Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1538540
68 PCB007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2025 is critical. A vacuum table or a specialized vacuum adaptor is imperative. By firmly holding the panel in place, the vacuum eliminates vibrations, pre- vents panel movement, and ensures optimal flatness across the working area. This rigid, consistent hold allows the machine's tools to perform accurate and repeatable depth routing processes, leading to superior quality results with the most delicate and challenging PCB designs. Touch Probe Building on the stability provided by a vacuum table or adaptor, the depth routing with touch probe control offers the highest level of accuracy for cavity creation. A specialized touch probe is mounted on the Z-axis, providing an independent and highly precise means of verifying and control- ling the actual depth during the routing process. There are several ways to use the touch probe technology: 1. Single Measuring + Routing • Measure the panel surface: The touch probe precisely measures a single point on the panel surface to establish a definitive reference • Rout to defined depth based on panel surface: The routing path executes to the programmed depth, referencing the measured surface point 2. Multi-Measuring + Routing • Measure the panel surface with a touch probe: The touch probe scans multiple points across the panel's surface • Different measuring points on panel surface/ mapping process: This creates a more detailed topographical map of the needed area • Rout to defined depth based on mean value of mapped data: The routing path is dynamically adjusted based on an average or interpolated value from the mapped data points, com- pensating for localized surface irregularities across larger areas 3. Measuring after Routing • Measure the panel surface: Take an initial surface reference • Measure a lower, already processed level and check the depth: After an initial routing pass, the touch probe measures the depth of the routed feature to verify precision. This could be a critical quality control step. D R I V I N G I N N OVAT I O N F i g u re 9 : To u c h p ro b e c h e c k i n g t h e c av i t i e s . ▼