Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Fab News

Fab News

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 06 March 2009

TAOYUAN, TAIWAN – Leading PCB fabricator Unimicron will reenter the notebook PCB market through a subsidiary in China. According to Digitimes, Unimicron will invest in a subsidiary located in Hunan, China in order to return to the notebook PCB market. The company, Chuan-Chang (transliterated name), is currently 40% owned by Unimicron.

Digitimes reported that Chuan-Chang plans to start production in April, with a capacity of 600,000 square feet per month. Initial volume production will consist of six- to eight-layer notebook PCBs. The company is planning to increase production output to 1.2 million square feet in the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 06 March 2009

MINNEAPOLIS -- Rudolph Technologies, Inc. has been awarded a favorable verdict in its patent infringement suit against Camtek, Ltd.

A jury determined that all models of Camtek's Falcon inspection system infringe on Rudolph's US patent no. 6,826,298 – “Automated Wafer Defect Inspection System and a Process of Performing Such Inspection.” The patent covers the continuous inspection of wafers using strobing illumination.

The jury rejected Camtek’s claims that the patent was invalid and awarded Rudolph $6.8 million.

Rudolph plans to pursue intellectual property protection for this technology outside the U.S.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 06 March 2009

MIGDAL HA'EMEK, ISRAEL – In the patent infringement case brought by Rudolph Technologies against Camtek, the Court has yet to enter a judgment. The alleged infringement refers only to a U.S. patent and does not have an effect outside of the U.S.

Camtek intends to pursue remedies to overturn or modify the jury's verdict and to oppose or limit the effect of any future injunctive relief. Failing to achieve an overturn or modification, Camtek will appeal the judgment.

“Although we are disappointed by the jury's verdict in this case, we continue to believe that our Falcon products do not infringe on Rudolph's patent and that the patent itself is invalid,” said Rafi Amit, Camtek's CEO.

Details: Written by Staff; Category: Fab News; Published: 05 March 2009

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – First-tier PCB manufacturers in Taiwan are stepping up their game in China. Companies are beefing up their presence in the China market, competing for handset orders from white-box vendors, reports DigiTimes.
Read more ...

HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND – Stevenage Circuits has ordered Orbotech’s Paragon 8800i Laser Direct Imaging (LDI) system.

The 8w laser system is an addition to the company’s DP100 SL solid state laser system and will replace a gas laser system purchased in 1999. Because of the improved capability to 25 um line and space, Stevenage will be able to use standard plating resist, instead of LDI resists.

“With much of our high technology product requiring two or three sequential plate and bond cycles, we recognize the need to have the most accurately placed image at each stage,” said Dougal Stewart, general manager.

By replacing the high energy consuming gas laser, the Paragon 8800i will provide higher resolution and higher throughput while reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – AT&S has launched an online ordering system, providing cost estimates and around-the-clock ordering.

Designed primarily for the European market, the system allows customers to calculate production requirements for PCBs and to place their orders quickly. The initial phase focuses on small batches and prototypes, with the customer service center supporting large-scale orders.

Current and potential customers can access the service at www.ats.net.