PRINTTI-VALMISTE
production
CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)
Processing the customer's files into a production-ready format is one of the most important steps in printed circuit board manufacturing. At this stage, production checks are carried out, and panelization, possible additional markings, hole sizes, and a multitude of other technical details are determined. The files may also contain design errors, which, if found at this stage, prevent unnecessary costs and wasted time for the customer.
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Exposure
Production films are printed for pattern transfer. The image shows an Orbotech film plotter. Normally, the room has special lighting to prevent the photosensitive film from reacting in an undesired way.
Etching
After the etching line, the conductor patterns designed by the customer appear on the printed circuit board for the first time.
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Chemical Processes
Several separate chemical or electrolytic treatments are needed for the production of a printed circuit board. Right at the beginning (2-layer boards), metallization is grown into the vias after drilling. In a later stage, the final copper plating is applied to both the vias and the top and bottom sides. Multilayer boards have additional steps, such as brown oxide treatment and desmear. The image shows a PAL line for one stage of production.
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Final Finishing
Before finishing, the boards to be coated are micro-etched, and they are either tinned with lead-free or, in some cases, leaded dip tin.
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Testing
Flying probe electrical testing (MICROCRAFT EMMAs & ATG) is well-suited for testing the electrical functionality of prototypes and small series.
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