Including: Polyester & Polyimide (Kapton)

Flexible circuits include flat flexible cables, flexible printed circuits and rigid-flex assemblies that are constructed of Copper conductors laminated between layers of flexible dielectric material. The most common dielectric materials used for flexible circuits are Polyimide and Polyester.

 

 

THE BEAM DIFFERENCE

Lasers are becoming increasingly necessary in this industry as parts become more complex and circuit densities increase. Additionally, Copper does not absorb the light energy wavelength used by CO₂ lasers. This means Beam Dynamics laser systems are perfect for Polyimide or Polyester stripping in the manufacture and finishing of flexible circuits.

Polyimide, also known by its DuPont brand name as Kapton, is more expensive than polyester, but is often chosen because of its excellent thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical properties. Beam Dynamics flex circuit cutting systems utilize lasers at a wavelength 3 times the energy of the standard laser. The higher energy absorption results in quicker vaporization of the material and smaller Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) damage, which greatly minimizes the charring that normally occurs when laser cutting Kapton.

The manufacturing process used to create flexible circuits involves sandwiching circuit assemblies between sheet materials in a heated platen press. The process can result in some float and movement of parts. For this reason, most Beam Dynamics flexible circuit customers will select to use our machine vision system to identify and register individual circuit structures before depanelization.

 

A BEAM laser cutting system is an important tool for cutting flexible circuits for many reasons, including:

• Extremely low operating costs: The machine costs less than $1/hour to run and maintain.
• Zero tool load: Clamping, complex, or dangerous holding methods are not required when cutting with a weightless beam of light. This is also very helpful when cutting small parts.
• The small tool cut width (kerf of .006") enables the cutting of any shape that can be drawn.
• Power control: The system monitors the actual cutting speed and dynamically adjusts laser power as the speed changes to maintain consistent cut quality.
• Auto Focus: A sensor automatically measures the material thickness and sets the focus appropriately so you don't have to do it by hand.

 

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Want to learn more about how a BEAM machine can meet your cutting needs? Contact a Sales Representative at 650-654-4453 or via email.