FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an exhaust collector and a printer including the exhaust collector.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing, it is known to utilise printers, typically inkjet printers, for the application of conductive traces to a substrate material for the creation of a PCB. Typically creating PCBs in this manner comprises providing a PCB substrate material having a conductive upper layer and placing this substrate material on a stage of a suitably configured inkjet printer. The inkjet printer is then configured to selectively print photosensitive patterns on the PCB substrate using an etch-resistant ink. Once the patterns have been printed on the PCB substrate, the substrate is then exposed to radiation, typically in the form of Ultraviolet (UV) light, to cure the pattern upon the substrate. Subsequently the PCB substrate is then etched, typically by wet etching, to remove the parts of the conductive layer to which the patterns have not been printed such that only the patterned sections remain on the substrate. Finally, the etch-resistant ink is typically stripped from the surface of the patterns to expose the conductive traces remaining underneath on the substrate.

For inkjet printers configured to apply etch resistant ink such as that described above, it has been typical for these to comprise an air filtering apparatus 1 such as that shown at Figures 1A and 1 B of the accompanying drawings. The air filtering apparatus 1 is configured to pull air from the surrounding environment outside of the printer, typically using a fan or other suitable air circulation device located within the air filtering apparatus housing 3, to create a higher pressure environment within the printer in comparison to the surrounding environment outside of the printer. The air filtering apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of filters 5, 7 which are provided in the fluid flow pathway A of the air which is pulled in through the air filtering apparatus 1 such as to filter the air which is received into the interior of the printer. The plurality of filters 5, 7 may be configured to filter different contaminants or different sizes of contaminants. The filtering and higher pressure environment is implemented for the purposes of preventing contaminants such as dust accumulating within the printer and negatively impacting the printing process.

This type of air filtering apparatus 1 was suitable for use with etch resistant inks which did not evaporate under normal atmospheric conditions and/or during the curing process. However, recently solvent-based etch resistant inks with high levels of evaporation, even at normal atmospheric conditions; have started to be used in inkjet printing of PCBs. The problem with the air filtering apparatus 1 typically used in inkjet printers is that it pushes air through the interior of the printer to remove contaminants, however, when solvent-based etch resistant inks with high levels of evaporation are utilised, the vapours released from the ink evaporating would also be pushed out of the printer and into the surrounding environment which could pose a potential health risk to operators and other personnel working in that environment.

Consequently, there exists a need to provide means of preventing the vapours released from such solvent-based etch resistant inks from being released into the surrounding environment of the printer. It is an object of the present invention to provide means by which to overcome the deficiencies set out above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides an exhaust collector for a printer, the exhaust collector comprising: a housing having an interior cavity; an air circulation device located in the interior cavity of the housing; wherein the housing comprises at least one inlet and an outlet; and wherein when the exhaust collector is installed in the printer the air circulation device is configured to direct gases, which are received into the interior cavity via the at least one inlet from within the interior of the printer, to the outlet such that the gases are exhausted from the printer.

The housing can comprise a plurality of inlets. In an instance, the housing comprises three inlets.

The exhaust collector further can comprise a pressure sensor which is configured to measure the air pressure of at least one of: the exhaust collector, the printer and/or the surrounding environment outside of the printer and/or exhaust collector.

The air circulation device can comprise a fan or a pump such as a Venturi pump.

In an instance, the flow rate of the air circulation device is 1000 m ³ /hr.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a printer comprising: a substrate support device configured to support a substrate thereon; a print head assembly configured to print a predetermined pattern on the substrate; and an exhaust collector comprising: a housing having an interior cavity; an air circulation device located in the interior cavity of the housing; wherein the housing comprises at least one inlet and an outlet; and wherein the air circulation device is configured to direct gases, which are received into the interior cavity via the at least one inlet from within the interior of the printer, to the outlet such that the gases are exhausted from the printer.

The printer further can comprise a drying assembly which is configured to dry the pattern printed on the substrate.

The drying assembly can be fluidly coupled to a second inlet of the exhaust collector.

The drying assembly can further comprise an air circulation device which is configured to direct gases from the drying assembly to the exhaust collector such that gases generated at the drying assembly are exhausted from the printer.

The air circulation device of the drying assembly can have a flow rate of 400 m ³ /hr.

The printer can further comprise a cleaning assembly which is configured to clean the print head assembly subsequent to the pattern being printed on the substrate.

The cleaning assembly can be fluidly coupled to a third inlet of the exhaust collector.

The cleaning assembly can further comprise an air circulation device which is configured to direct gases from the cleaning assembly to the exhaust collector such that gases generated at the cleaning assembly are exhausted from the printer.

The air circulation device of the cleaning assembly can have a flow rate of 60 m ³ /hr.

In an instance, the air circulation device of the exhaust collector has a higher flow rate than that of the air circulation device of the drying assembly and/or cleaning assembly.

The air circulation device of the cleaning assembly and/or drying assembly can comprise a fan or a pump. The predetermined pattern can be printed on the substrate using a photosensitive ink. In an instance, the photosensitive ink is a solvent-based ink. In an example, the photosensitive ink comprises: a photoresist constituting 33 - 64 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; a solvent constituting 19.99 - 59.99 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; a humectant constituting 1 - 10 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; a surfactant constituting 0.01 - 0.1 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; an adhesion promoter constituting 1 - 3 wt. % of said photosensitive ink, said adhesion promoter having a molecular weight between 1700 - 70000 Da; and a basic solution constituting 2 - 3 wt. % of said photosensitive ink, said adhesion promoter being dissolved in said basic solution.

The printer can further comprise a control system to which the pressure sensor is communicatively coupled, wherein the control system is configured to alter the operating state of the printer in response to one or more measurements obtained by the pressure sensor.

The pressure sensor can be configured to measure at least the air pressure within the exhaust collector and the surrounding environment outside of the printer, wherein if the air pressure within the exhaust collector equals or is greater than the air pressure of the surrounding environment outside of the printer, the control system is configured to cause the printer to adopt an off operating state.

In an instance, the printer is an inkjet printer.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a printing system comprising: a printer comprising: a substrate support device configured to support a substrate thereon; a print head assembly configured to print a predetermined pattern on the substrate; and an exhaust collector comprising: a housing having an interior cavity; an air circulation device located in the interior cavity of the housing; wherein the housing comprises at least one inlet and an outlet; and wherein the air circulation device is configured to direct gases, which are received into the interior cavity via the at least one inlet from within the interior of the printer, to the outlet such that the gases are exhausted from the printer; and

An external exhaust system which is fluidly coupled to the outlet of the exhaust collector.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of printing a PCB substrate, the method comprising: providing a PCB substrate; printing a predetermined photosensitive pattern on said substrate; and exhausting gases from the printer using an exhaust collector as recited in any preceding statement of invention.

The method can further comprise drying said photosensitive pattern on said substrate using a drying assembly.

The method can further comprise cleaning a printer head assembly of the printer using a cleaning assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a top perspective view of a prior art embodiment of an air filtering apparatus;

Figure 1 B is a bottom perspective view of the prior art embodiment of the air filtering apparatus;

Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an exhaust collector embodying a first aspect of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an inverted front perspective view of the exhaust collector;

Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the exhaust collector;

Figure 5 an inverted rear perspective view of the exhaust collector;

Figure 6 is a first side perspective view of the exhaust collector;

Figure 7 is a second side perspective view of the exhaust collector;

Figure 8 is a front perspective view of a printer including the exhaust collector embodying a second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a further front perspective view of the printer including the exhaust collector; Figure 10 is perspective view of a hood of the printer showing the exhaust collector located therein;

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the printer including the exhaust collector; and Figure 12 is a flow diagram showing a method of printing a PCB substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in particular Figures 1 to 7, there is shown, generally indicated by the reference numeral 100, an exhaust collector which embodies a first aspect of the present invention. The exhaust collector 100 is for collecting and removing gases such as vapours and/or contaminants such as dust generated during the normal operation of a printer 200, in particular an inkjet printer (such as that shown in Figures 8 and 9), the printer 200 including the exhaust collector 100 embodying a second aspect of the present invention. The printer 200 typically comprises at least a print head assembly and a substrate support device (not shown). The print head assembly typically includes at least one print head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets in a controlled manner upon a substrate positioned on the substrate support device. To this end the print head assembly further includes a suitable ink supply which is coupled to the print head for supplying fluid thereto. The substrate support device is configured to support a substrate during the printing process. To this end the substrate support device typically comprises a stage or chuck or any other device which is suitable for retaining the substrate thereon. The substrate can comprise a PCB substrate formed with a copper layer covering an upper surface thereof.

The printer 200, typically comprising an inkjet printer, is configured to selectively print a photosensitive pattern on the PCB substrate using an ink typically comprising an etchresistant ink which is solvent based. Once the patters has been printed on the PCB substrate, the substrate can then be dried to cure the pattern thereon. Subsequently the PCB substrate may then be etched, typically by wet etching, to remove the parts of the conductive layer to which the patterns have not been printed such that only the patterned sections remain on the substrate. Finally, the etch-resistant ink is typically stripped from the surface of the patterns to expose the conductive traces remaining underneath on the substrate. The steps of etching and/or stripping of the printed PCB substrate may be performed using another apparatus separate to the printer 200.

The etch resistant ink can comprise a solvent-based ink. In an embodiment, the etch resistant ink may comprise: a photoresist constituting 33 - 64 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; a solvent constituting 19.99 - 59.99 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; a humectant constituting 1 - 10 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; a surfactant constituting 0.01 - 0.1 wt. % of said photosensitive ink; an adhesion promoter constituting 1 - 3 wt. % of said photosensitive ink, said adhesion promoter having a molecular weight between 1700 - 70000 Da; and a basic solution constituting 2 - 3 wt. % of said photosensitive ink, said adhesion promoter being dissolved in said basic solution.

During the printing process, relative movement occurs between the print head assembly and the substrate positioned on the substrate support device. To this end, the print head assembly and/or substrate support device may comprise an actuation assembly (not shown) which is configured to move the at least one of the print head assembly or and substrate support device relative to one another. For example, the print head assembly, in particular the print head thereof, can be moved over a fixed substrate, or the print head assembly can be substantially fixed and the substrate can be moved relative to the print head assembly. In an embodiment, both the print head and the substrate can be moved with respect to one another. As the print head moves relative to the substrate, ink droplets are ejected at the correct time, in a controlled manner, in order to deposit ink in the desired location on the substrate to define the pattern.

The printer 200 further typically comprises a drying assembly 150 which is configured to dry or cure the ink after it has been deposited on the substrate. The drying assembly 150 may comprise an air circulation device 153 such as a fan or pump or the like and/or a radiation source such as an Infrared (IR) lamp or an Ultraviolet (UV) lamp. The printer 200 further comprises a cleaning assembly 170 which is configured to clean the printer heads after printing, such as to remove any dried ink residue remaining thereon after printing. The cleaning assembly 170 may be configured to clean the printer heads immediately after each printing process or after a predetermined number of printing processes have been performed or after a predetermined amount of time has passed since a printing process has occurred or any combination of the above. The cleaning assembly 170 may be configured to apply heat to the print heads using a suitable heating source to remove any residual ink remaining thereon and/or the cleaning assembly may comprise a solvent bath or the like within which the print head may be configured to insert itself to dissolve any remaining residue and/or the cleaning assembly 170 may comprise a suction device for removing unused ink and/or residue from the print heads. The cleaning assembly 170 further typically comprises an air circulation device 173 such as a fan or pump or the like. In an embodiment the drying assembly 150 comprises an air circulation device 153 comprising a Venturi pump and the cleaning assembly 170 comprises an air circulation device 173 which comprises a fan. During the drying and cleaning processes performed by the drying assembly 150 and cleaning assemblies 170 respectively, the solvent contained in the ink will typically evaporate, leading to gases (in particular vapours) being released into the air within the printer 200, in particular the drying and cleaning assemblies 150, 170. The air circulation device 153 and 173 of the drying and cleaning assemblies 150, 170 are configured to direct the airflow, in particular the evaporated gases, into the exhaust collector 100 which is fluidly coupled to the drying and cleaning assemblies 150, 170. Advantageously, this results in all of the evaporated gases being directed to and collected in a single location, the exhaust collector 100, for subsequent exhausting out of the printer 200. It should be understood that the various components relating to the printer 200 which are described above are enclosed within the printer housing which can be seen in Figures 8 and 9.

The exhaust collector 100 comprises a housing 101 , having an interior cavity within which an air circulation device 106 is located. The housing 101 further comprises at least one inlet 103 and an outlet 105. The at least one inlet 103 providing a path by which gases produced as a result of the printing processes of the printer 200, are received into the exhaust collector 100, and the outlet 105 providing a path by which the gases and/or contaminants are exhausted from the exhaust collector 100 and consequently the printer 200 in-use. The air circulation device 106 being configured to direct gases, which are received into the interior cavity via the at least one inlet 103 from within the interior of the printer 200, and exhaust these gases via the outlet 105. The gases typically comprising vapours generated by the ink utilised by the printer 200, in particular when the ink comprises a solvent-based ink such as that described previously. The contaminants may comprise dust or any other airborne particulate which may have accumulated within the printer. To this end the air circulation device 106, typically comprising a fan, is configured to blow the gases received via the inlet out of the outlet to exhaust these from the printer 200.

The exhaust collector 100 in an embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 7, is substantially cuboidal in shape having top and bottom walls 107, 109 with four side walls 111 , 113, 115, 117 extending there between to define the housing 101. However, it should be understood that the exhaust collector 100 is not limited to a substantially cuboidal shape, this being an example for illustrative purposes, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the exhaust collector 100 may be substantially cube shaped, pyramidal, cylindrical or any other suitable shape. The outlet 105 is typically located at the top wall 107 of the exhaust collector 100 while the at least one inlet 103 can be located upon one of the sidewalls 111 , 113, 115, 117, however it may alternatively be provided on the bottom wall 109. The top wall 107 being that which is located at the top of the printer 200 in-use. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 7, the exhaust collector comprises a plurality of inlets 103, in particular three inlets 119, 121 , 123 which are located on separate side walls 111 , 113, 115 of the housing 101 with respect to one another, however in an alternative embodiment (not shown), one or more of the inlets 103 may be located on the same side wall 111 , 113 or 115.

When installed in the printer 200 the exhaust collector 100 is located at or towards the in- use top of the printer 200, the in-use top being the part of the printer which is furthest from the ground surface upon which the printer 200 rests in-use. The outlet 105 is typically located in a hood 202 or outer covering of the printer 200 such as shown in Figures 8 to 10. The outlet 105 defines a single fluid pathway out of the printer 200. The outlet 105 is typically configured for attachment to an external exhaust system 400. To this end the outlet 105 typically comprises an upstanding substantially tubular shaped portion, which can comprise a surround, which extends out of and away from the body of the printer 200.

The exhaust collector 100 typically comprises a pressure sensor 125 which is configured to measure the air pressure within, at least one of: the exhaust collector 100, the printer 200 and/or the surrounding environment outside of the printer 200. To this end, in an embodiment, the pressure sensor 125 typically comprises a first sensor 127 configured to measure the air pressure within the exhaust collector 100 and a second sensor 129 which is configured to measure the air pressure in the surrounding environment outside of the printer 200.

The printer 200 typically further comprises a control system 180 to which the pressure sensor 125 is communicatively coupled. The control system 180 may be configured to alter the operating state of the printer 200 in response to one or more measurements obtained by the pressure sensor 125. For example the control system 180 may be configured to cause one or more of the print head assembly, substrate support assembly, drying assembly 150, cleaning assembly 170 and/or exhaust collector 100 to adopt an on or off operating state in response to one or more measurements obtained by the pressure sensor 125. In particular, the control system 180 may be configured to cause the air circulation device 153, 173, 106 of one or more of the drying assembly 150, cleaning assembly 170 and/or the exhaust collector 100 to adopt an on or off operating state in response to a measurement or measurements obtained by the pressure sensor 125. Optionally, the control system 180 may be configured to cause the air circulation device 153, 173, 106 of one or more of the drying assembly 150, cleaning assembly 170 and/or the exhaust collector 100 to alter one or more of their operating characteristics in response to a measurement or measurements obtained by the pressure sensor 125, for example the one or more operating characteristics may include the flow rate or time of activation of any one of the air circulation device 153, 173, 106 of the drying assembly 150, cleaning assembly 170 and/or exhaust collector 100 respectively.

Referring now to Figure 11 , there is shown a simplified schematic diagram of the printer 200 including the exhaust collector 100. The exhaust collector 100 is fluidly coupled to the drying assembly 150 and cleaning assembly 170. To this end, the exhaust collector 100 can be coupled sequentially to both the drying assembly 150 and cleaning assembly 170 within the printer 200 such that the exhaust collector 100 is configured to receive gases exhausted from both the drying assembly 150 and cleaning assembly 170 in-use. The exhaust collector 100, as mentioned previously, can comprise three inlets 119, 121 and 123, wherein the drying assembly 150 is typically fluidly coupled, by a suitable coupling device such as pipes or tubing or the like, to the exhaust collector 100 at the first inlet 123. The cleaning assembly 170 is typically fluidly coupled, by a suitable coupling device such as pipes or tubing or the like, to the exhaust collector 100 at the second inlet 119. However, it should be understood that the drying and cleaning assemblies 150, 170 may be coupled to any suitable inlet 103 provided in the exhaust collector 100. The respective air circulation device 153 and 173 of the drying and cleaning assemblies 150, 170 are configured to direct the gases, in particular the vapours released by the evaporation of the solvent-based inks, to the exhaust collector 100 in-use.

The exhaust collector 100 further comprises the third inlet 121 which is in fluid communication with the interior of the printer 200; to this end the third inlet 121 typically comprises a vent or the like which is always open to the interior environment of the printer 200. The exhaust collector 100, as mentioned previously, comprises the air circulation device 106 which is configured to intake air from the interior environment of the printer 200 and exhaust this air including any gases generated from the drying and cleaning assemblies 150, 170 via the outlet 105. The outlet 105 is typically coupled to an external exhaust system 400, which is configured to exhaust the gases received from the exhaust collector 100 outside of the building or the like within which the printer 200 is located in-use. To this end the external exhaust system 400 may further comprise a scrubber or the like which is configured to remove the gases and/or contaminants received from the exhaust collector 100 before they are exhausted to the outside environment.

As detailed above, each of the drying assembly 150, cleaning assembly 170 and exhaust collector 100 comprise respective air circulations devices 153, 173 and 106. Each of these air circulation devices 153, 173 and 106 can comprise a fan, however, they may additionally or alternatively comprise a pump, such as a Venturi vacuum pump, or any other suitable air circulation device. Hereinafter, for the purposes of describing the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 11 , the air circulation device 153 of the drying assembly 150 will be referred to as the first air circulation device 153, the air circulation device 173 of the cleaning assembly 170 will be referred to as the second air circulation device 173 and the air circulation device 106 of the exhaust collector 100 will be referred to as the third air circulation device 106.

The flow rate of the third air circulation device 106 can be higher than each of the first and second air circulation devices 153, 173. The flow rate of the third air circulation device 106 can be higher than the combined flow rates of the first and second air circulation devices 153, 173. For example, the flow rate of the first air circulation device 153 of the drying assembly 150 is typically 400 m ³ /hr. The flow rate of the second air circulation device 173 of the cleaning assembly 170 is typically 60 m ³ /hr. In an instance, the flow rate of the third air circulation device 106 of the exhaust collector 100 is 1000 m ³ /hr. Advantageously, the flow rate of the third air circulation device 106 is higher than that of of the first and second air circulations devices 153, 173 in order to maintain a negative pressure inside the exhaust collector 100 for the removal of gases and/or contaminants out of the printer 200, even in situations where the external exhaust system 400 is not operating. The flow rates of each of the first, second and third air circulation devices 153, 173 and 106 are typically preprogrammed. However, in an alternative embodiment, each of the first, second and third air circulation devices 153, 173 and 106 may be communicatively coupled to the control system 180 which may be configured to alter the flow rates of any of the first, second and third air circulation devices 153, 173 and 106 in real time, optionally in response to measurements acquired by the pressure sensor 125.

In-use, upon initiation of the printer 200, i.e. when the printer 200 adopts an on operating state, the third air circulation device 106 of the exhaust collector 100 is also configured to adopt an on operating state. For example, the third air circulation device 106 is configured to adopt an on operating state at all times whilst the printer 200 is also on. The first air circulation device 153 of the drying assembly 150 is typically only configured to adopt an on operating state when the drying assembly 150 is activated for drying the printed ink upon the substrate, such that any evaporated ink in the form of vapour will be removed by the first air circulation device 153 to the exhaust collector 100. Accordingly, when the drying process is complete, the first air circulation device 153 is typically configured to adopt an off operating state. Similarly, the second air circulation device 173 of the cleaning assembly is typically only configured to adopt an on operating state when the cleaning assembly 170 is activated for cleaning the print head assembly of the printer 200 subsequent to the printing of the ink upon the substrate. Accordingly, when the cleaning process is complete, the second air circulation device 173 is typically configured to adopt an off operating state. The cleaning assembly 170 is typically configured to adopt an on operating state subsequent to the printing of the ink upon the substrate. To this end the cleaning assembly 170 and the drying assembly 150 may be configured to adopt their on operating states respectively at substantially the same time, consequently the first and second air circulation devices 153, 173 may also be configured to adopt their on operating state at substantially the same time also.

As mentioned previously, the exhaust collector 100 comprises the pressure sensor 125 which is configured to measure the air pressure within at least one of the exhaust collector 100, the printer 200 and/or the surrounding environment outside of the printer 200. The pressure sensor 125 is typically communicatively coupled to the control system 180 which is itself can be communicatively coupled to at least one of: the drying assembly 150, cleaning assembly 170 and exhaust collector 100. In an embodiment, such as that shown in Figure 11 , the pressure sensor 125 is configured to measure at least the the air pressure within the exhaust collector 100 and the air pressure of the surrounding environment outside of the printer 200. As a result of the air circulation devices 106, 153 and 173 the air pressure within the exhaust collector 100 should be at a negative pressure, i.e. it should always be lower than that of the air pressure of the surrounding environment outside of the printer 200 to prevent the flow of gases out of the printer 200 into the surrounding environment, where the fumes, released as a result of the evaporation of the solvent ink, may pose a potential health hazard to personnel in and or around the printer 200. If the pressure sensor 125 measurement indicates that the air pressure within the exhaust collector 100 is equal to or greater than the air pressure within the surrounding environment outside of the printer 200, the control system 180 is configured to cause the printer 200 to adopt an off operating state. Advantageously, the pressure sensor 125 operates as a safety device which is configured to prevent the release of the gases generated by the processes of the printer 200 into the surrounding environment, where they might pose a potential health hazard to personnel in and or around the printer 200.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the drying assembly 150 and/or cleaning assembly 170 may further comprise a sensor configured to detect the presence of particular gases and/or contaminants, wherein the first and second air circulation devices 153, 173 may be configured to adopt an on operating state when the level of the measured gas and/or contaminant exceeds a predetermined threshold. Figure 12 is a flow diagram showing a method of printing a PCB substrate embodying the second aspect of the present invention generally indicated by the reference numeral 500. The method comprising the steps of: Providing a PCB substrate 501 ; printing photosensitive patterns on said substrate using an inkjet printer 503; drying said photosensitive patterns on said substrate using a drying assembly 505; cleaning a printer head assembly of the inkjet printer using a cleaning assembly 507; and exhausting gases from the printer 200 using an exhaust collector 509.

It will be understood that while exemplary features of a method of printing a PCB have been described, that such an arrangement is not to be construed as limiting the invention to such features. The method may be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. In one mode, the method is implemented in software, as an executable program, and is executed by one or more special or general purpose digital computer(s), such as a personal computer (PC; IBM-compatible, Apple-compatible, or otherwise), personal digital assistant, workstation, minicomputer, or mainframe computer. The steps of the method may be implemented by a server or computer in which the software modules reside or partially reside.

Generally, in terms of hardware architecture, such a computer will include, as will be well understood by the person skilled in the art, a processor, memory, and one or more input and/or output (I/O) devices (or peripherals) that are communicatively coupled via a local interface. The local interface can be, for example, but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art. The local interface may have additional elements, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, to enable communications. Further, the local interface may include address, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriate communications among the other computer components.

The processor(s), i.e. of the control system, may be programmed to perform the functions of the method for printing a PCB. The processor(s) is a hardware device for executing software, particularly software stored in memory. Processor(s) can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a primary processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with a computer, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macro-processor, or generally any device for executing software instructions. Memory is associated with processor(s) and can include any one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, memory may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Memory can have a distributed architecture where various components are situated remote from one another, but are still accessed by processor(s).

The software in memory may include one or more separate programs. The separate programs comprise ordered listings of executable instructions for implementing logical functions in order to implement the functions of the modules. In the example heretofore described, the software in memory includes the one or more components of the method and is executable on a suitable operating system (O/S).

The present disclosure may include components provided as a source program executable code (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When a source program, the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory, so as to operate properly in connection with the O/S. Furthermore, a methodology implemented according to the teaching may be expressed as (a) an object-oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedural programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++, Pascal, Basic, Fortran, Cobol, Ped, Java, and Ada.

When the method is implemented in software, it should be noted that such software can be stored on any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer- related system or method. In the context of this teaching, a computer-readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer-related system or method. Such an arrangement can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer- based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this disclosure, a "computer-readable medium" can be any device that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. Any process descriptions or blocks in the Figures should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the disclosure to the exact form disclosed. While specific examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize various modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure. For example, while processes and blocks have been demonstrated in a particular order, different implementations may perform routines or employ systems having blocks, in an alternate order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, supplemented, added, moved, separated, combined, and/or modified to provide different combinations or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of alternate ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in sequence, these processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in parallel or may be performed at different times. The results of processes or blocks may be also held in a non-persistent store as a method of increasing throughput and reducing processing requirements.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.