JETx-M

Inkjet printer for PCB manufacturing

PiXDRO JETx-M is at the heart of the technology revolution in solder mask application.

The award winning novel inkjet-printed solder mask solution for PCBs (printable circuit board) enables drop-on-demand inkjet printing. The advantages of inkjet-based manufacturing are significant. It avoids costly photo processes, which typically include resist coating, exposure and development steps.

Inkjet printing considerably reduces capital equipment investments, associated labor, floor space, chemicals usage and related handling and disposal costs. Because inkjet is digital and additive, it is highly flexible, thus minimizing manufacturing turn-around time.

Highlights

Additive and cost-effective solder mask deposition, eliminating photo processes

High flexibility with digital patterning

Environmentally friendly, reducing chemicals and waste

High resolution and registration accuracy

No missing dams, improving yield

No solder mask in holes and vias

SUSS MicroTec PiXDRO JETx-M

Main features and options

  • Industry-proven functional inkjet printing technology
  • Multi-head arrays for high volume production
  • Multiple fiducial alignment for accurate registration
  • Integrated UV curing for tack-free processing
  • Minimized environmental impact
  • Compatible with all commercially available inkjet solder mask materials

Software

Automated drop formation research and quality monitoring

Advanced Drop Analysis (ADA) is an optional software utility for the LP50 inkjet printer that enables fully automated multi-dimensional research of ink drop formation.

This feature allows fast and efficient optimization of jetting performance for specific inks and printheads in order to achieve best printing results on the substrate given. Once an optimal waveform is created, Advanced Drop Analysis also enables that waveform to be validated for different nozzles, printheads and batches of ink, to provide process tracking over time.

ADA makes use of the integrated high-speed dropview camera to analyze drop formation, while varying the jetting settings. The effect of each setting is then visually presented, and the results can be exported to specific printing recipes.

Your benefits:

  • Automatic and advanced experiment sequencing
  • Varying waveform, ink pressure and temperature for optimized drop formation and print results
  • Control of long-term stability and nozzle-to-nozzle variation
  • Visual and quantitative analysis of drop formation, angle, speed and size

 Main features and options

  • Supports FujiFilm Dimatix, Konica Minolta, OCE and Xaar printheads
  • Integrated as a dedicated recipe in the PiXDRO user interface
  • Includes results viewer, status check and export tool

Software package

For conversion to inkjet printable format

The Advanced Gerber File Rasterizer for PiXDRO inkjet printers enables conversion of Gerber files to an inkjet bitmap format. The software package supports the printing of masking layers, interconnection circuits, encapsulation coatings and many other applications.

Typically, the conversion of a vector (Gerber) file to a bitmap print file can cause rounding and pixelization errors. The Advanced Gerber File Rasterizer minimizes these errors, and can conserve the minimum feature sizes of the original design. The software package is specifically designed for LP50, IP410 and JETx inkjet printers.

Example of an vector to bitmap error

Your benefits:

  • Specifically designed for PiXDRO inkjet printers, based on extensive functional inkjet experience
  • State-of-the-art Gerber RIP
  • Extremely fast and robust, enabling on-the-fly file conversion
  • Precise, high resolution conversion
  • User-friendly interface

Main features and options

  • Droplet Size Compensation: prevents lines from becoming too wide, and gaps from becoming too small
  • Ink Coverage Control: controls the ink density along the print periphery and within the interior
  • Narrow Line Recovery: narrow lines with dimensions close to the dropsize could disappear during Gerber file conversion, but will be recovered by this function
  • Expert Mode: all commands and options are accessible in the print recipe
  • Independent X-Y DPI: can apply different resolutions for the X and Y axes

Optional Software Module

Software package to quickly define the optimal print settings

Automated Print Optimization (APO) is an optional software module for the PiXDRO LP50 inkjet printer that enables quick and effective definition of the optimal print settings.

APO software is designed for process developers who want to investigate various ink materials and substrates, and who need to define the best print settings to achieve their goals. APO unlocks the full potential of the printer by providing quick access to the various advanced print strategies.

The automated print routine generates a matrix of patterns on a substrate based on the variation of pre-selected input parameters, enabling operators to rapidly find the optimal settings for their application.

Benefits of Automated Print Optimization

  • Enables the highest possible print quality
  • Allows fast and effective print quality analysis
  • Runs independently, allowing more analysis time
  • Automatic variations of all available parameters
  • Results are directly visible for inspection

Main features

  • Supports all printheads and parameters
  • Matches print and waveform settings with required layer properties
  • Optimizes drop flow behavior
  • Simulates nozzle failures in different masking strategies
  • Monitors process stability over time
  • User-friendly reporting format
Downloads
Inkjet Printing Technology Brochure 887kb
Jet-x Brochure 861kb