Miniaturization of printed circuit board revolutionizes mobile communications

German company revolutionizes the entire electronics industry with its "gentle" etching technology.
The growing functional range of smartphones, digital cameras and tablets requires a high level of integration density in the semi-conductor field and the miniaturization of electronic modules.
Until now, the use of faster microchips was virtually impossible due to increased heat generation. This problem can now be resolved by integrating the microchips within the flat module (embedded technology). This means that the use of chip carriers in connection technology is a thing of the past.
The patented process permits the production of traces with a width of just 20µm in homogeneous quality over an entire panel. For comparison purposes: a human hair is approx. five times as thick.
"The patented AXON OXIjet® process is a milestone in the development of mobile communications. The scope of functions of mobile end-user units largely depends on micro-conductor technology and the miniaturization of contact surfaces." explains Marcus Lang, Technical Manager at AKON GmbH.
The H2O2 process used so far has the disadvantage of having a very broad process window which results in an unstable and hard-to-control etching process. This has a negative effect on the etching quality of the structures to be formed. This causes a high production scrap rate. The OXIjet® process enables a really small process window and accurate metering of the etching solution. The positive effects on the surface structure of the traces can be seen in the steepness of the etched flanks, finer structures and increased signal quality.
The decisive factor is the ground-breaking development of the AXON OXIjet® process, which revolutionizes the manufacture of printed circuit boards.
In the manufacture of printed circuit boards, the conducting structures are etched onto a copper surface in a complex and expensive process. Up to now, liters of the dangerous material hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were used in these etching processes. The problem is this: Hydrogen peroxide is a very strong oxidation agent which increases the risk of fire and can cause severe damage to the eyes and irritation to the skin. It is also toxic.

It is precisely here that the AKON OXIjet® technology is setting new standards, because this flammable toxic material is replaced by ozone (O3) that is generated "in situ". The prize-winning process generates ozone from ambient air using a generator. The ozone is introduced into the production cycle directly at the point it is required (in situ). The volume of ozone generated in this way is of the order of a few grams. Excess ozone is converted to oxygen in a catalytic converter and then discharged back into the air. The critical and expensive handling of the toxic material hydrogen peroxide is completely eliminated.
"In the electronics industry alone, an annual saving of over 15 million liters of dangerous hydrogen peroxide can be made." explains Marcus Lang.

"Using this process not only protects the environment but also offers the electronics industry a quantum leap in the reduction in the surface area of printed circuit boards in series production. New developments that so far have been unthinkable will now become possible. Increasing the pack density makes electronic modules faster and more powerful. Developers and programmers are able to set out upon entirely new paths to create new generations of equipment." adds Managing Director Wolfgang Dambacher.

Being a very innovative company AKON developed several patented processes and components for the automotive and electrical industry

The AKON systems provide a tremendous increase in quality. Furthermore the industrial processes are improved with respect to the environment, the health and the safety. All this you can achieve at a reasonable price.

For these reasons AKON is the winner of the 9th German Hazard Protection Award honouring the innovative OXIjet technology that protects the employees.

AKON GmbH
Dr.-Rudolf-Schieber-Str. 11-15
73463 Westhausen
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)7363 / 954 958-0
E-Mail: info@akon-germany.de
www.akon-germany.com

This release was published on openPR.