Limata’s innovative LUVIR technology accelerates PCB solder mask mass production process
Limata, a professional LDI equipment manufacturer, has officially released its unique, market-proven LUVIR technology® for all X series products. This unique LDI technology can significantly increase the imaging speed of solder mask ink while reducing equipment maintenance costs.
Innovative technology reduces the energy of UV light required for imaging and increases imaging speed.
In the PCB manufacturing process, the imaging quality of solder mask ink has been challenged by the ever-increasing requirements for alignment accuracy and imaging accuracy. Compared with dry film imaging, imaging with solder mask ink requires higher UV energy. Therefore, the multi-wavelength DI solutions on the market (multiple wavelengths corresponding to the UV light band) are too slow for high output requirements, and the cost for manufacturers is also higher (more imaging units or more machines are required).
To address this challenge, Limata has developed a new imaging solution that combines infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) solder mask inks
. This solution can shorten imaging time, increase throughput, and provide the highest standard image quality solution for all traditional ink imaging. “Compared with the LED/DMD solution which requires 400 to 1,000mJ/cm2 of UV energy, with LUVIR technology, only 100 to 250mJ/cm2 of UV laser energy can be used to achieve the same imaging effect without affecting the solder mask surface quality. Resolution and accuracy. “Matthias Nagel, chief technology officer of Limata, said, “The use of IR light allows us to reduce the use of UV lasers, thereby reducing the cost of equipment compared to other DI solder mask imaging systems on the market. Limata offers excellent value for money.”
Limata’s innovative LUVIR® technology accelerates PCB solder mask mass production process
Outstanding image quality with all conventional inks
The highly efficient and high-throughput LUVIR® technology works with all conventional inks, including ink types and colors (e.g. green, blue, black and white). This prevents PCB manufacturers from switching to more expensive DI-specific inks. This change in ink material increases the cost of the ink itself as well as the certification and time costs of the new ink production process. In addition, LUVIR can support digital direct imaging of solder mask thicknesses from 4 mil (100 µm) to 6 mil (150 µm) without obvious undercut. At the same speed and yield, this is impossible to achieve with multi-wavelength DMD/LED imaging solutions.
Lower production costs, lower equipment maintenance costs
Judging from the production data collected on site, compared with other DI systems, for traditional ink digital imaging processes, the use of LUVIR® technology can reduce the cost of digital imaging processes by up to 40% each time. The UV/IR module using a completely self-developed automatic remote laser calibration function reduces maintenance requirements and reduces after-sales maintenance costs. This avoids manufacturers purchasing expensive long-term after-sales service agreements during the equipment production cycle.
Equipped with four UV/IR imaging units, the LIMATA X2000 series can be used in applications with high throughput requirements. At the same time, LIMATA also provides the compact X1000 series, which can quickly transfer from the mask/film process to laser direct imaging at a lower cost.
LIMATA’s UVIR® technology won the 2019 Productronica Innovation Award in the Printed Circuit Board and Electronic Manufacturing Services Segment (PCB & EMS Cluster). This technology is equipped on all LIMATA’s X series products to meet the needs of PCB customers in different markets and regions. All X series products also support digital direct imaging of dry films, which can reach 1mil (25µm) line width and line spacing.