Israel’s Orbotech inks deal with Unimicron for PCBs

Israel-based Orbotech a global supplier of yield-enhancing and process-enabling solutions for the manufacture of electronics products, today announced a multi-million-dollar agreement with Unimicron Germany (formerly RUWEL International) for the purchase of Orbotech's direct imaging (DI), automated optical inspection (AOI) and automated optical shaping (AOS) PCB production solutions.

Unimicron Germany specialises in high-end, high-reliability manufacturing for automotive electronics, renewable energy and industrial markets.

Unimicron is in the process of rebuilding its inner layer fab as a fully automated Industry 4.0, state-of-the-art facility, and upgrading its Outerlayer and Solder Mask capacity and capabilities. The manufacturing facility was devastated in a fire last year is expected to be fully functional in the first half of 2018.

Among the Orbotech solutions Unimicron Germany has ordered the latest members of the Nuvogo family for direct imaging; Orbotech Diamond 8 for high throughput solder mask direct imaging; Fusion 22 AOI with 2D metrology in process quality control (IPQC); Precise 800 AOS system for 3D shaping of any layer HDI and complex multi-layer boards; and Orbotech Smart Factory for Industry 4.0-compliant, integrated PCB production.

"Following the fire which devastated our facility last year, we have a unique opportunity to rebuild and improve on our past successes," said Gerard van Dierendonck, CEO, Unimicron Germany. "We are committed to making the facility more environmentally and energy friendly, as well as ensuring the highest level of flexibility with the lowest total cost of ownership. We selected Orbotech's solutions because they enable us to achieve our goals and are the best fit for our customers' present and anticipated production and technology needs."

Commenting on the order Sharon Cohen, president, Orbotech West, said "Our Industry 4.0-compliant solutions meet Unimicron's specific advanced technology and reliability needs and enable and ensures traceability, which is critical for automotive and other high-reliability PCB applications. In addition, our comprehensive customer service offering, with our one-stop monitoring center, is designed to provide pro-active, preventative measures which can troubleshoot any potential issues, such as downtime, before they even occur."