Taking printing to the board: every now and then a technology can shake up production methods, and this time inkjet printing has impacted on PCB manufacturing. Giles Branthwaite shows how business partnerships were created only 10 months after the development programme was started. (Radiation Curing).

Inkjet technology is no longer just what you have at one side of your desk--a low cost PC-linked printer to generate hard copies for consumers or small business. Within the last three to five years, both inkjet printheads and inks have evolved to enable applications in many more industrial print-based

Printheads are now faster, larger, more robust and reliable and capable of firing a wider range of inks. In parallel, inks have been developed to match specific needs across many markets. They no longer have to be water-based. Solvent, oil and UV-based inks are now available and applied to meet differing substrate/application needs.

Through combination of the two advancements, inkjet is now able to address many different applications. These include commercial printing--journals, magazines, books, statements, packaging, graphic arts, security printing and electronics.

With the enabling technologies of printheads and inks residing with different companies--and with these companies tending not to have the engineering integration skills for developing the printer/presses--close collaborations are essential for successful inkjet developments.

TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS

Clearly, close technology partnerships must be developed and maintained with the enablers and relationships must equally be forged with companies having the integration skills required to develop machines for the target market segment. This is also crucial to provide name recognition and a known channel to the particular market.

Matching cultures, and agreeing roles and timeframes between partners are obviously important. But absolutely critical is the sharing of a common vision. And for those entering collaborations from outside the target industry an understanding of the market (and the benefits inkjet can bring) prior to getting involved is also essential.

If the market insider is driving the inclusion of the 'inkjet technology enabler' company, this market understanding step can be simplified and accelerated. However, this is often not the case.

Frequently, it is the inkjet-familiar company that spots the potential and then has to explore the marketplace for a meaningful understanding before approaching any industry-insider. This will be a crucial step if the project is to advance. Avecia's entry into the PCB market with inkjet printable etch resist and soldermask fluids using its Jetrack technology are an excellent example of the latter.