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LPKF ProtoLaser H4 Accelerates PCB Prototyping
September 12, 2022 | LPKFEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The ProtoLaser H4 has more than 45 years of experience in the mechanical processing of printed circuit boards and more than 30 years in laser processing. This experience is combined in the hardware and the LPKF CircuitPro system software included in the package. “The goal was a compact table-top system that would also convince the most demanding developers of electronics on different substrates. And it works,” says Lars Führmann, Sales Director LPKF DevelopmentQuipment with satisfaction. The new ProtoLaser is built on a granite base, has a powerful laser and a mechanical processing head that is operated independently from a tool magazine. During operation, laser safety class 1 applies - no special precautions are required.
With new tools, the production processes also change. With the ProtoLaser H4, the laser takes over the entire structuring of the fully coated circuit board materials. In this way, track/gap of 100 µm/50 µm can be reliably achieved. The drilling and cutting out of the circuit board or large breakthroughs is reserved for the mechanical tools. The ProtoLaser H4 integrates the tried-and-tested circuit board plotter into an innovative, high-precision system for laser micro-material processing.
A camera recognizes the exact position of the circuit board on the work table. This is how precise structuring of two-layer PCBs and single layers of multi-layers PCBs is possible. Flexible materials or foils are held securely in position with the integrated vacuum table.
The hardware achieves full performance with the easy-to-use system software. LPKF CircuitPro RP controls the entire production process - even for users without special expertise. Extensive libraries with material parameters, process flows for many common applications, a simple user interface and predefined laser tools simplify project planning. After loading the layout file, the software guides the user step by step through the production process. In-house prototyping significantly reduces the times of the individual design loops and is also suitable for small series.
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