New process throws more copper onboard

Speedboard has further increased the effectiveness and quality of its pattern plating capability with the installation of new copper plating chemistry at its Windsor facility.

Speedboard has further increased the effectiveness and quality of its pattern plating capability with the installation of new copper plating chemistry at its Windsor facility.

The improvements, made with the assistance of MacDermid and Fabtech, are part of the progressive EMS supplier's ongoing investment programme in all areas of its manufacturing processes.

HiSpec2 chemistry has been installed in all four of Speedboard's 3000-litre copper plating tanks in response to the increasing demands being placed on the copper plating process as a result of more technologically advanced board designs.

In conjunction with the new chemistry, the company has completed modifications that include top and bottom anode shielding, automated dosing and newly configured air sparges.

The upgrades bring Speedboard's copper plating facility in line with the most advanced, fully automated technology in the industry.

"One of the biggest challenges when pattern plating is striking a balance between the amount of time the panel has to be in the tanks and the amount of copper you can 'throw' down the holes", says Managing Director Richard Watson.

"One of the major features of HiSpec2 is its throwing power, which is twice that of conventional acid copper baths.

Along with the tank modifications, HiSpec2 has increased our ability to plate higher technology panels without having to pass jobs via a Production Engineer.

Aspect ratios of 9:1 have already been proven at our standard plating rate of 20ASF and, not only do we now have one of the largest automated plating lines in the industry, but we also have one of the most technically capable".

The result of the improvements include: the elimination of dog boning with exceptional levelling within the hole, excellent thermal shock resistance and a wide operating window.

In addition, superior plating distribution is achieved across the flight bar, guaranteeing both consistency and quality.

Back to top