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56 The PCB Magazine • September 2014 HDI in their marketplace. Large OEMs in North America and Japan are also eagerly grasping at this technology and quickly integrating it into their approved process controls. This means that once manufacturers install eSurface lines, there will be immediate opportunities for business. Beyond the PCB industry, there are immediate applications for semiconductor companies who are courting eSurface heavily. The Elephant in the Room: China One of my earliest questions for eSurface leaders was, "Are you taking this to China?"Of course they are; they would be foolish business people if they didn't! However, they are going to keep China waiting for approximately two years. This gives us a head start for the first time in de- cades. If eSurface cost-modeling is even remotely accurate, we could potentially bring back work to our shores during this time period. It also al- lows us a window of time for development for unprecedented innovation that effectively puts us light years ahead of our Asian competitors. The possibilities are exciting to consider! eSurface Advisory Board In addition to eSurface's impressive leader- ship team, they have wisely added an advisory board that represents a broad spectrum of indus- try experts with whom to consult regarding nu- ances of inter-industry needs, concerns and ob- jectives. Due to my long tenure in the industry, as well as my unique focus on issues surround- ing the RF and microwave industry, eSurface has invited me to join the ranks of their advisory board. I have humbly and gladly accepted, and look forward to working directly with eSurface to consult, learn and collaborate with their team to help meet the needs of our industry. Related news from PCB007.com: eSurface Technologies, the developer of the eSurface proprietary method for creating print- ed circuit boards, today announced the comple- tion of a technology licensing agreement with Southern California-based Murrietta Circuits, Hope Floats For some time now the PCB industry has been a zero-sum game. If I win some new business, you lose some. We just recycle ex- isting PCB business while semiconductor companies continue to innovate and have all the fun. Because of that lopsided reality, we find ourselves pinned in the corner with one inadequate tool in our toolbox: subtrac- tive technology. But what if a truly viable ad- ditive process has been discovered? What if we could keep pace with the innovation of our semiconductor counterparts? What if we could offer robust 1–2 mil lines consistently and reliably? What if we could offer pristine feature geometries that aid in excellent signal integrity? What if under- and over-etching was a thing of the past and consistent geome - tries were possible? What if we could offer sig- nificant cost savings, making us domestically and globally competitive for the first time in decades? While I must carefully and responsi- bly examine and prove out the claims of eSur- face, I must not be categorically dismissive or industry-hardened. I must open my mind to the possibilities that eSurface puts before us, and when the litmus tests are passed be ready to fully embrace the excitement of a hopeful future for our beloved industry! PCB one of the preeminent circuit board providers in North America. The executed technology license agreement between Murrietta Circuits and eSurface Tech- nologies provides Murrietta the right to manu- facture printed circuit boards using eSurface's Judy warner is the director of sales and marketing for transline technology, a pCb manufacturer specializing in rf and micro- wave applications in anaheim, California. to contact warner, or to read past columns, click here. Murrietta, eSurface Ink Technology Licensing Agreement MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE continues