Advancing precision in our EMS production with the RapiTrim laser trimming system
At CMAC, continuous investment in manufacturing technology is part of how we support the increasing demands of high-reliability industries. As part of this approach, we have integrated a new fully automated RapiTrim laser trimming system from PPI Systems Inc. into our production environment in Belgium.
Expanding our internal capabilities
The addition of this system increases our available production capacity and extends our existing laser trimming capabilities, including active trimming for fine adjustment of resistor values during the production or our thickfilm substrates. Within our EMS processes, this allows us to better control electrical performance on ceramic substrates and maintain consistency across high-volume production.
The system is used across a range of substrate formats, adding flexibility to our existing manufacturing flow.
Process control and precision
The platform combines laser processing with integrated measurement and control functions. For us, this supports stable and repeatable trimming processes with a high level of precision.
Key process characteristics include:
- Beam placement accuracy of 12 µm (3 sigma) across the process area
- Position resolution below 0.5 µm
- XY positioning accuracy below 5 µm with repeatability of 1 µm
- Resistance measurement accuracy down to ±0.05%
Real-time measurement and pulse-by-pulse feedback help ensure controlled approach-to-target trimming, which contributes to process stability and consistent results.
Integration into automated EMS flow
Except for manual loading and unloading of magazines, the process is fully automated within our production flow. Vision-based alignment with offset and rotation compensation supports consistent setup.
The software environment supports our operators through real-time process monitoring and diagnostics. This allows the system to be integrated efficiently into high-volume electronics production.
Application in high-reliability manufacturing
Within CMAC, this capability is applied in contexts where precision and stability are essential, including automotive, medtech and other high-reliability sectors. It forms part of our broader EMS offering for complex electronic component manufacturing.
Long-term capability development
The integration of this system is part of our ongoing approach to strengthen internal capabilities, maintain production stability, and support customer demand over time.
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