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July 2016 • The PCB Magazine 89 pin registration. Maximum panel size is 610 x 660 mm. Visitech is a Norwegian company that sup- plies optical modules (optical subsystems) for di- rect imagers. The Luxbeam Lithography System (LLS) is based on TI's DLP ® (micromirrors) and multiwavelength LED light source, emitting in the range of 350–440 nm. Three modules are available with different resolution capabilities: LLS 10 (10–12 micron line/space), LLS 25 (25 micron line/space), and LLS 50 (50 micron line/ space). Optical multiplexing allows to achieve the very fine resolution. There have been advances in photoresist pho- tospeed to reduce exposure time with lasers, but there are potential drawbacks with high speed photoresists with regard to yellow light sensitiv- ity, shelf life, and resolution. High photospeed is not so much an issue with LED light sources and the use of multiple wavelengths, so that standard dry film photoresists can be used. PCB Karl Dietz is president of Karl Dietz Consulting LLC. He offers consulting services and tutorials in the field of circuit board and substrate fabrication technology. To view past columns or to reach Dietz, click here. Dietz may also be reached by phone at (001) 919-870-6230. DIGITAL IMAGING UPDATE interface with other processing equipment. Aiscent Technologies, Inc., a Canadian sup- plier, has done research and development in dig- ital imaging for more than 15 years. Its systems use DMD ® based photolithography and a pro- prietary high power laser. Double-sided models currently offered are suitable for the production of PCBs, high-resolution photomasks, digital screen imaging, and other customized indus- trial uses. Schmoll Maschinen, the well-known suppli- er of mechanical and laser drilling machines, is now also offering a DDI (digital direct imaging) system, ideal for prototyping innerlayer, out- erlayer, and soldermask images. It is based on semiconductor laser diodes and large (wide) op- tics. The imager is equipped with two to eight diode lasers and can handle a maximum panel size of 610 x 535 mm. Schmoll also offers MDI (micromirror digital imaging) systems. The sys- tems are available as a single-table unit or with a double stage for higher throughput. The units use high-power LEDs and DMD® with multiple waverlengths from 365 to 405 nm. The Swiss company First EIE SA supplies photoplotters, inkjet printers and direct imag- ers suitable for quick-turn, small-lot size shops. Its direct imager is named EDI500. The light source technology is based on TI's DMD ® de- vices with an advanced UV lens and very high pressure mercury arc lamp. Panel registration is done with a built-in CCD camera or by manual EPFL scientists invented a robot that mimics a sala- mander's gait with unprec- edented detail. It features 3D-printed bones, motor- ized joints and electronic circuitry as its "nervous sys- tem." Inspired by the spe- cies Pleurodeles waltl, "Pleu- robot" can walk and even swim underwater. The re- sults are featured in the Roy- al Society journal Interface. Auke Ijspeert and his team at EPFL's Biorobot- ics Laboratory have built salamanderrobots be- fore, but this is the first robot that's based on the 3D motion of the ani- mal's skeleton. The sci- entists used X-ray videos of a salamander from the top and the side, track- ing up to 64 points along its skeleton. New Robot Mimics Vertebrate Motion