Press Releases

July 18, 2006

Calumet Electronics Upgrades Inner Layer Processing with 2 Schmid D/E/S Lines

Calumet Electronics Corporation has purchased 2 Schmid Develop/Etch/Strip Lines to enhance their printed circuit board manufacturing capabilities. The increasing demand for finer lines/spaces, higher layer counts, controlled impedance, and hi-reliability in the PCB industry requires highly advanced production technology. "Schmid is acknowledged as the global leader in manufacturing high-end wet processing equipment" Elden Hendrickson, Jr. - Procurement Manager stated, "These lines provide critical processing capabilities for pcb inner layers and are another example of Calumet's commitment to continuous improvement!"

The Develop/Etch/Strip Line performs 3 critical functions affecting the quality of the inner layers of multi layered printed circuit boards. The photographic resist that defines the pattern of additional plating is developed to expose unnecessary copper areas in the developer module. The exposed copper is then etched off by using a sprayed-on cupric-chloride based etching solution in the copper etch module. Finally, the residual dry-film resist layer is stripped away in the resist strip module. The Schmid etching modules utilize oscillating spray manifolds arranged either parallel or at right angles to the conveyor direction, through optimization of the nozzle positioning, a consistent etching rate is achieved across the entire panel surface. Continuous monitoring of the process bath parameters, the pressure and flow rates of the individual spray bars allow for ideal etching results.

About Calumet
Since 1968, Calumet's been manufacturing hi-reliability printed circuit boards. Every board is proudly built in the security of its Calumet, MI, USA facility. The company is registered as a Small Business by the SBA and a certified HUBZone Enterprise. Financial strength is continually rated at 4A1 by D&B. Product realization is achieved within a quality system registered to ISO9001:2000 and certified by the Department of Defense to Military Performance Specifications for Printed Circuit Boards; MIL-PRF-31032 and MIL-PRF-55110. Corporate focus hasn't changed in 40 years; provide optimum value in every board and to every relationship! At 40, Calumet remains committed to providing value beyond performance!

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