I've been out of this a while but so far as I recall Assuming a CO2 laser and FR4, theoretically if it is correctly tuned/focused it should give a big enough instant enough whack that the laminate is vaporised before it burns. In practice you are likely to get a little discoloration (no charring), you can reduce this by going for a perforation rather than a continuous cut as this reduces rate of heat input leading to local overheating. If you are looking at the high frequency funny stuff laminates with random weaves, then it is possible to make continuous cuts on some of these OK, [but there are too many types to remember now which specifically]. Regards Mike Fenner Indium Corporation T: + 44 1908 580 400 M: + 44 7810 526 317 F: + 44 1908 580 411 E: [log in to unmask] W: www.indium.com Pb-free: www.Pb-Free.com -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Atkinson, Neil Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 6:10 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] Laser Cut PCBs We are looking to use lasers to de-panel assembled PCBs, the initial results look very good apart from a slight burning (obviously) on the edge of the laminate. The burn is just on the surface in most cases but can discolour the laminate up to ¼ mm into the PCB in the worst case. Does anyone have experience of this? What reliability issues can you foresee? By the way - Petrol (Gas) is currently almost $7 a gallon in the UK! Many thanks, Neil ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: This email, its content and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may be legally privileged and/or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient please delete and contact the sender by return and delete the material from any computer. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. Messages sent via this medium may be subject to delays, non-delivery and unauthorized alteration. This email has been prepared using information believed by the author to be reliable and accurate, but Indium Corporation makes no warranty as to accuracy or completeness. In particular, Indium Corporation does not accept responsibility for changes made to this email after it was sent. Any opinions or recommendations expressed herein are solely those of the author. They may be subject to change without notice. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------