Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of thermally dimensionally stabilizing a printed circuit board wherein the printed circuit board has an epoxy fiberglass insulating base and a metal conducting layer bonded to at least one side of the insulating base comprising prior to drilling and forming the conductive metal layer into conductive metal path by selective removal thereof, transporting the printed circuit board thru a thermal shocking intense heat source having a temperature of about 425° F to about 450° F for a period of time at least equal to that required to stress relieve the epoxy fiberglass base and promote dimensional movement between the epoxy, fiberglass and metal conducting layer which the printed circuit board would otherwise experience during the subsequent process steps including the shear displacement between the insulating base and conductive metal layer which would otherwise occur after the selective removal of the conductive metal layer to form conductive metal paths and less than the time required for the bonded conductive metal layer to separate from the insulating base, said thermal shocking fluid having a boiling point temperature in excess of 450° F.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of thermally dimensionally stabilizing a printed circuit board wherein the printed circuit board has an epoxy fiberglass insulating base and a metal conducting layer bonded to at least one side of the insulating base comprising prior to drilling and forming the conductive metal layer into conductive metal path by selective removal thereof, transporting the printed circuit board thru a thermal shocking intense heat source having a temperature of about 425° F to about 450° F for a period of time at least equal to that required to stress relieve the epoxy fiberglass base and promote dimensional movement between the epoxy, fiberglass and metal conducting layer which the printed circuit board would otherwise experience during the subsequent process steps including the shear displacement between the insulating base and conductive metal layer which would otherwise occur after the selective removal of the conductive metal layer to form conductive metal paths and less than the time required for the bonded conductive metal layer to separate from the insulating base, said thermal shocking fluid having a boiling point temperature in excess of 450° F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thermal shocking heat source is an infrared source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thermal shocking heat source is a thermal shocking fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the transporting step includes immersing the printed circuit board into the thermal shocking fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of, prior to immersing, baking the epoxy and fiberglass base of the printed circuit at a temperature of about 325° F for a period of 4 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the printed circuit board is immersed in the thermal shocking fluid for a period of about 20 seconds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the printed circuit board is immersed in the thermal shocking fluid for a period of about 3 to 4 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the thermal shocking fluid is a hot oil bath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the thermal shocking fluid is hot solder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of drilling the thermally stabilized printed circuit board to produce apertures therethrough and through certain locations of the conductive metal paths.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of chemically processing the conductive metal layer of the thermally dimensionally stabilized printed circuit board into conductive metal patterns having the drilled apertures extending through certain locations therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the chemical processing includes the step of forming an image on the conductive metal layer representing the conductive pattern with a material which resists chemically etching of said conductive metal layer in the areas representing the conductive pattern and which permits chemically etching of the remaining areas of the conductive metal layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the chemical processing includes the steps of chemically etching the printed circuit board forming the conductive pattern from said conductive metal layer; and stripping the etching resist material from the remaining conductive material pattern.