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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
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From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
Looking Forward to APEX EXPO 2026
I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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LPKF Joins productronica’s 50th Anniversary, Showcasing Laser Technology for Electronics Manufacturing
October 10, 2025 | LPKF Laser & ElectronicsEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
LPKF Laser & Electronics invites visitors to productronica 2025 in Munich from November 18 to 21. At booth 305 in hall B2, the company will present its portfolio of modern laser technologies for the electronics industry live – from prototyping systems and high-performance depaneling to laser plastic welding for electronic housings and thin glass processing for advanced packaging.
With new technologies, proven processes, and further developed solutions, LPKF once again offers all visitors a comprehensive insight into the diverse application possibilities of laser technology in electronics manufacturing.
"We have been represented at productronica since the early years of our almost 50-year company history. The trade fair offers us the ideal platform to present our innovative laser technologies along the entire electronics value chain to a broad audience," explains Dr. Klaus Fiedler, CEO of LPKF and also advisory board member of productronica.
World premiere: Depaneling systems with Tensor technology
Two new laser depaneling systems for industrial manufacturing take center stage:
- CuttingMaster 2246: Seen live for the first time, the system sets new performance standards with integrated Tensor technology. It supports SMEMA, HERMES, and OPC UA protocols and is prepared for Industry 4.0 environments.
- CuttingMaster 2240 Cx: A fully automated system for cost-effective mass production of rigid printed circuit boards, shown for the first time in the production line of Fraunhofer IZM. The integrated clamping and unloading unit eliminates the need for circulating work carriers.
25 years of ProtoLaser
Another highlight: the 25th anniversary of the ProtoLaser family. Since 2000, it has enabled laser structuring of printed circuit boards combined with mechanical processing, ideal also for thick PCBs and multilayers. Today, the ProtoLaser family processes feature widths down to 15 μm and a broad spectrum of materials – from FR4 to RF substrates, PTFE, polyimide, ceramics and glass, to graphene and ITO-coated glass.
In addition, LPKF presents the Contac S4 and MultiPress S4 for manufacturing multilayers with up to eight layers including galvanic through-hole plating – fast and precise for prototype production in-house.
Laser micromachining as contract manufacturing
Under the LaserMicronics brand, LPKF presents its range of services as a contract manufacturer for precise laser micromachining – from small to large series. Partners benefit from non-contact laser cutting for printed circuit boards as well as precision cutting of micro parts made of stainless steel, nickel, molybdenum, or titanium.
Laser plastic welding: Ideal solutions for electronic housings
LPKF offers laser plastic welding solutions for electronic housings and components for use in demanding or sensitive environments. Two new technologies are particularly in focus:
- ATA technology (Absorbing-To-Absorbing) enables the development and series production of new material combinations thanks to the welding of two absorbing components.
- TherMoPro was developed as a thermographic analysis unit for non-destructive quality control in laser welding. In combination with specially developed software, the system ensures optimized quality assurance – whether as a stand-alone or inline installation.
Goes beyond Advanced Packaging: LIDE® technology
LPKF presents its LIDE® technology (Laser Induced Deep Etching) for micromachining thin glass substrates. These systems enable high-precision structuring of glass specifically for demanding applications in the semiconductor industry, such as through-hole plating, displays, or sensors that will be needed in large quantities in the future. LPKF's LIDE® systems are available both as R&D systems and as high-volume systems.
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Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Driving Innovation: Selecting the Right Laser Source
04/28/2026 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationWhen I first joined Schmoll Maschinen, I brought experience from almost every PCB process, except for laser. As I immersed myself in laser processing, I realized why it can seem so daunting to a newcomer. The complexity arises from three intersecting factors: A vast variety of laser sources: CO2, UV-nano, green-pico, UV-pico, IR-pico, and others; a diverse range of applications: Drilling, cutting, ablation, and more; and an extensive list of materials: These have vastly different absorption rates. Choosing the right machine or laser source is rarely trivial. Even for experienced engineers, answering "Which source is best?" requires examining the business's specific goals.
AI, HDI, and Interconnect Optimization with MKS' ESI
04/23/2026 | Real Time with... APEX EXPOThis discussion revolves around the transformative impact of AI on HDI and substrate manufacturing. Casey Krueger explains the company's "Optimize the Interconnect" initiative, which features Atotech, to provide a comprehensive solution from pretreatment to laser drilling. MKS' ESI offers the innovative Geode G2 platform which is an advanced laser drilling technology that enhances productivity, reduces energy consumption, and addresses complex design challenges in processing both PCB and ICP materials.
Horizon Sales Adds LPKF Laser and Electronics to Its Lineup
04/21/2026 | Horizon SalesHorizon Sales, a leading manufacturers’ representative and distributor to the electronics industry, is pleased to announce a new partnership with LPKF Laser and Electronics, a global leader in precision laser technology
Future-proof Laser Depaneling for PCBs with Photonics
04/10/2026 | Real Time with... APEX EXPOBill Solari of Photonics Systems USA outlines the advantages of laser depaneling for circuit board manufacturing. We learn that this advanced technology addresses rising material costs by increasing panel yield and improving edge quality. This process provides precision, suitability for medical applications, and cost-saving benefits, including the elimination of cleaning steps. There have been significant advancements in laser depaneling, offering a competitive and efficient solution for modern electronics production.
Bold Laser Automation Introduces Precision Laser Cleaning System for Advanced Manufacturing
03/27/2026 | PRNewswireBold Laser Automation, Inc. has introduced the LPCl1820UV Laser Precision Cleaning System, a Class 1, industrial laser platform engineered for high-precision surface cleaning and thin-film removal in demanding manufacturing environments.