It is a very interesting article until I get to this statement:
"The complete system comes in under $25,000."
For corporate use though, it isn't a bad price.
On Wed, 6 Apr 2005, Norm Stewart wrote:
>
> Exerpt from an article in Electronic Design - maybe the epoxy is
> available without the other paraphanelia. I haven't looked into it -
> just got the e-mail article this morning. (the foil mentioned appears
> to be just a mask to keep the epoxy restricted to the desired holes).
> For the complete article:
>
> www.elecdesign.com/Articles/Index.cfm?AD=1&ArticleID=9984
>
>
> Norm
>
> PLATED THROUGH HOLES
> The ProConduct system is designed to create plated through holes without
> resorting to electroplating. The approach starts by applying an adhesive
> foil to both sides of a board and then drilling the holes that will be
> plated /(Fig. 4
> <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_04.gif>)/. Application
> of a conductive epoxy paste follows in a method of placing the board on
> a vacuum table, applying the paste, and pressing it through the holes
> /(Fig. 5 <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_05.jpg>)/. This
> occurs for both sides of the board. After that, the foil on both sides
> is removed /(Fig. 6
> <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_06.jpg>). /
>
> Next, the board is placed in an oven for about half an hour /(Fig. 7
> <http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/9984/Figure_07.jpg>)/. At this
> point, the board can be populated. The conductivity of hole plating is
> nearly as good as the electroplated approach, and ProConduct is
> significantly cleaner and easier to use. Typical resistance is 20 to 60
> m(omega). The minimum size hole is 0.3 mm.
>
> Plated through holes for multilayer boards are done in the same fashion
> as double-layer boards. However, the layers are stacked before the
> adhesive foil is applied.
>
> LPKF Laser and Electronics
> /∗www.lpkfusa.com∗/
>
>
>