The demand for small, hand-held electronics with more features is driving smaller, thinner, and more dense flex and rigid printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Depaneling, or the laser singulation of printed circuit boards, offers numerous advantages to a traditional bit router or mechanical saw, including:

• Non-contact cutting process to eliminate stress to the PCB and its delicate components
• Reduced micro-cracks and reduced delamination for longer PCB life
• Greater flexibility to cut unusual shapes
• Faster set up for smaller production batches
• More consistent laser accuracy over the life of the tool
• Narrower cuts and less dust generated during the laser singulation process
• Fewer burrs