European leader in PCBs Tecnomaster Group

EUROPEAN LEADER IN PCBS

The Tecnomaster Group is a European holding born from the integration of Tecnomaster SpA, SOS Electronic Engineering, LPP GmbH and Tecnomaster International. Today it is one of the major players in the manufacture of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) both in Italy and Europe. Eugenia Fiusco reports.

The Tecnomaster Group has quickly established itself as a major European player with three production plants located in the heart of the continent. The group offers its clients consulting and co-design services in order to develop customised products: From feasibility studies to engineering, up to after-sales service, the group offers the highest standards of reliability, quality and efficiency.

The Tecnomaster Group is the only group of its kind in Europe and has consolidated its position over the years thanks to an efficient network of agents and the strategic location of its three production plants: Tecnomaster SpA, located in northern Italy, in Pavia di Udine; SOS Electronic located in France, in Cormeilles-en-Vexin; and LPP GmbH based in Pfullingen, Germany. Tecnomaster SpA designs and manufactures hitech PCBs for a wide range of industries, including industrial automation, avionics, lighting, medical, telecommunication, consumer electronics, defence and so on. The strength of the Italian company is to quickly produce not only prototypes but also medium volumes. SOS EE provides prototyping and small series PCBs for the French market as well as the manufacturing of flex and rigid-flex printed circuit boards. Finally, LLP designs and manufactures hi-tech PCBs and laser drilling services.

“Tecnomaster Group employs some of the most advanced technologies available, such as laser drilling, inkjet screen printing, LDI and automated systems to support the 24-hour production cycle and reduce delivery times in order to complete 70 per cent of production runs within ten working days,” explained Mr Arduino Pattaro, CEO of Tecnomaster. “We have a diversified turnover derived mainly from national and European clients, at 40 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, and the remaining 10 per cent from international clients.”

Products and technology

From prototypes to small series with a turnaround time of 72 hours and up to industrial series and special ‘non-standard’ circuits to be delivered in three to four weeks, Tecnomaster Group offers a wide and customised range of products. This range includes double-sided and multilayered up to 38-layer circuits, with blind and buried holes (SBU–HDI technology) and laser drilling, multilayer circuits with controlled impedance or backpanels up to 8mm and measuring 1200x610mm. The circuit boards can be finished with chemical and electrolytic gold finishes, Hot Air Levelling, OSP finishes, electrolytic silver finishes and chemical tin finishes.

The printing process, which takes place in white rooms, is carried out using modern LDI (laser) systems with robotic automatic loading that allows for 24-hour production. Modern automatic Orbotech inspection (AOI) systems monitor the quality of engravings, while the electrical test mobile probes ensure 100 per cent diagnostic coverage. The metal deposition in the holes is checked with Fisherscope. The manufacturing sites are equipped with chemical and physical laboratories that can perform dimensional checks with automatic optical systems and weldability testing.

A certificate of conformity, which displays details of the contract, testing, product traceability, finish and administrative data, accompanies each production batch. Moreover, all products come with a guarantee and after-sales assistance in compliance with the highest European standards.

Onwards and upwards

Mr Pattaro commented on the group’s strategy for the future. “We are not thinking about further expansion in terms of plants. The recent acquisitions in France and Germany have increased our production capacity considerably. These three companies alone supply 80 per cent of the European market.” The group currently has a production capacity of 100,000 square metres per year, with production spread over an area of 19,000 square metres across the three sites. Up to 50 new products per day can be processed.

All Tecnomaster Group companies ensure high quality standards when it comes to materials and the constant search for process

improvement. Every year it reinvests about 10 per cent of its turnover in R&D and machinery. “We are always investing to improve our technology and cut costs through process automation,” said Mr Arduino Pattaro, adding: “We are always looking at the market and invest accordingly in order to consolidate our position and grow.”

Mr Pattaro explained that the key elements for the future development and growth of Tecnomaster Group are the provision of high quality products through the constant improvement of technology and processes, quick turnaround and on-going client support from product design to after-sales. “Our suppliers are a vital element in process improvement. Thanks to them we are always up to date with the latest technology available.” Tecnomaster’s major suppliers include Index, Elga Europe, Kemmer, Pluriservice and Orbotech. The group also cooperates in several research programs with leading companies and institutions to research on new applications. n