New Micronic 82 Drill Machine is in Production at CWI!

Andy Lewien, Circuits West -Process Engineer — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:49:29 +0000

Micronic 82 at CWI

Circuits West Inc is proud to announce completion of installation, testing, and training on our new Micronic 82 (aka, MACH-2) 2-Station Drill Machine!

This exciting new capital acquisition adds even more quality, throughput, and reliability to our existing process systems while also providing for new in-house capabilities.

-Improved hole to hole positional accuracy of +/-0.0008″.

-200,000 RPM spindles allow optimal cutting parameters for small diameter drill tools. Currently tested on site to a 0.006″ diameter, manufacture rated to 0.003″. The use of optimal speeds for small holes is a significant contributor to accuracy and tool life. Circuits West previous small hole capabilities were limited to a 0.010″ drill size and the tool breakage rate while not excessive did produce occasional yield issues.

-Linear Motors on the X,Y,and Z axis enable high acceleration rates, high positioning speed, and firm work-holding without performance degradation over time due to wear as is inherent in conventional lead screw systems.

-Laser tool metrology stations are utilized on every tool change to automatically provide dynamic non-contact measurements for validation of critical tool parameters such as length, diameter, and run out. The stations ensure the correct tool diameter is used every time and provide the machine with data to allow repeatable drill stroke depth. More importantly the stations detect potential process variations due to spindle and collet wear or debris.

-Contact depth controlled drilling capability (CDD) and broken tool detection. Simply put the machine detects the height at which the drill bit contacts the work surface in real time allowing per hole depth control, easily repeatable to +/-0.001″. Similarly a falure to detect the surface identifies the drill bit as broken and allows the work to be salvaged without damage in most cases. (Note that no tool breakage has occurred thus far, likely due to the rigidity of this machine.)

-Quick Insert Change (QIC) system changes the pressure foot insert based on the drill tool size. The pressure foot insert is a static machine part that holds the panel down in an annular pattern around the location of the hole to be drilled. QIC effectively adjusts the annular offset between two settings, this ensures better hold down and therefore accuracy of via holes.

Micronic 82 Station View

Visit the manufacture for further information at www.micronic-na.com.

Chosing a Quick-Turn Proto PCB House

Chuck Anderson, Circuits West -Owner — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:30:41 +0000

In the current environment of printed circuit board (PCB) design the norm seems to be to accelerate the design to final product as quickly as possible. With this in mind it is always best to select a PCB manufacture with the capabilities to meet the requirements and be able to consistently deliver month after month and year after year. It is common to have good success on two or three parts only to have the next job be late or even of inferior quality. There are many factors to consider in making sure the organization you select has the engineering and infrastructure in place to meet the requirements for on-time consistent delivery.
One of the most important things to consider is the capability of the CAM dept. Do the engineers review data quickly and summarize questions for a quick response? Is the first thing the engineers do is run a DFM(design for manufacturing)? By running the DFM potential problems can be identified and quickly rectified. A quick-turn job should be on the floor four hours of receipt of purchase order. Another valuable tool is a check list of parameters and scripting programs to confirm that all data is reviewed and edited the same way.
There are many processes involved with the manufacture of printed circuit boards. All procedures must be followed consistently to ensure the same results. One of the best ways to do this is with “statistical process controls(SPC)”. Does the manufacture you chose perform SPC from the image process through the analysis of plating chemistry? All chemical processes should be setup on SPC so any significant variation can be easily spotted. The application of SPC to the etching process is especially beneficial as it helps ensure line width uniformity. Procedures should be in place for all processes. The procedures would apply from the lamination for multiple layers through the quality control process at final inspection.
A preventative maintenance program should be in place to confirm reliability of equipment. All equipment should be on a weekly, monthly, and semi-annual maintenance schedule. Examples; drills and routers to receive bi-annual PM’s with weekly table maintenance. Exposure units should be cleaned once a month with calibration every six months. Testers and automated optical inspection(AOI) equipment should be adjusted (calibrated) once per year.
Equipment duplication is also a value added factor. Companies with two or more testers, automated inspectors, drills, and routers have the ability to keep your time critical jobs moving if one or more pieces of equipment should go down.
Finding a shop with all processes in house such as immersion gold and silver as well as test helps insure consistent timely delivery. It is best to work with a manufacture that has all processes for complete board manufacture in house.
I’m hoping this brief overview will aid in the selection of quick-turn PCB manufacture. I’ve tried to high-light all important factors that typically determine the success of the PCB manufacturing process.

Circuits West Inc.

New Micronic 82 Drill Machine is in Production at CWI!

Chosing a Quick-Turn Proto PCB House