Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Do/Start'
Facing the Future: The Role of 5G and Beyond in Shaping PCB Demand
It’s Only Common Sense: Stop Pitching, Start Listening
LPKF ProtoLaser H4 Accelerates PCB Prototyping
September 12, 2022 | LPKFEstimated reading time: 1 minute
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.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Koh Young Installs 24,000th Inspection System at Top 20 EMS
05/14/2025 | Koh YoungKoh Young, the global leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection and metrology solutions, proudly announces the installation of its 24,000th inspection system at a Top 20 Global EMS in Thailand.
Corning Collaborates with Broadcom to Accelerate AI Data Center Processing Capacity
05/14/2025 | BUSINESS WIRECorning Incorporated, a world leader in glass science and optical physics, today announced a collaboration with Broadcom Incorporated, a leading supplier in the semiconductor field, on a co-packaged optics (CPO) infrastructure that will significantly increase processing capacity within data centers.
Legislative Update: Is the SEMI Investment Act Inclusive of PCB and Substrates?
05/13/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn response to this week's news about new U.S. legislation being put forth by SEMI to support our domestic electronics supply chain—the Strengthening Essential Manufacturing and Industrial (SEMI) Investment Act—IPC’s Richard Capetto, senior director of North American Government Relations, made the following statement.
Breaking Down Barriers: The Connectivity of Machines in SMT Production Lines
05/14/2025 | Bill Cardoso, Creative ElectronAs the world increasingly moves toward erecting trade barriers, we find ourselves in a paradox. Across the globe, the rise in tariffs and protectionist policies is creating a more fragmented global economy, with nations seeking to insulate themselves from external economic pressures. However, within the confines of the SMT production line, the trend is moving in precisely the opposite direction—toward greater connectivity, integration, and collaboration. Rather than isolating one machine from another, SMT production lines are increasingly interconnected, with data being shared across various stages of the process to improve quality, efficiency, and defect detection.
CACI’s Mission-Critical Technology will Accelerate the Delivery of Electronic Warfighting Capabilities to the U.S. Navy’s Existing Fleet
05/13/2025 | CACI International Inc.CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded additional work by the U.S. Navy to procure enhancements to the current fielded Shipboard Information Warfare Exploit system under its existing contract for Spectral, a next-generation shipboard signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), and information operations (IO) weapon system.