Emerging technologies

Abstract

Developing a new technology usually takes longer than expected. Two essential needs along this activity are funding and persistence. The people at Polyscan are limited in the former and unlimited in the latter. Ten years ago, PCB manufacturers were weary of the costs and handling problems involved with film. Laser direct imaging came as an answer. However, companies turned down LDI, saying it is slow and costly. Still Polyscan stuck with LDI because of LDI's potential benefits. Today, Polyscan can laser image a 24″ × 18″ panel with 0.003″ lines in 25, as against one minute with 0.006″ lines six years ago. They are faster than contact printers, and soon they will be able to image a fine-line panel in 15 seconds.