Analysis of sonic waves generated during laser engraving of printed circuits

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

We present an experiment where sonic waves generated during the laser engraving of printed circuit boards (PCB) were acquired and analyzed. The sonic waves were detected simultaneously using a microphone and a laser beam deflection probe. An efficient windowed peak-to-peak signal processing algorithm was developed to examine the relation between the detected signals and the engraving quality. The results of signal analysis were compared to the engraving surface topography, measured by means of optical microscopy with extended depth-of-field digital photography. The results show that it is possible to distinguish between shallow, good, and burnt engravings by examination of the acquired sonic signals. This observation opens the possibility of automated monitoring or even control of the process of laser engraving PCBs using sonic wave detection.

Keywords

Laser engraving Direct laser structuring (DLS) Printed circuit board (PCB) Acoustic detection Process monitoring 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. 1.
    Burgess LW, Pauri F (1999) Laser technology. Defining its role in PCB production process. Print Circuit Fabrication 22:22–29Google Scholar
  2. 2.
    Podobnik B, Kovačič D, Poplašen M (2005) Method For The Partial Removal Of A Conductive Layer. International patent WO2005076678Google Scholar
  3. 3.
    Krause J (2000) High-precision working. Print Circuit Fabrication 23:24–28Google Scholar
  4. 4.
    Zhang B, Yung KC (2006) Feasibility of the 248 nm Excimer laser in the laser structuring of fine circuit lines on printed circuit board. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 33:1149–1158, DOI  10.1007/s00170-006-0564-9 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  5. 5.
    Chryssolouris G (1991) Laser machining: theory and practice. Springer-Verlag, New York, NYGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Chryssolouris G, Anifantis N, Karagiannis S (1997) Laser assisted machining: an overview. J Manuf Sci Eng 119:766–769, 75th anniversary issueCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Chryssolouris G, Tsoukantas G, Salonitis K, Stavropoulos P, Karagiannis S (2002) Laser machining Modelling and experimentation—an overview. In: Proceedings of SPIE, 3rd GR-I International Conference on New Laser Technologies and Applications, Patras, Greece, Volume 51715: 158–168Google Scholar
  8. 8.
    Stournaras A, Stavropoulos P, Chryssolouris G (2006) Theoretical and experimental investigation of pulsed laser grooving process. In: Proceedings of the 25th ICALEO, Arizona, USA, pp. 525–534Google Scholar
  9. 9.
    Salonitis K, Stournaras A, Tsoukantas G, Stavropoulos P, Chryssolouris G (2007) A theoretical and experimental investigation on limitations of pulsed laser drilling. J Mater Process Technol 183:96–103, DOI  10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2006.09.031 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.
    Diaci J, Možina J (1992) A study of blast waveforms detected simultaneously by a microphone and a laser probe during laser ablation. Appl Phys A Solids Surf 55:352–358, DOI  10.1007/BF00324084 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.
    Diaci J (1992) Response functions of the laser beam deflection probe for detection of spherical acoustic waves. Rev Sci Instrum 63:5306–5310, DOI  10.1063/1.1143444 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. 12.
    Hrovatin R, Možina J (1995) Optodynamic aspect of a pulsed laser ablation process. Appl Surf Sci 86:213–218, DOI  10.1016/0169-4332(94)00391-2 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  13. 13.
    Sheng P, Chryssolouris G (1994) Investigation of acoustic sensing for laser machining processes. Part 2: Laser grooving and cutting. J Mater Process Technol 43:145–163, DOI  10.1016/0924-0136(94)90018-3 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    Chryssolouris G (1994) Sensors in laser machining. CIRP Ann 43:513–519CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. 15.
    Petkovšek R, Močnik G, Možina J (2007) Measurements of the high pressure ultrasonic wave and the cavitation bubble by optodynamic method. Fluid Phase Equilib 256:158–162, DOI  10.1016/j.fluid.2007.01.004 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. 16.
    Petkovšek R, Možina J, Močnik G (2005) Optodynamic characterization of the shock waves after laser-induced breakdown in water. Opt Express 13:4107–4112, DOI  10.1364/OPEX.13.004107 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. 17.
    Stournaras A, Stavropoulos P, Pandremenos J, Paralikas J, Chryssolouris G (2007) A Statistical Analysis of Laser Cutting Quality of Aluminium Alloy 5083. In: Proceedings of the 40th CIRP International Seminar on Manufacturing Systems, Liverpool, U.K.Google Scholar
  18. 18.
    Pan LK, Wang CC, Hsiao YC, Ho KC (2004) Optimization of Nd:YAG laser welding onto magnesium alloy via Taguchi analysis. Opt Laser Technol 37:33–42Google Scholar
  19. 19.
    Ablan D (2007) Digital photography for 3D imaging and animation. SYBEX Inc., Alameda, CA, USAGoogle Scholar
  20. 20.
    Hadley A (2007) CombineZM computer program. www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag London Limited 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.University of LjubljanaFaculty of Mechanical EngineeringLjubljanaSlovenia
  2. 2.LPKF Laser&Elektronika d.o.o.KranjSlovenia

Personalised recommendations