Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1507822
62 PCB007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2023 and ecological advantages. ere are also advantages within the application where you can generate new features which cannot be done with a traditional process. First, we can print the solder mask and leg- end in just one production step—solder mask followed by the legend. We can also print the 3D structures on a PCB. For example, if you don't want to use the white legend, you could use the solder mask as legend. at means we can print the solder mask with the same ink, just a little bit higher. Using the solder mask as legend saves an additional step. You can also print 2D codes on it. You can print watermarks and print dams right on it. ese are some lesser-known features which not all our customers are using, but they add value to the PCB. Everything adds value and revenue to our customers. Historically, inkjet has been considered a slow process, especially for production quantities. What effect does your machinery have on the manufacturing floor? When you look at the total cost of ownership and the total process time, it's a digital, layer- by-layer process that is very fast and precise. We have printing speeds up to 500 mm/sec; I don't call this slow. Depending on the board design, we can produce up to 50 PCB sides per hour, depending on the copper layer. SEL was smart; they connected two machines with each other, so they are printing the front side on one machine and the rear side on the other machine. at doubles their throughput. ere are some processes which might be faster, but when the installation is fully auto- mated, the entire process is much faster and run- ning at a much higher yield because everything is connected to each other. In a manual pro- cess, you have a lot of yield losses; you need at least three or four times more operators to run the whole line—people are carrying the boards around, or you have these boards and trolleys. Do you think these points are factors in your customers' decision? We have eight years of experience in inkjet printing, a leading installed base worldwide, and the fastest machine. is is really the key to our customers' decisions. I also want to state that it is very nice working with SEL. ey managed to build such a huge greenfield PCB factory in just one year. e whole team is very capable. Tell me about the new office in Boston. Yes, we have opened that of f ice w ith the Lab14 Group. Currently we have two peo- ple in the office: Kurt Weber, director of busi- ness development North America, and one service engineer. We are looking forward to growing the team next year, as we are expect- ing more business from the electronics and semiconductor industries. We see great poten- tial, not only in PCBs, but also in semicon- ductors and renewable energy. at is why we took the next step to open our own subsidiary in the Boston area. Thank you. It was great talking with you. It was great meeting you as well. PCB007 Kurt Weber