Aaron,

Typically most Soldermask Manufacturers keep track to their best of the
Industries usage, unless someone on the Technet readily has this
information.  Your best results will be contacting the Marketing/Sales
Departments of the following Soldermask Manufacturers.

                                          TYPE ex:
1.    Enthone OMI
2.    Dexter                        Hysol SR line
3.    Ciba Geigy                 Probimer 52
4.    Taiyo                          PSR4000
5.    Coates                        Imagecure

Noted above are some of the larger soldermask manufacturers.  These
companies  produce and sell a wider scope of products to the PCB and PCA
industries.
The numbers and contacts I have may not do you any good, so try the
internet.

You will find there is a threshold to who uses manual screen coating
methods and companies that use curtain coating methods.  You may want to
reflect in your report the users by dollar amount <20mil, 30~60, 60~100,
etc,.  You will find that smaller facilities do not have the monies to
acquire the curtain coating lines.  If you looking at automated screen
methods such as DP Lines, which are dual screen printers.  You will find
these are the most widely used equipment in the industry to date.  Very
few PCB suppliers can warrant the cost of a full curtain coat line.  The
footprint ratio of an automated screen printer vs. curtain coat is 4:1
minimum.
From my history with working with a PE installing a curtain coating
line, its a b--ch, maintenance is a nightmare, etc.,.  This was 10 years
ago, so things may have changed, giving the process the benefit of the
doubt.

The most comprehensive list for PCB related issues can be found at the
PC Fab archives.  Years ago, I would solicit their list and use it
extensively.  Request a hard copy list of archive articles pertaining to
any topic and their may be a nominal charge for coping the article and
mailing.

Good Luck,

John Gulley - Process QE Manager
INET Technologies Inc.
"A Smarter Vision"






Aaron Ondo wrote:

>  Hello,
>
> I am writing my thesis and I need some numerical data to include.  The
> information I am looking for is:
>
>    * Annual production of printed circuit boards in the World or
>      United States in square miles or relevant unit.
>    * Annual usage of solder resist in the World or United States in
>      gallons or relevant unit.
>    * Percentage of World or United States production that is done by
>      using the curtain coating method.
>    * Percentage of World or United States production that is done by
>      using the screen coating method.
>    * Citations for any information provided.
>
> Any and all information to any of the above requests is greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Aaron
>
> --
>
> Aaron A. Ondo
> 304-293-4372 ext. 13304
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Always remember what is important to you,
> because it may not be to someone else!
>