Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1520956
MAY 2024 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 71 jet solder mask process, and no one asked about the conventional process. Let's talk about workforce. You are reducing the need for people, which is a huge potential cost savings. This is a fully automated Smart machine. Do you need a process engineer to run the machine or just a trained operator? Hahn: At least for your first machine, you need somebody who is interested in this new tech- nology and is not reluctant to move to new technologies. We have developed several train- ing courses. Our application guys go to the cus- tomer site for about two weeks to support the transition and work with the different teams: CAM, production, etc., and they support the customer. What about advanced substrates vs. a traditional PCB? Inkjet printing seems to be the solution there. Hahn: Advanced substrates are a fusion between the PCB and the semiconductor. It is very interesting. Right now, inkjet printing has some limitations because you cannot generate very, very small features. e limit is currently a 30 µm droplet and a 50 µm feature. We are currently working on new printing methods such as the EHD (electrohydrody- namic) printing technology, which will allow printing resolutions around 1 µm. Do you see Notion developing a greater focus on metal printing to take the place of traditional plating going forward? Schmidt: is is one of our future develop- ments, but we are not yet there. As far as metal printing, we are already working on a project on 3D-printed antennas for radar and LIDAR applications (TINKER project). In the first step, we print the basic 3D body of the sensor with a polymer, which is covered in a second step by a conductive ink and then sintered with a laser. As far as moving into new areas within an industry or market, we follow a measured, step-by-step approach. Hahn: For the future, there might be potential for EMS companies that want to bring PCBs in-house, which would never make sense tra- ditionally. With this technology, it might be a consideration because you do not need to focus on five different processes. ere is just one machine that does not require all that floor space. More education and training are needed. What do you feel is needed in the additive space to support engineers and technicians as we expand this technology for PCB manufacturers? Hahn: I talked to IPC four years ago, trying to find somebody to help us form an additive class, but that also takes some time. It takes a lot of interest before there is movement whether on the level of company or industry. IPC has done a lot in the past few years. We hope to see that trend continue where additive process tech- nology is concerned. Thank you, gentlemen, for your time. Schmidt: ank you, Marcy. PCB007 David Hahn