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MKS Introduces ESI Geode A CO2 Laser System for High Precision and High-Speed ABF IC Substrate Manufacturing
May 31, 2023 | MKS Instruments, Inc.Estimated reading time: 1 minute

MKS Instruments, Inc., a global provider of technologies that transform our world, announced the official launch of the ESI Geode® A laser drill system today, a new configuration of the Geode® platform designed explicitly for drilling vias in the non-copper-clad ABF substrate market.
The Geode® A laser drilling system provides processing and application solutions for the FCBGA package substrate market, components which provide critical building blocks for everyday electronic devices and, in particular, high-performance computing. FCBGA substrates help enable supercomputing, artificial intelligence processing, autonomous cars, and other highly complex semiconductor modules.
“Manufacturers are under increased market pressure to deliver components that meet the precise demands of miniaturization and complexity required for advanced substrate manufacturing. At MKS, we are keenly focused on delivering the advanced technology needed for our customers to deliver next-generation productivity and quality,” said John Williams, MKS Vice President and General Manager of the ESI business. “In addition, the Geode® A laser drill is engineered as an integral component to the MKS Optimize the Interconnect SM solution, combining ESI laser drilling technologies with Atotech chemistry and plating equipment to provide customers with a full package of via formation technologies required to deliver optimal quality with the highest productivity for PCB and package substrate products.”
The Geode® A laser drilling system combines an innovative laser and optics configuration with precision pulse-shaping and beam-steering designed for ABF materials. These engineering innovations deliver the lowest cost of ownership and a greener manufacturing solution through 21% less floor space utilization, 72% less weight, and up to 65% less power consumption than the competition.
The Geode® A laser drilling system is available for purchase. More details can be found at www.esi.com, and system experts will be available at the JPCA 2023, Tokyo, Japan, May 31-June 2 in booth 6B-11.
Suggested Items
RF PCB Design Tips and Tricks
05/08/2025 | Cherie Litson, EPTAC MIT CID/CID+There are many great books, videos, and information online about designing PCBs for RF circuits. A few of my favorite RF sources are Hans Rosenberg, Stephen Chavez, and Rick Hartley, but there are many more. These PCB design engineers have a very good perspective on what it takes to take an RF design from schematic concept to PCB layout.
Trouble in Your Tank: Causes of Plating Voids, Pre-electroless Copper
05/09/2025 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankIn the business of printed circuit fabrication, yield-reducing and costly defects can easily catch even the most seasoned engineers and production personnel off guard. In this month’s column, I’ll investigate copper plating voids with their genesis in the pre-plating process steps.
Elephantech: For a Greener Tomorrow
04/16/2025 | Marcy LaRont, PCB007 MagazineNobuhiko Okamoto is the global sales and marketing manager for Elephantech Inc., a Japanese startup with a vision to make electronics more sustainable. The company is developing a metal inkjet technology that can print directly on the substrate and then give it a copper thickness by plating. In this interview, he discusses this novel technology's environmental advantages, as well as its potential benefits for the PCB manufacturing and semiconductor packaging segments.
Trouble in Your Tank: Organic Addition Agents in Electrolytic Copper Plating
04/15/2025 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankThere are numerous factors at play in the science of electroplating or, as most often called, electrolytic plating. One critical element is the use of organic addition agents and their role in copper plating. The function and use of these chemical compounds will be explored in more detail.
IDTechEx Highlights Recyclable Materials for PCBs
04/10/2025 | IDTechExConventional printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing is wasteful, harmful to the environment and energy intensive. This can be mitigated by the implementation of new recyclable materials and technologies, which have the potential to revolutionize electronics manufacturing.