Kenjis Kaan said:
What exactly are the names of those machines used for making
multilayer PCBs? I am referring to those professional machines
big companies such as IBM, HPs, Lucents etc use to manufacture
PCBs for their goods. How much do these things costs new? used?
Lastly, do they make scaled down version for the average hobbyist
to buy (I know u are all gonna fall on the floor and laugh).
I wonder if you are perhaps thinking of the prototyping systems, like the
lpkf, rather than production machines. Production systems are large,
expensive, and cannot really be 'scaled down'. However many companies do use
prototyping systems to make initial 'one off' (or very limited quantity)
boards. These use processes like mechanical 'milling' of PCB tracks (or in
some up market cases, laser etching), combined with 'plating' processes,
using (for small boards), a vacuum process to deposit powder through the
holes, and then an oven to 'bond' this. There are also lower cost bonding
presses to allow small multi-layer boards to be done. This type of system,
starts at perhaps $5000, with a 'full' system (with automatic tool change,
oven, minature bonding press etc.), running to perhaps $25000. Many of the
companies you name, do use this type of system, but not for 'manufacture'.
Most companies 'farm' the processes out to board houses, or run a complete
house themselves.
Generally, unless you have the need for rapid prototype turnround, and are
producing hundreds of prototypes a year, it is easier/cheaper to just get
the boards made by one of the companies specialising in small runs. It is
also worth (if you are likely to make a reasonable number of boards over
time), looking to establish a good relationship with a local 'board' house.
You can (for instance), use your own CNC drilling machine to drill the holes
in a board, then ask them to plate it. Since this can normally be done by
simply inserting the board 'in between' other jobs, if they know the final
production board will be coming to them, they will often do this 'gratis'.
Then you can etch the board yourself. A similar step, allows the boards to
be laminated for multi-layer.
A full PCB 'setup' for multi-layer boards, would normally involve a
laminator, CNC mill/drill, etching machine, UV exposure system, brushing
machine, guillotine, plating system, bonding press, and oven. That is
ignoring any form of inspection, the air compressors needed etc. etc. Some
sections are produced in 'combined' machines (for instance several
manufacturers produce 'developer/etcher' machines, but there is no 'one
machine' solution I can think of. A small 'desktop' etch machine, will
perhaps run to about $10000. A very small CNC mill, could be purchased for a
few thousand dollars, small guillotine for perhaps $1000, laminator for a
couple of thousand, but the bonding press, would start at perhaps $30000. A
typical 'total', for a _very_ minimal system, would perhaps be $100000,
excluding the building to put it all in (several hundred square feet for the
smallest of systems).
Best Wishes
