PFC Deploys Orbotech’s Sprint 150 Inkjet Printer

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PFC Flexible Circuits Ltd, a designer, manufacturer and assembler of flexible printed circuits, has acquired an Orbotech Sprint™ 150 digital legend inkjet printer. Orbotech is global innovator of enabling technologies used in the manufacture of the world’s most sophisticated consumer and industrial products throughout the electronics and adjacent industries. PFC is installing this high-quality, high-accuracy, high-performance legend inkjet printer in order to improve its production efficiency and speeds for even the most complex of legend designs. The Sprint 150 will replace PFC’s silkscreen process which is lengthier and requires the development of stencils, alignment of panels and ink rolling. 

PCB and flex circuit manufacturers are required by the IPC to provide both a manufacturer’s mark and an identifier which allows for lot tracing. This “Printing”, also known as legend or nomenclature, defines the text-based, human-readable information that is found on the surface of a rigid or flex circuit board This information can include component reference designators, company logos, component identifiers, switch settings, test points, other instructions, part numbers, revision numbers, etc. 

“We are continually evaluating our manufacturing process to find places to become more efficient and offer additional value to our customers” said Anish Somaiya, Chief Operating Officer at PFC. “Every panel we run through our plant requires some kind of written identifiers. Now, with the Sprint 150, we can provide the traceability that our customers demand while ensuring the highest quality printing at all times.” 

Orbotech’s Sprint 150 takes data input through an on-board computer and prints directly on the flexible panels. Powered by Orbotech’s innovative DotStream Pro Technology™, the high-speed process, which takes less than 1 minute per panel, uses UV cured ink which solidifies instantly thereby ensuring high precision printing faithful to the original CAM design. The Sprint 150 can display very fine text and lines in high accuracy. In addition, the Sprint 150 technology allows part serialization, date codes and bar codes. 

About PFC 

PFC Flexible Circuits Limited designs, manufactures and assembles flexible printed circuits, all under one roof. Circuit types include single- and double-sided, multi-layer and rigid flex. PFC can provide 50 micron line and space in production and assemble circuits using 1005 components. Specialties include high-speed low-loss, impedance-controlled circuits. PFC offers a large library of UL approved materials and is ISO 9001 and 13485 approved. For more information, click here. 

About Orbotech Inc. 

Orbotech Ltd. is a global innovator of enabling technologies used in the manufacture of the world’s most sophisticated consumer and industrial products throughout the electronics and adjacent industries. The Company is a leading provider of yield enhancement and production solutions for electronics reading, writing and connecting, used by manufacturers of printed circuit boards, flat panel displays, advanced packaging, micro-electro-mechanical systems and other electronic components. 

Virtually every electronic device is produced using Orbotech technology. For more information click here.

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