Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: 'A View from the Top: Moving from Success to Significance'
The Chemical Connection: The Practice of Doing Business in Foreign Lands
It’s Only Common Sense: Pricing PCBs? It’s All in Their Heads
Integrating Uniplate PLBCu6 With the Digital Factory Suite
September 12, 2025 | Giovanni Obino and Andreas Schatz, MKS' AtotechEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Printed circuit board manufacturing is rapidly changing, driven by miniaturization, stringent reliability requirements, and growing pressure for sustainable production. Meeting these challenges requires more than incremental improvements; it demands a combination of precise equipment and real-time process intelligence. The pairing of Uniplate® PLBCu6 with the Digital Factory Suite (DFS) demonstrates how hardware and software can work together to create more responsive, resource-efficient manufacturing.
Rising Complexity and Sustainability Pressures
Modern PCB and HDI manufacturing pushes technical boundaries with finer design features, tighter tolerances, and complex layer structures. At the same time, environmental regulations are forcing manufacturers to reduce chemical usage, manage waste, and minimize energy consumption. Many traditional automation systems, built on programmable logic controllers and disconnected MES platforms, are not designed to handle this level of adaptability. Their lack of real-time responsiveness and closed-loop control leaves performance gains and efficiency improvements untapped.
A more connected approach—linking precision plating processes with intelligent digital monitoring—offers a path to overcoming these challenges.
Precision Inline Metallization
The Uniplate PLBCu6 is designed for high-density, high-reliability PCB production using a modified semi-additive processes (mSAP). It runs a fully inline process that moves panels seamlessly from desmear through to flash copper plating. This design reduces manual handling, limits contamination risks, and keeps throughput consistent.
Its transport system supports ultra-thin panels, essential for next-generation fine-line designs. A carefully engineered fluid delivery system ensures even treatment across surfaces, vias, and through-holes, while advanced filtration and cleaning mechanisms minimize particle buildup.
To continue reading this article, which originally appeared in the August 2025 edition of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
TriLite Appoints Mario Spiegl as CEO to Drive Next Phase of Growth
09/24/2025 | TriLiteTriLite, the world’s leading provider of laser beam scanner (LBS) display technology for augmented reality (AR) and automotive applications, announced that Mario Spiegl will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2025.
Marcy’s Musings: Advancing the Advanced Materials Discussion
09/17/2025 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsAs the industry’s most trusted global source of original content about the electronics supply chain, we continually ask you about your concerns, what you care about, and what you most want to learn about. Your responses are insightful and valuable. Thank you for caring enough to provide useful feedback and engage in dialogue.
It’s Only Common Sense: Storytelling That Sells—Stop Pitching, Start Painting Pictures
09/15/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseLet me tell you something that most salespeople — even the ones flashing Rolexes and bragging about crushing their quotas—still haven’t figured out: Facts don’t close deals, stories do. People file away facts while they feel stories. Facts tickle the brain, but stories punch the heart, and it’s the heart that signs the check every time.
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Still Broke: Walmart’s Remarkable Transformation'
09/11/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: Dan's Biz BookshelfRick Wartzman’s Still Broke: Walmart’s Remarkable Transformation and the Limits of Socially Conscious Capitalism is both a wake-up call and a mirror—showing us things we might not want to admit. He doesn’t come out swinging with anti-corporate rage or idealistic fluff. No, he does something more powerful. He tells the plain, honest, uncomfortable truth, and those with a stake in business, leadership, or the American economy should read this book.
RealSense, NVIDIA Collaborate to Usher in the Age of Physical AI
08/26/2025 | BUSINESS WIRERealSense, Inc., the global leader in robotic perception, today announced a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to accelerate the adoption and capabilities of physical AI across humanoids and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).