Hi 'samm',
The reasons for vibrators on a plating line--actually all the wet processing
of plated through holes--is to remove air bubbles from the holes to be
plated. At any step an air bubble can an important step to be completed
(catalysation, Cu flash, Cu plating). The consequences are outright
electrical opens or very thin plating in the center of the PCB (which is
actually worse, because you now have a latent defect in your product going to
a custormer).

Werner Engelmaier
Engelmaier Associates, L.C.
Electronic Packaging, Interconnection and Reliability Consulting
23 Gunther Street                                 In December:                                               7 Jasmine
Run
Mendham, NJ  07945                                                                  Ormond Beach, FL  32174  USA
Phone & Fax: 973-543-2747                         Phone: 904-437-8747, Fax: 904-437-8737
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

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