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Then, of course, the hot topic today is our direct imager, the EDI500. This is where we come from with our imaging knowledge and raster image processing. It’s also an interesting story when you hear people talking about the 80–20 ratio, where many players are happy with the first 80%; we are focusing on the remaining 20%, which is the most important.
For file management we rely on our 30+ years of history in raster image processing and data management. For the whole imaging process we focus on how to bring these very sharp edges or lines onto the solder mask or etch resists.
The technological reason why we kept the UV lamp is simply because when you are a pure engineer and look at the LEDs, it’s very nice, but you have only one wavelength at a time. You see the guy starting with only one or two LEDs, but must now implement at least four LED types, simply because you need to have certain wavelengths. You need to have from 360–365 up to 420 nm. Otherwise, you need to have a specific dry film for LDI. Actually our target of customer is in SMEs. They don’t necessarily want to change their qualified process or validated chemistry.
Matties: This gives them a broad range.
Stoeckli: They have a broad UV range so they can keep their current established dry film or solder mask and there’s no need to change everything. You just put the panel into the machine and it exposes. It’s all about having operator-friendly equipment.
Also for the user interface, and this is the interesting point when you have partners such as CCI, some customers bring back a lot of valuable information. They might say, “You know what? This customer‘s operators do not have the highest skills as CAM operators. So they would like something that is much easier for them to avoid mistakes.” And we improve our software accordingly.
We have software where the CAM operator is preparing everything, sends the data to the machine queues, and then the operator simply scans the barcode—or in some cases the equipment does it alone, and it knows automatically the whole setting of the machine. The operator just puts the panel in, and the rest is done automatically. On top of that it is very easy to maintain. For this machine, we have yearly maintenance taking only one day maximum out of production, so no complicated adjustments. With a single head, we are not as fast as the other guys, but we are extremely flexible, simple and cost affordable.
This is the kind of equipment where SMEs can have access to the EIE technology, which is state-of-the-art. We wanted to get the best technology available today at a competitive price. We looked at the latest technology in use, DMD technology, and we looked at what is needed most. Is it specific dry films or a specific solder mask? It’s neither. We take an established UV light source, put it together with our knowledge of raster image processing, and with the software this machine benefits from our 25–30 years of development in the Gerber, DPF, ODB++, etc.
Lightfoot: The EDI 500 is very flexible and operates from a proven software platform. Just to emphasize the fact, with the EDI500 it is the same software platform that’s been so well established for more than 30 years within the range of First EIE photoplotters. This track record is an added assurance for the user. It might be a new machine in the market, but it’s not a new software system.
Matties: It’s not a new company entering the market, as well. There are many years of experience behind it.
Stoeckli: Yes, and the other important point is continuous improvement. For this we have to listen carefully to our customers’ real life expectations and requirements. If something is changing or a customer asks us to do something specific with the file format or user interface, like the language, we are able to do it because it’s our own developed software. We are continuously improving our software based on the current market situation; when you buy software from the outside, what do you do?
Another important point, we use the same software platform along all our equipment such as the photoplotter, and there are currently 800 of those installed worldwide. We have got a good global installation base. When they want to change between a photoplotter to the DI machine, it’s the same environment. They feel like they’re at home, comfortable and it’s not a disruptive change for them. This is really a great advantage.
We have had many customers who bought the plotter come back and say they want either the direct imager or the new printer, based on our long-lasting experience and proven reliability. This is why I’m very happy at the show because first of all, you see the customers in another environment, more relaxed and very enthusiastic about our new equipment offering with the EDI500 and CP562. The customers have come by and they are extremely confident with the equipment. It’s been a very good show.
Matties: You mentioned the price point being lower. How much lower? Is it 2%? Or 20%?
Stoeckli: No, we are talking about 20%. It’s significant. We just launched and we already have three in Japan and are starting to be quite active in Europe as well. Europe is our closest market and it looks very promising. The support and installation is also very effective. We just sent someone to do an installation. The EDI500 arrived on Monday, installation and qualification were made within the same day, and the next day was training. By that afternoon production staff were working.
Lightfoot: No special environmental or clean-room conditions were needed; basically just a dry air supply and a 240-volt domestic power supply. The system also has its own active internal cooling, without water or external chiller.Page 2 of 3
