Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1481876
12 PCB007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2022 Davidson: For our inner layer department, we have two Nuvogo laser direct imagers from Orbotech. ose are for our print-and-etch product. I have an Acura from Altix, which is a mechanical printer for a sim- pler product. It runs faster than an LDI, so we keep it to fit the higher ramp-up quantity area. For outer layer, I have two Nuvo- gos for the print-and-plate prod- uct and specialty prints, so we can do all the selective gold. We do dot plat- ing. We do have ENEPIG and ENIG for all the specialty images needed to meet the cus- tomer requirements. For wet processing aer print, for inner layer, we use the SCHMID DES (develop, etch, strip) lines, and for outer layer, we use the SCHMID developers. en it goes over to the plating area. For coating, we use Hakuto CSLs (cut sheet laminators). Shaughnessy: You do laser and film? Davidson: Yes, for inner layers I have the Acura that runs silver film. It's a clamshell type printer, but it's automated. It autoloads the layer, brings it into the print frame area, pre- aligns the top and bottom film, pulls vacuum, prints both sides of the layer at the same time, then brings it out. For the laser direct imag- ing, of course, you can only image one side at a time. But with the Nuvogos, they're double- drawer printers, so they're faster, but still not as fast as a mechanical printer. Shaughnessy: What's the cutoff ? How do you know when to use film vs. laser? Davidson: It's driven by the spacing. With 3 mil or larger spacing for inner layers, we go to the Acura. Anything less than 3 mil and we will not allow it. en, we have some product that we're allowed to repair and do welds, but with some products, you can't. With the mechan- ical printer, you're at a higher risk for repetitive debris defects, so that type of product will get moved over to an LDI where you have much less risk for that. e repairability and spacing are the main drivers on whether we allow it to go to the mechanical or not. Shaughnessy: W h e n s h o u l d somebody consider investing in LDI? Davidson: As soon as possible, actually. ere are so many advantages to the LDI for qual- ity that you do not get repeat defects, whereas with a film printer, that repeat can be a killer. Now, the trade-off is that a mechanical printer is fully automated and runs half a million dol- lars compared to an LDI that is almost a mil- lion dollars. e price trade-off is that you need it. If you don't go to full automation, you can go down to right around $300,000 for a good mechanical printer. Nolan Johnson: With regard to the laser direct imager, can you do everything with that? Davidson: Yes, I haven't found anything we can't print on it so far. We do know with different LDIs, they have different laser sys- tems to get the UV energy. ere are some limitations on some resists that don't expose well on Nuvogo. e Nuvogos have limited wavelengths of energy. One advantage of the Acura printer is the spectrum for the UV energy is much wider, whereas the Nuvogos are basically laser diode, and the wavelengths are very narrow. If you're looking for a "one machine prints all" type machine, be aware of the resists you're using, all the way through solder mask. Johnson: e takeaway is that with the data inbound, whatever data you have, you can print any of that. at part is 100% slotover. Loren Davidson