Central Circuits and Somacis in joint venture and technology partnership

30 July 2003 Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services

In 2002, Central Circuits, in co-operation with sister company Central Electronic Technologies (CET) expanded their presence and market share in the PCB industry by establishing a joint venture and technology transfer agreement with Somacis, a leading European PCB manufacturer.

With state-of-the-art facilities in Italy (headquarters), Brazil, China and Korea, Somacis' global presence eliminates any possible logistical problem. All printed circuit boards that are not manufacturable in-house at Central Circuits due to volume, technology and/or pricing requirements are done within the Somacis group. In addition to high-tech multilayer PCBs, Somacis also produces backplane PCBs, flex and flex-rigid boards, as well as membrane keyboards.

With over 30 years of experience, Somacis is a leader in technologically-developed products such as PCBs with laser drilling, standard track and gap clearances down to 4 mil and micro-drilled vias with an aspect ratio of 12:1. Track and gap clearances down to 2 mil can be achieved with laser direct imaging (LDI). Other capabilities include PCBs with internal heatsinks and PCBs for high power application.

According to Central Circuits, Somacis can make a preventive analysis of a customer's project, paying particular attention to the impact the product will have in production, look at issues such as reliability, and examine panel drawings to improve material yield and to lower critical features to increase yield and economy. The company says that such capabilities and added services are scarcely met by European competitors, and virtually absent in competitors in the Far East.

Somacis has developed and patented an innovative pressing system that enables it to control the pressing parameters (thermal profile and pressure curve) panel by panel. In every pressing open, only two panels may be inserted, each being in direct contact with the heating and pressing elements. This ensures a very controlled build - essential in controlled-impedance boards and SBU laser technology. Inner layers that have a thickness down to 50 µm can be pressed, with virtually zero image distortion and movement. Somacis currently has the longest and most modern horizontal, electroless and pulse-plating line in Europe.

In the last year Somacis has undergone successful quality audits by various South African military and commercial firms. Among the company's international customers are Airbus, Celestica, Ericcson, Flextronics, Marconi, Nokia and Siemens.

Central Circuits will be at the ADEC Exhibition during September where visitors will be able to discuss any PCB manufacturing issues.

For more information contact Rudi Koekemoer, Central Electronic Technologies, 012 665 4860, [email protected], or see www.somacis.com

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