Photoplotter

A photoplotter is a specialized electro-opto-mechanical machine that exposes a latent image on a medium, usually high-contrast monochromatic (black-and-white) photographic film, using a light source under computer control.[1] Once the film has been exposed, it must be processed before it is ready for use.

Photoplotters are used primarily for industrial production of printed circuit boards (PCB) and integrated circuit (IC) packaging. In the PCB industry, photoplotting is the first step of making photolithography masks for printed circuit boards. These masks are called photoplots and are limited in resolution by the technology in use; in 1998 photoplots with resolvable details of 2.5 μm or more were possible.[2] Integrated circuits are made in a similar fashion utilizing photomasks with sub-micrometer feature sizes; photomasks are traditionally made by photoreducing photoplotter output.[3]

Other application of photoplotters include chemical milling and specialized graphic arts.[4]

  1. ^ Raymond H. Clark (6 December 2012). Handbook of Printed Circuit Manufacturing. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 17–. ISBN 978-94-011-7012-3.
  2. ^ Electronic Products. United Technical Publications. 1989.
  3. ^ Electronic Packaging and Production. Cahners Pub. 1987.
  4. ^ Carill Sharpe (1994). Kempe's Engineers Year-book. Morgan Bros.