The ProtoMat D104 circuit board plotter from German manufacturer LPKF performs mechanical and laser machining in one system, carving circuit tracks out of fully coated base materials by negative contour routing, while an integrated UV laser extends processing to sensitive materials and allows structuring down to an ultra-fine pitch. With a focus size of just 15 µm, the laser can achieve minimum PCB track widths and spaces of 50 µm and 30 µm, respectively.
Circuit board plotters generate complex circuitry on a metal-coated base material through insulation channels. Conductive traces are separated from the base material by insulating channels made using various tools, such as milling and drilling machines. ProtoMat D104 accomplishes these tasks with spindle speeds of up to 100,000 rpm, as many as 15 auto-select tools, and a repeatability of 1 µm.
