MKS has many solutions to help meet the current and future flexible printed circuit board manufacturing challenges.
The first challenge that often comes to mind is maximizing throughput and yield. MKS offers UV and green short-pulsed lasers, including high power lasers with pulse control, that can be used for singulation or depaneling, coverlay patterning, and drilling both blind via holes and through-vias. We believe that UV lasers are superior to longer-wavelength CO2 lasers for FPC processing. To ensure that the laser system is performing optimally, MKS offers fast laser measurement and profiling instruments. To manage the high power lasers, MKS also provides high power/high fluence optics for optimal results. And to position components for a process quickly and accurately, MKS can provide high-speed, high-precision motorized positioners.
Another challenge is to improve the quality and reliability of FPCs. Our nanosecond and ultrafast lasers can provide the cleanest cuts and drills with the least amount of thermal and other damage, leading to higher quality and reliability. Additionally, MKS' optical mounts are very robust and stable, so that laser performance will not decline easily over time.
As flexible circuit boards are becoming more and more miniaturized, drilling vias, depaneling and coverlay patterning all become more challenging. The smaller beam spot sizes enabled by the short wavelengths of UV lasers that MKS provides can meet the smaller dimensional requirements presented by miniaturized FPCs.
Challenges in Flex Circuit Manufacturing |
MKS Solutions |
Maximizing throughput & yield |
UV short-pulsed lasers for high speed, yield and precision micromachining
Fast, high power laser measurement and profiling
High power/high fluence optics to manage the lasers
High speed and precision motorized positioners |
Improving quality and reliability |
Nanosecond and ultrafast lasers for highest quality micromachining
Robust, stable optical mounts |
Miniaturization of FPCs |
UV lasers for smaller beam spot sizes |
- 50+ years and thousands of alignment systems for optical applications
- Long-term partner to semiconductor manufacturing companies
- Full range of products: lasers, optics, motion, opto-mechanics, beam analysis
- Custom capabilities
- Product availability
- Ability to scale with you
- Global corporation and presence

Lasers |

Beam Analysis |

Motion Control |

Opto-Mechanics |
- UV and green lasers
- Nanosecond and ultrafast lasers
- DPSS Q-switched lasers
|
- High power laser thermal sensors
- High power beam profilers
- Laser power/energy meters
|
- Full range of motorized stages
- Motion controllers
- Manual Positioners
- Custom assemblies
|
- High-energy Optics
- UV, visible and IR optics
- CO2 lenses
- Mirror mounts
- Lens positioners
|
- Application Requirements
- Function
- Type of Material & Thickness
- Speed
- Resulting Size of Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)\
- Laser Specifications
- Wavelength
- Power
- Pulse Width & Repetition Rate
- Stability
- MKS Laser Applications in FPC
- Hole and via drilling
- Singulation (depaneling)
- Coverlay patterning
|

Talon |

Talon Ace |

IceFyre |
Wavelengths |
UV or Green |
UV |
UV |
Power |
UV: Up to >45 W
Green: Up to >70 W |
>100 W |
Up to >50 W |
Pulse Width |
UV: <25 or 40 ns
Green: <25 or 43 ns |
<2 to >50 ns |
<12 ps (10 ps typical) |
Repetition Rates |
0 to 500 kHz |
Single shot to 5 MHz |
Single Shot to 10 MHz |
Max Pulse Energy |
UV: Up to >500 µJ
Green: Up to 1000 µJ |
Up to >500 µJ |
Up to >60 µJ |
Other Features |
Laser/controller in single, compact package
24/7 industrial reliability
E-Pulse™ technology for superb stability |
24/7 industrial reliability
TimeShift™ technology for pulse control
Laser/controller in single, compact package |
24/7 industrial reliability
TimeShift™ technology for pulse control Laser/controller in single, compact package |
Presented here is a summary of recommended lasers for various flexible PCB manufacturing applications. Please use this as a reference guide only, and always contact us to discuss your application and requirements in detail so that we may provide the best solution for you.