Digital PCB production usingindustrialinkjetprinting. Roel De Mondt, PhD Productronica Munich 2015

Transcription

1 Digital PCB production usingindustrialinkjetprinting Roel De Mondt, PhD Productronica Munich 2015

2 The whole world becomes digital, well, almost Photo film digital camera Letters s Books e-readers Vinyl MP3 PCB: core compound driving digitization: beating heart of all digital alternatives IRONY: PCB still produced with analog technology: rotogravure print rolls, dry film, resists + photo tool film 2

3 3 Digitization of PCB: from where to where? Inkjet

4 Digitization of PCB: from where to where? Etch resist Solder Mask Legend 4

5 Why inkjet for PCB? PCB industry is under pressure: Cost: material, manpower, footage Speed/flexibility: fast deliveries Environmental concerns use of less chemistry: shorten the workflow Inkjet is the answer by offering: Variable data printing without no make-ready time Footage and manpower Traditional : 100m² and 5 persons IJ: 10m² and 1 person Ecology: IJ prints only where you need it: less resist and no development chemicals 5

6 Why UV inkjet printing for PCB? Mass customization, unique identification Time saving: no setup, no screen, no film Substrates: solder masks, Cu Sustainability: less raw materials and waste Short runs: no screens, no film Logical Innovation 6

7 Status of inkjet printing Industrially reliable equipment and inks Matured in graphical applications Ink and equipment know-how evolved over years in direction of PCB Digital, non-contact printing method no master (plate or sleeve) direct from image file to substrate Even in industrial form, concept still equal to IJ home Ink properties for jetting process low viscosity pigment stability surface tension,. Ink properties for application opacity and whiteness adhesion in harsh conditions surface tension for image quality shelf life UV curable for non-absorbing substrates 7

8 Agfa Legend IJ ink features Proven quality in all commercial legend inkjet printers Approved for industrial piezo printheads Colors: white, yellow, black and flexible white Long shelf life Excellent image quality Non toxic, low odor Excellent adhesion to solder masks High UV cure speed: Mercury bulb and LED Worldwide presence and support In 8

9 9 Agfa Legend IJ ink overview

10 What s new? The same inkjet technology but for etch resist digital printing Offers all digital benefits but additive technology so less waste. Can be etched in FeCl 3 or CuCl 2 up to 1 hour Fast stripping in alkaline solutions, no solvents needed No changes to current industrial processes Replaces phototooling film and processing for innerlayer PCB production High contrast blue inkjet ink L/S down to 75 microns 10

11 Agfa ER ink Etch resist ink for PCB UV curable Inkjet ink: DiPaMat Etch Resist ER01 In use by several PCB printer manufacturers Goal: replacing the resist for innerlayers of PCB Target: prototype and QTA shops Testing passed: European, Chinese and Japanese companies tested etching/stripping behavior in production line Features: Viscosity compliant with Xaar, Konica Minolta etc. High UV cure speed under Hg bulb and LED Excellent adhesion on Cu, stainless steel, brass and other metals Ink breaks down in flakes upon stripping No thermal bake required, but possible 11

12 Agfa ER ink IJ PRINT 12 AFTER ETCH AND STRIP

13 When digital legend inks meet digital etch resist inks Bluetooth module produced using Agfa Legend Wh04 and ER inkjet inks: on demo at our Productronica booth B

14 Agfa ER ink outside PCB Non PCB applications: Chemical milling (PCM) and name plating: image and etch metal to shape Steel Rule Die: cutting dies for the packaging industry: manufacturing of self-adhesive labels, graphic and flexible packages Leadframe: IC packaging: 2nd level of interconnection between the integrated circuit in the package and the circuit board Smart card connectors: connecting microprocessor chips to cards for Banking, Telecom and I.D. 14

15 Conclusion Agfa is committed to remain a leading player in the PCB industry. Agfa wants to remain market leader in Phototooling film. Digital alternatives also being developed: portfolio of inkjet inks for PCB legend printing available, established and proven quality and still being expanded The next step in digital production of PCB s is also covered: etch resistant UV-curable inkjet inks. Etch resistant inks will be marketed also outside PCB: (photo)chemical machining, flexible die production and nameplate applications. 15

16 Thanks for listening! 16

17 Back-up slides 17

18 Agfa Legend IJ ink overview 18

19 Agfa ER IJ ink 19