-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
Article Highlights
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
An Innovation in Horizontal Processing
July 30, 2013 |Estimated reading time: 1 minute
PCB fabricators have used horizontal roller conveyors to transport copper clad laminate through chemical spray treatment chambers for many years. These simple conveyorised spray processors have evolved over time to accommodate much thinner materials, but the complication of guiding and supporting them through spray jets generally means two types of machine are required; one for thick rigid material and another longer, more complex system for very thin or flexible substrates. More recently this type of equipment has been further adapted to incorporate immersion chambers for plating and other surface treatment processes where spray jets are not suitable. The need to contain the static head above the roller transport system and the relatively long contact times required for immersion processes make these systems even longer and more complex.
This paper describes a non-contact laminar or streamline flow process chamber that results in a faster and more uniform chemical reaction than obtainable with conventional flood chambers. It also describes a transport and guiding method suitable for both thick and thin materials and expands on the mechanics and fluid dynamics that further reduce equipment length and operating cost.
Chemical Process Chamber
In conventional immersion chambers, fluid is pumped from a sump to a dammed roller conveyor chamber. The solution is typically recirculated at a rate of five times the chamber volume per minute through manifolds positioned between conveyor rollers. Transportation is achieved by using roller wheels to avoid excessive masking of the panel being processed. This combination of flooded jet and roller wheel transport results in chaotic turbulent zones within a relatively stagnant bath and variable chemical reaction across the panel.
The fluid engine immersion chambers by contrast provide laminar flow up to 100x the chamber volume per minute or in excess of 11 meters per minute, resulting in faster, more uniform reactions.
The engine comprises two plates closed at each side to form a narrow chamber. Fluid containment rollers, mounted at the entry and exit of the chamber, push and pull both flexible and rigid materials through it. Fluid is injected at the centre of each plate producing a laminar flow towards the entry and exits of the chamber.Read the full article here.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the June 2013 issue of The PCB Magazine.