About PCB-related equipment
A printed circuit board (PCB) functions as an electronic circuit for mounting and connecting electronic components such as capacitors and ICs. They are generally made of an insulating glassfiber board laminated with copper foil. In addition to traditional multilayer boards consisting of two or more boards stacked on top of each other, buildup boards manufactured by forming one insulating layer and circuit pattern at a time on an insulating board, and building up the conductive layers by connecting layers together have become the mainstream. As electronic devices have become more advanced, the miniaturization and increased density of circuit patterns on PCB has accelerated.
PCB Production Process
| Pattern Design / Data Editing |
The design data for circuit and solder resist (circuit protection resin) patterns is created using a CAM system. That pattern data is edited and treated for use according to the process and application. ● Integrated CAM System CU-9000 |
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Circuit Formation |
Photoresist is applied to the surface of an insulating board coated with copper foil in order to form the circuit pattern. |
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Direct Exposure Direct Pattern Exposure
● Direct Imaging System Ledia |
With Photomask Photomask Creation
Photomask Inspection
Pattern Exposure
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The circuit pattern is directly exposed onto the surface of a board coated with photoresist, without using a photomask, in accord with the CAM data.
A circuit pattern is formed on film or glass to create an exposure photomask.
Photomask expansion and contraction, and the width of the lines in its circuit pattern, are measured and inspected for defects.
The circuit pattern is exposed through a photomask onto the surface of a board coated with photoresist.|
Developing, Etching & Stripping |
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After the circuit pattern is developed, the copper foil is etched with acid and the unnecessary photoresist is stripped off.|
Layering |
When forming a complex circuit, multiple conductive layers are connected together and wired three dimensionally. Generally, the method differs depending upon the required wiring density. |
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Buildup Boards Layering
Inspection Formed circuits are inspected each time for defects, appearance and conductivity, and the results are fed back to previous processes. The processes following non-conducting film coating are repeated to form the multiple layers. ● Automatic Optical Inspection Systems
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Multilayer Boards Inner layer inspection
● Automatic Optical Inspection Systems
Outer layer inspection
Layering
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The board, on which the circuit was formed, is coated with non-conducting film and a laser is used to drill holes. After the surface of the board is then plated with copper to make the layers conductive, photoresist is applied and circuit formation is repeated.
Circuits formed on the inner layers of the PCB (the boards that are covered by other boards) are inspected for defects, appearance and conductivity, and the results are fed back to previous processes.
Circuits formed on the outer layers of the PCB (the outermost boards when stacked) are inspected for defects, appearance and conductivity, and the results are fed back to previous processes.
Multiple boards are stacked on top of each other, and heat and pressure is applied with a press to bind them together. After that, holes are drilled and plated with copper to make them conductive.|
Solder Resist Formation |
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After layering the boards, the surface is coated with solder resist to protect areas of the circuit other than those used to mount components.|
Direct Exposure
Direct Pattern Exposure
● Direct Imaging System Ledia |
With Photomask Photomask Creation A solder resist pattern is formed on film to create an exposure photomask.
Photomask Inspection
Pattern Exposure The solder resist pattern is exposed through a photomask onto the surface of a board coated with solder resist. |
The solder resist pattern is directly exposed onto the surface of a board coated with solder resist, without using a photomask, in accord with the CAM data.|
Developing & Curing |
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The solder resist pattern is developed and the surface is cured through irradiation and heating with ultraviolet rays.|
Solder Resist Inspection |
The solder resist formed on the surface of the board is inspected for defects and appearance, and repaired as necessary. |
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Metallic Coating & External Processing |
A metallic coating is applied to the board so that electronic components can be properly mounted. The board is then cut into its final sizes. |
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Final Inspection |
● Automatic Final Visual Inspection System FP-9200 |
The final boards are inspected for defects, appearance and conductivity prior to mounting the electronic components.