LASERS IN ACTION
CHRocodile snaps up hole
Research targets laser
measurement
process for PCBs
sensor system it was possible to
measure both the external hole Researchers are exploring Wimpenny, will develop a
diameters and the depths of the whether laser technology can deposition system based on a
blind vias, simultaneously, in a provide a low-cost, chemical- novel combination of laser
non-contact fashion with high free method of making a key printing and fibre laser
accuracy. component used in electronic consolidation of the deposited
The CHRocodile IT sensor products from microwave ovens material. The project will
system is one of a family of to computers. initially look at laying
instruments available from De Montfort University conductive tracks on the circuit
Precitec Optronik that use the Leicester (UK) academics are boards, but could also be used
chromatic confocal sensor taking part in a research to deposit layers of dielectric or
approach – the optical source project which aims to develop protective materials, solder for
being a broad spectral output a new process for producing connection of devices and also
device. printed circuit boards (PCBs). to print legends on boards. In
As the sensor probe is passive The two-year project, entitled this way, the new process could
– having no power or electrical Laser Printed Electronics, aims provide a ‘one-stop’ solution
connection and at the end of an to provide the UK electronics for the production of PCBs.
Armstrong Optical and its optical fibre that can be 30m in sector with a simple, low-cost, Quartz-TSL, a PCB
supplier Precitec Optronik have length – it is ideal for integration flexible and environmentally- manufacturer based in Merry
recently investigated the into production environments. friendly production method Lees, is coordinating the
measurement of blind vias in The CHRocodile IT system for PCBs. research project, and along with
silicon wafers. The vias were operates at a 4kHz data PCBs are used in most Hartlepool company Flex-
produced by laser drilling and collection rate and has been used electronic devices but the Ability, will be testing the new
had external hole diameters of to perform non-contact current manufacturing process process. The other partner in the
between 15 and 30µm and measurement tasks on silicon requires large amounts of project, MTT, based in Stone,
depths ranging from 50 to and GaAs wafers during grinding liquid chemicals, water and will develop laser sintering
500µm. and on PV cells during energy. The new project is hardware for the system.
By using the CHRocodile IT manufacture. developing a dry printing The two-year project is worth
method that uses no chemicals. £341,426, with £182,346
Fresh produce labelling via laser
The university’s Rapid coming from the Technology
Prototyping and Manufacturing Strategy Board’s High Value
Intense is working with hundred milliwatts. In Group, led by Professor David Manufacturing Call.
Sinclair Systems – a supplier combination with advanced
of fruit labelling equipment, optics, this will allow Sinclair
labels and service – to develop labelling products to print text
Atomic weapons division
a fully-integrated module, and bar code information on
incorporating a high- to fruit labels in a single pass
picks laser parts
performance laser diode array, at high speeds. Britain’s Atomic Weapons analyse 10 long-pulse, 500J,
for use in the labelling of fresh ‘We are delighted to be Establishment (AWE) has nanosecond beam lines. It will
produce. working with Sinclair as a implemented laser metrology and enable users to monitor beam
The laser print-head uses leader in the food labelling adaptive optics systems to quality using HASOv3 software
Intense DLAM technology, industry on the development improve its lasers. and make adjustments as necessary.
incorporating individually of such a cutting edge The two systems, designed by The adaptive optics system will
addressable lasers in an product,’ stated Berthold Imagine Optic and delivered by be used at the end of the
uninterrupted constant pitch Schmidt, VP of product and BFI Optilas, will become an amplification chain for wavefront
‘super-array’. DLAM market development at integral part of the forthcoming correction of two powerful
technology enables the Intense. ‘This product Orion high-power laser. Orion is chirped-pulse amplification
construction of very wide laser demonstrates the unique set to replace the Helen laser, beams that will produce 500J in a
arrays from smaller monolithic ability of Intense to provide which has been in operation since 0.5 picosecond pulse. The system
arrays. Widths of more integrated high power OEM the 1970s, by 2010. combines two of Imagine Optic’s
than two inches are possible, solutions based on our The metrology system is HASO 32 wavefront sensors and
where each channel is capable individually addressable laser unique in that it will use 10 CASAO software with two
of delivering powers of several array QWI technology.’ HASO 32 wavefront sensors to monomorph deformable mirrors,
simultaneously measure and manufactured by CILAS.
4 LASER SYSTEMS EUROPE • issue 2 www.lasersystemseurope.com
LSEspr09 pp04-07 News.indd 4 3/3/09 10:41:52
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