Rainbow technology ready to revolutionise printed circuit board manufacture

Citation

(2012), "Rainbow technology ready to revolutionise printed circuit board manufacture", Circuit World, Vol. 38 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.2012.21738baa.001

Rainbow technology ready to revolutionise printed circuit board manufacture

Article Type: Industry news From: Circuit World, Volume 38, Issue 2

Printed Circuit Board production is set to be revolutionised by an innovation from technology firm Rainbow Technology Systems. The Rainbow Process represents a breakthrough for the electronics industry by incorporating coating, imaging and developing of PCBs in one compact, automated unit which promises to make board production faster, easier and more profitable. The completely self-contained unit takes up only 12 m² of floor space and does not require a clean room environment. The process is automatic requiring minimal operator intervention and is capable of delivering a double sided panel every 15-20 s ready for etching.

Key to the success of the Rainbow Process is the proprietary etch wet resist which does not require pre-drying (using a curing oven) before imaging. The resist is 100 per cent solids and solvent free. Using only UV LEDs and standard photo-tools tracks and gaps of 20 μm and below are easily achieved. The unit has very low running costs with power consumption averaging 3 kW.

The technology behind the Rainbow Process is the brainchild of chief executive and founder Jonathan Kennett who set up Rainbow Technology Systems in 2005 to develop fine line printing technologies for the PCB market. Jonathan pioneered the development of contact cleaning technology for the electronics and high-tech sectors 25 years ago when he founded Teknek which has become the global leader in contact cleaning and yield improvement equipment. Other founder members of the senior management team include John Cunningham (Chief Chemist) and Robert Gibson (Chief Mechanical Designer).

Jonathan commented: “Until now the only way to produce fine line PCBs (typically 50 microns and under) was to use expensive Laser Direct Imaging equipment. We are offering the industry an alternative which is less expensive, greener and more efficient. Other target markets for the technology include touchscreens, flat panel displays, chemical milling and chemical machining.”

He added: “We have assembled a team of engineers, technicians and chemists who are experts in their respective fields to develop the Rainbow Process and we are launching a number of other exciting new products for the electronics and other sectors in the coming months.”

For further information, please visit: www.rainbow-technology.com or call +44(0)141 892 3320.