Photoplotter: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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The first photoplotter was introduced by the [[Gerber Scientific|Gerber Scientific Inc.]] in the 1960s.<ref name="Gerber2015">{{cite book|author=David J. Gerber|title=The Inventor's Dilemma: The Remarkable Life of H. Joseph Gerber|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8YKqCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA167|year=2015|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-12350-0|pages=167–}}</ref><ref name="Schroeder1998">{{cite book|author=Chris Schroeder|title=Printed Circuit Board Design Using AutoCAD|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t0fPJOGYaasC&pg=PA17|year=1998|publisher=Newnes|isbn=978-0-7506-9834-4}}</ref>{{rp|17-}} Early machines used a [[xenon flash lamp]], and projected an image mounted in a rotating ''aperture wheel'' onto the photosensitive surface of the film or glass plate.<ref name="Mitzner2009">{{cite book|author=Kraig Mitzner|title=Complete PCB Design Using OrCAD Capture and PCB Editor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z7RCh8bK6_8C&pg=PA54|date=28 May 2009|publisher=Newnes|isbn=978-0-08-094354-1 |
The first photoplotter was introduced by the [[Gerber Scientific|Gerber Scientific Inc.]] in the 1960s.<ref name="Gerber2015">{{cite book|author=David J. Gerber|title=The Inventor's Dilemma: The Remarkable Life of H. Joseph Gerber|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8YKqCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA167|year=2015|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-12350-0|pages=167–}}</ref><ref name="Schroeder1998">{{cite book|author=Chris Schroeder|title=Printed Circuit Board Design Using AutoCAD|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t0fPJOGYaasC&pg=PA17|year=1998|publisher=Newnes|isbn=978-0-7506-9834-4}}</ref>{{rp|17-}} Early machines used a [[xenon flash lamp]], and projected an image mounted in a rotating ''aperture wheel'' onto the photosensitive surface of the film or glass plate.<ref name="Mitzner2009">{{cite book|author=Kraig Mitzner|title=Complete PCB Design Using OrCAD Capture and PCB Editor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z7RCh8bK6_8C&pg=PA54|date=28 May 2009|publisher=Newnes|isbn=978-0-08-094354-1}}</ref>{{rp|54}} The imaging head assembly traversed over the surface of the media without touching it to produce ''draws'' and ''flashes''. Draws are vectors or arcs created by continuous illumination as the imaging head moves over the photosensitive surface. A flash creates a single simple graphic in a location by shining light through an aperture of the appropriate shape at a fixed location.<ref name="Khandpur2005">{{cite book|author=R. S. Khandpur|title=Printed Circuit Boards: Design, Fabrication, Assembly and Testing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VY8iBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA243|year=2005|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education|isbn=978-0-07-058814-1|pages=243–}}</ref> |
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Modern photoplotters are generally [[raster graphics|raster-scan]] devices that use a [[laser]] beam focused to one or more spots, and modulated at multi-[[megahertz]] rates, to form the image.<ref name="Schroeder1998"/>{{rp|283-}} |
Modern photoplotters are generally [[raster graphics|raster-scan]] devices that use a [[laser]] beam focused to one or more spots, and modulated at multi-[[megahertz]] rates, to form the image.<ref name="Schroeder1998"/>{{rp|283-}} |
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The most recent development related to photoplotting is laser direct imaging (LDI) which utilizes a high-power laser or xenon lamp to directly expose photoresist on a coated substrate instead of exposing photographic film. This eliminates the handling of photographic film. <ref name="Mitzner2009">{{ |
The most recent development related to photoplotting is laser direct imaging (LDI) which utilizes a high-power laser or xenon lamp to directly expose photoresist on a coated substrate instead of exposing photographic film. This eliminates the handling of photographic film. <ref name="Mitzner2009"/>{{rp|6-}} |
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The input of photoplotters is a vector graphics file, typically in [[Gerber Format]].<ref name="Schroeder1998"/>{{rp|235-}} |
The input of photoplotters is a vector graphics file, typically in [[Gerber Format]].<ref name="Schroeder1998"/>{{rp|235-}} |
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Revision as of 03:37, 1 September 2018
A photoplotter is an electro-mechanical-optical machine that exposes a latent image on a media, usually high-contrast monochromatic (black-and-white) photographic film, using a light source under computer control.[1] Once the exposing step is complete, the media is processed in a film processor using a developer solution, along with fixing, washing, and drying.
Nearly any conceivable image can be formed. Photoplotters are used primarily for the production of [printed circuit board]s (PCB) and [integrated circuit] (IC) packaging. Other application areas include chemical milling and specialized graphic arts. Photoplotting is the first step of making photolithography masks for printed circuit boards. In the PCB industry, these masks are called photoplots and are generally limited to features of 20 µm or more. Integrated circuits are made in a similar fashion utilizing photomasks with sub-micrometer feature sizes; photomasks are traditionally made by photoreducing photoplotter output.
History
The first photoplotter was introduced by the Gerber Scientific Inc. in the 1960s.[2][3]: 17- Early machines used a xenon flash lamp, and projected an image mounted in a rotating aperture wheel onto the photosensitive surface of the film or glass plate.[4]: 54 The imaging head assembly traversed over the surface of the media without touching it to produce draws and flashes. Draws are vectors or arcs created by continuous illumination as the imaging head moves over the photosensitive surface. A flash creates a single simple graphic in a location by shining light through an aperture of the appropriate shape at a fixed location.[5]
Modern photoplotters are generally raster-scan devices that use a laser beam focused to one or more spots, and modulated at multi-megahertz rates, to form the image.[3]: 283-
The most recent development related to photoplotting is laser direct imaging (LDI) which utilizes a high-power laser or xenon lamp to directly expose photoresist on a coated substrate instead of exposing photographic film. This eliminates the handling of photographic film. [4]: 6-
The input of photoplotters is a vector graphics file, typically in Gerber Format.[3]: 235-
See also
- Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
- Gerber Format (RS-274X)
References
- ^ Raymond H. Clark (6 December 2012). Handbook of Printed Circuit Manufacturing. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 17–. ISBN 978-94-011-7012-3.
- ^ David J. Gerber (2015). The Inventor's Dilemma: The Remarkable Life of H. Joseph Gerber. Yale University Press. pp. 167–. ISBN 978-0-300-12350-0.
- ^ a b c Chris Schroeder (1998). Printed Circuit Board Design Using AutoCAD. Newnes. ISBN 978-0-7506-9834-4.
- ^ a b Kraig Mitzner (28 May 2009). Complete PCB Design Using OrCAD Capture and PCB Editor. Newnes. ISBN 978-0-08-094354-1.
- ^ R. S. Khandpur (2005). Printed Circuit Boards: Design, Fabrication, Assembly and Testing. Tata McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 243–. ISBN 978-0-07-058814-1.
External links
- https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US3695154.pdf Ronald B. Webster, Variable Aperture Photoexposure Device, 15 September 1970, 3 October 1972. Gerber variable shutter patent with pictures that could be used in the article.