Laserlab, Inc.
Laser Photoplots
Photoplotting history and equipment
Laserlab started as a photoplotting shop in 1988 with a single Optrotech Laser Photoplotter.
In the more than twenty years since then we have shipped hundreds of thousands of photoplots
to thousands of customers. We currently have three laser photo plotters located in our class
1000 clean room facility in San Diego, California.
We are located right across the street from a Fedex hub. This allows us to ship your job as
late as 5:30PM Pacific time (8:30PM Eastern) for arrival at your facility the next morning.
Photoplot Pricing
Laserlab Photoplot features
- Made on a sheet of high-contrast black and clear (transparent) photographic film.
- Approximately the thickness of two sheets of copy paper.
- Exposed by a laser beam that scans across the entire surface.
- Produced from computer data files in Gerber or other format.
- Dramatically sharper, denser, and more accurate than ink-jet or laser printer output.
- Very accurate and stable.
- Higher dimensional accuracy than film made on an imagesetter.
Photoplot Applications
- Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing
- Screens for screen printing (Silkscreens)
- Chemically etched metal components
- Low-cost, large feature masks for semiconductor processing
- Wheels (codewheels) and strips (codestrips) for optical rotary and linear encoders
- Membrane switches and overlays
- Nameplates
- Microwave devices
- Microfluidics
- Electrical resistance heaters
Ordering and Delivery
- Read about phototool types and fill out
your order form accordingly.
- Send your files via email to jobq at laserlab dot com
- Orders arriving before 3:00PM Pacific Time are usually shipped the same day.
- We are located across the street from a major
depot so we can ship as late as 5:30PM Pacific Time.
- Inexpensive
ground shipment is available
for orders to delivery addresses in Southern California.
- Here is more detailed delivery, pickup, and shipping information.
Technical details of Laserlab photoplots
Film
- Made on high-contrast Fuji HCP-7S film.
- Polyester film base is 0.007" ( 7 mils ) thick.
- Clear areas have density of 0.05 maximum.
- Black areas have density of 4.0 minimum.
Cleaning and Storage
- Use a waterless photographic film cleaner.
- We use Sprayway Specialty Film Cleaner #206
- Carefully read MSDS and instructions before use.
- Make sure to provide adequate ventilation when using this product.
- Sprayway #206 is flammable, so keep away from ignition sources.
- Store films in LDPE bags (one is provided with each photoplot).
- Store in a cool, clean place between 30% and 60% humidity.
Sizes
- Smallest standard sheet size is 12x18" (maximum image 10x16")
- Largest standard sheet size is 26x37" (maximum high-resolution image 24x35",
maximum very-high-resolution image 22x30")
- Standard sheet sizes are 12x18", 16x20", 20x24", 24x28", and 26x37"
Image Resolutions
Two image resolutions are available, high and very high.
High resolution is 4000 DPI or 1/4 mil. (6.35um)
- minimum line width is 0.0015" (1.5 mils) (38.1um) for orthogonal lines
- minimum line width is 0.003" (3 mils) (75um) for diagonal lines
- minimum aperture size is 0.001" (1 mil) (25.4um)
- recommended for all applications other than those requiring the highest possible
resolution. Applications include PCBs, silkscreens, high-frequency PCBs, Hybrid circuits,
chemically etched components with fine lines. etc.
Very High resolution is 8000 DPI or 1/8 mil. (3.175um)
- minimum line width is 0.0005" (0.5 mil) (12.7um) for orthogonal lines*
- minimum line width is 0.001" (1 mil) (25um) for diagonal lines
- minimum aperture size is 0.0005" (0.5 mil) (12.7um)
- recommended for microwave PCBs, hybrid circuits, chemically milled components,
microfluidics, gratings, low-resolution semiconductor wafer masks, etc.
* Certain restrictions apply when making lines of minimum size. Orthogonal lines and spaces
are easier to make than diagonal ones. Lines running parallel to the fast scan axis of the
photoplotter are the best quality.
File Formats
- Native file format is Extended Gerber RS-274X or Gerber RS-274D*.
- Acceptable formats include AutoCAD .dwg and .dxf, Gerber, and HPGL.
- Conversion from other CAD formats is available. Please call.
* Preferred format is Gerber RS-274X. There may be a surcharge for loading and verifying
Gerber RS-274D data.
Copyright© 1998-2012 Laserlab, Inc.
Last modified on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 11:10 AM