UV Lasers in the Electronics Industry

The UV laser marking machine, with its cold processing and high precision characteristics, has become a key tool in the field of precision electronics processing.From chip packaging to flexible printed circuit board marking, its micron-level processing capabilities ensure zero damage and high definition marking effects.When choosing equipment, one needs to focus on actual power output, the stability of the cooling system, and compatibility with software. Only by matching parameters with the real needs of the production line can one maximize production efficiency and add value to the product.

Why is the precision electronics industry so keen on UV laser marking?

In the electronics industry, UV lasers are becoming very popular for marking, especially in areas requiring a high degree of accuracy, such as mobile phone components and chip packaging.Compared with traditional carbon dioxide or optical fiber lasers, its beam is narrower and its energy is more focused, so it can "lightly scratch" a mark on the surface of materials at the micron level without damaging the interior structure.For example, some circuit boards are so small that they can barely be seen with the naked eye. But the UV equipment can still read them clearly, which is crucial for product tracing.

These are the three most significant advantages of UV lasers.

The precision is so high that "even a compulsive perfectionist would be satisfied.

Ordinary laser marking is easily affected by heat, which can cause the edges to turn yellow or deform.The cold-processing nature of UV laser marking circumvents these problems, allowing for clear, sharp lines and even 0.1-mm characters with crisp edges. This makes it especially suitable for the needs of microsensors and electronic components.

It is so flexible in terms of materials that it is "not picky about what it eats.

Whether it's a brittle ceramic substrate or a flexible FPC, ultraviolet lasers can handle them all.For example, with traditional marking, it can be difficult to avoid leaving burrs on the metal frame of a mobile-phone camera module. But by using UV light, it is possible to create a permanent mark that won't affect the accuracy of later assembly.

It's efficient and saves a lot of trouble.

Nowadays, many electronic factories require their lines to run 24 hours a day, and the stability of UV equipment is a key consideration.For example, one machine brand has been tested for continuous operation of 2000 hours without any degradation, and when paired with an automatic loading system, the yield can be stabilized at over 99.8 %.

Practical examples of typical application scenarios.

Chip packaging.

After the wafers are cut into chips, the chips need to be laser-etched with batch numbers and specifications.Ultraviolet lasers can etch a mark 5 µ m deep on a package surface 0.3 mm thick, without affecting subsequent welding.

FPC marking (flexible printed circuit board).

FPC material is not heat resistant, and is easily burned by ordinary lasers.One Japanese company switched to UV marking equipment and was able to mark polyimide substrates 0.1 mm thick without carbonization, raising the yield from 85 % to 97 %.

A brief history of microelectronics.

For example, it is now possible to laser-etch a QR code onto a capacitor or inductor the size of a sesame seed.After one Shenzhen factory implemented the system, the time needed to trace the source of its products was reduced by 70 %, and the number of customer complaints fell by 40 %.

Three things to watch out for when choosing equipment.

Don't just look at the power rating.

Some manufacturers claim 20W output, but in fact the effective output is probably less than 15W.He suggested that the machine be tested by trying to engrave a thin line on a 0.1-mm-thick stainless steel plate. If it could engrave a stable 0.08-mm-wide line, then it would be worth buying.

Heat dissipation determines lifespan.

I've seen too many factories buy cheap equipment that doesn't dissipate heat well, and after six months the light output has fallen off severely.The key is the cooling system for the laser, which is water-cooled and air-cooled. This system can usually extend the life of the laser by three times or more.

Software is gender-blind.

For factories that need to link their MES systems to their ERP systems, it is especially important to confirm that the equipment can read the ERP data directly.Last year, an enterprise in Dongguan got caught out this way, and had to spend an additional NT $ 80,000 on a second round of development before the problem was solved.