Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1479191
34 PCB007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2022 just have burettes and titrations; you need some other methods of controlling your processes. To build high-end items, you must figure out reliability. How reliable are your processes? at's important. ere are opportunities to do D-coupon testing, CITC, as well as IST. You can use outside sources to qualify that. I would look at the latest in registration and imaging. How could I automate more of the etching? Can I connect the etching and imag- ing processes together? At the very least can I improve the etcher? Can I get a better etcher that's not 20 years old? Can I enhance my elec- troplating knowledge and tank set-up with new via fill technology? ere is good electrolytic copper technology today and it's getting better. All the suppliers are pushing via fill technology with new equip- ment and chemistries. To upgrade, you must take a leap of faith. e mil/aero space is clamoring for some help by the North American fabricator, oth- erwise they will go offshore. ey will argue to the DoD that if they can't get it built here, then what? You're going to shut down an entire fighter program? at would be devastating for this industry. To me, it would be the death of it. Johnson: In general, does the ownership in the U.S. fabrication industry have the motivation to do this? Carano: I've talked to several, particularly some who bought a new company or addi- t ional companie s over the la st coup le of years, and they're committed, smart, and motivated. eir work is full, upgrading where needed, looking to hire, moving up to the level they need to, investing in some equipment, maybe plating equipment and flying probe technology. e next step is with ultra-high density. It will be much finer lines and spaces, which translates into not just various layers, like sig- nal layers, but into the IC substrates. at requires another level of investment. e cur- rent lasers are great, they're at 1 mil, but you will get below that, down to 0.5 or 0.8 mil. at will require an investment, which will typically cost more. en you maybe add a new laser CO 2 YAG drill. at's another cost. I'm sure the military aerospace group will get some help. ere's money to be spread around and it's not going to cost a billion dol- lars per fabricator. With $10 or $20 million, it can be done. en, get people excited; instead of working in a foundry, which is not rad, come to our circuit board business, our electronics business, our interconnect business. We can give it something that says, "is is really cool." Johnson: With an automated factor y, now you're star ting to talk about more of an engineering function than just an operator function. Carano: Exactly. Folks can come in from a tech- nical school or a two-year program and say, "Hey, this is fun. I want to do more. I want to learn more." ey might want to take night classes or other training so they can do more on the job. It's life-changing, knowing the prod- ucts they make are helping somebody. If it's for the medical industry, for example, making stents more reliable for the human body, mak- ing heart monitors more reliable. While it's not the end product, those stents go in someone's body and they need to function. ey can't corrode or cause problems. at can make your work more enjoyable. Matties: ank you so much. We greatly appre- ciate your time. Carano: ank you. PCB007 To upgrade, you must take a leap of faith.