INDUSTRY Q&A


Bench 2 Bench’s IraRosenberg


Electronics Today speaks with Ira Rosenberg, Operations Manager to find out more about Bench 2 Bench and what it provides to its customers


CA, Bench 2 Bench is part of a three-plant organisation that specialises in providing a variety of printed circuit board solutions to a broad customer base. The company provides ultra-high density interconnect (UHDI) flexible circuits, and is built around the idea that custom, UHDI flex circuits require special expertise and handling, unique engineering considerations using a variety ofmaterials, and a close working relationship between customer and provider. This is what Ira Rosenberg, operations manager, had to say.


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What’s Bench 2 Bench’s background?What industry needswas it designed tomeet? Bench 2 Bench was created in 2008 tomeet the needs of the medical device industry, specifically, ultrasound transducers FPCs and other related flexible printed circuits.


This yearmarks the


reated in 2008 and headquartered in Fullerton,


company’s 10-year anniversary. Howhas the company changed over the past decade? We have gone froma 13man, less than $1million a year organisation to a 40man, $8 million a yearmajor player in the ultrasound/medical Device arena.We are proud to say that we are now one of the top suppliers to the best-selling producers of ultrasound transducers in the industry.


Howdoes having Winonics asa sistercompanybenefit Bench 2 Bench? Does itmakeBench 2 Benchastrongercompany? Why? The re-joining of the two companies definitely makes Bench 2 Bench and Winonics/ACT stronger. Both organisations can bounce off of each other in regard to backup and support in many areas including but not limited to front end engineering, IT, maintenance, process support, and backup for many production operations.


Earlier you mentioned UHDIs. Howare they different from HDIs?


High-density interconnects (HDIs) typically are rigid boards with line/space definitions down to the 2-3 mil (50-75µm) level, where UHDI flexible FPCs generally are (line/space) 1-2 mil (25-50µm level). Most of the product we make is in the 1-2 mil range.


Whydo UHDIs require special expertiseandhandling?What makesthemunique? The thin material is subject to damage in all areas of processing. Additionally, the fine lines make it a major challenge for the typical rigid or flex board shop who are not used to the special handling and cleanliness required during the process.


You also mentioned that ultra- thin materialsandfine features meanmorereal estate on the flexible circuit.Canyou explain more? Simply put, the customer is able to put more circuitry into a smaller area. The advantage is that there are fewer raw materials required to make the circuit as you can put more parts within a production panel. This can lead to an overall lower cost. The initial cost is higher, but the long-term reliability and quality gives the customer positive payback. It sounds like Bench 2 Bench’s


flex circuits have the most application in the medical device manufacturing industry, especially since quality is beyond important and customers are understandably demanding.


Howdoes thecompanymeet customers’ needs, especially for traceability?


We operate our QMS system under strict ISO-AS9100 guidelines. Under these guidelines we have complete traceability of the entire process and its relatedmaterials.


Besidesmedicaldevice manufacturing,are there additionalmarkets thatBench 2Benchtechnologybenefits? We are capable of doing a variety of flexible printed circuits and have done parts for general commercial and aerospace applications under our AS9100 certification.


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What typesoffinishesand value-addedservicesdoes Bench2Benchprovide? For final finish, we offer: Electrolytic Ni-Au, Electrolytic Ni, ElectrolyticMatte or Brite Tin, ENiG (Electroless Nickel/Immersion Gold), EPiG (Electroless Palladium/Immersion Gold), Immersion Silver, ISiG (Immersion Silver/Immersion Gold). In regard to added value, we


offer component hand or SMT soldering services.


Whatwouldyoumost like the industrytoknowaboutBench2 Benchtoday? That we exist, and we are growing and expanding our capabilities with the support of the new ownership.Most people know of Bench 2 Bench through word ofmouth. New ownership has committed


an initial investment approaching $2 million including funding for marketing efforts. Our team is excited to take advantage of what this will do for customers, the organisation and our capabilities going into the future.


Bench 2 Bench www.bench2bench.com


SEPTEMBER 2021 | ELECTRONICS TODAY 35


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