92 PCB007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2024
Subtractive etching has been the tech-
nology of choice since the era of PCBs
began in the mid-1950s. I can remem-
ber TV ads for one manufacturer that
claimed their TV sets were of much
higher quality claiming, "We use wires
to make the connections for our tele-
vision sets, not cheap printed circuit
boards." Imagine that.
California-based PCB manu-
facturer Winonics has been on
a journey to develop additive
manufacturing technology that
can go the distance. CEO Den-
nis Brown, Director of Technol-
ogy Gary Abel, and VP of Oper-
ations Sidali Koulougli discuss
the company's history, acquisition strategy, and
investment in new equipment, as well as highlight
their R&D efforts in additive manufacturing. The
team's commitment to quality, customer service,
and flexibility as a smaller, nimbler company is part
of what makes it a go-to PCB manufacturer for the
projects that others turn away.
Hans Fritz started his career as an engineer with Gerber Scientific
Instruments in Hartford, Connecticut, later working for Orbotech
on its first LDI systems, at EIE in Switzerland making photo plot-
ters, and then at Hakuto Europe, a subsidiary of Hakuto Co. in
Japan. He has spent the past three decades as general manager
at Sense Advanced Technology, now working with his daughter
Milena and business partner Alexander Weigl.
Will Modern Additive Manufacturing Revolutionize
PCB Manufacturing?
Alex Stepinski delves into the evolving landscape of additive manufac-
turing technology in PCB fabrication. He highlights the historical shifts
in additive and subtractive processes and emphasizes the recent focus
on fine patterning and 3D printing. He discusses the challenges faced in
achieving fully additive processes, citing past experiences and the need
for extensive process control.
Saying 'Yes' to Additive
Technology at Winonics
Can the Limits of Subtractive
Etching Be Extended?
Moving Additive Technology Forward
TOP TEN
EDITOR'S
PICKS
Alex Stepinski
