of course, would be difficult to do. Fortunately, most of the zero-waste technology that people are moving toward can be implemented in situ. Matties: Is the ROI on incremental upgrades high enough to reconsider your investment strategy? Medina: e industry hasn't invested because it brings any value or cost savings. Instead, they've put in waste treatment to comply Ed Carignan