Abstract: A method for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate uses control data derived from a circuit schematic, CAD file, Gerber file or files or equivalents, to operates a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate and produces control data to effect the circuit printing. The method optionally uses a layout translation module configured to accept PCB multilayer circuit board files and convert multilayer circuit board layout data of the PCB multilayer circuit board files to printing data files for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate to produce a printed circuit effecting functionality of the multilayer circuit board layout data.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to print a circuit board using conductive and nonconductive printing materials in accordance with parameters. A database stores information correlating characteristics of printing materials with shelf life and/or age of the printing materials, and/or environmental conditions. The apparatus either prompts operator to make printing parameter adjustments or automatically optimizes printing parameters based on information stored in the database and the environmental conditions. The apparatus optionally further optimizes printing parameters based on age of a print head and positioning mechanisms.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate, has a table for supporting the substrate, a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate, a positioner configured to effect movement of the function head relative to the table, and a controller configured to operate the function head and the positioner to effect the printing of conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate. The apparatus optionally has a layout translation module configured to convert PCB files or multilayer PCB files to printing data for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate. The apparatus has a testing head to verify conductors which operates automatically. The translation module also prints nonconductive material component alignment areas and nonconductive material substrate stiffeners.

Abstract: A method for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate uses control data derived from a circuit schematic, CAD file, Gerber file or files or equivalents, to operates a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate and produces control data to effect the circuit printing. The method optionally uses a layout translation module configured to accept PCB multilayer circuit board files and convert multilayer circuit board layout data of the PCB multilayer circuit board files to printing data files for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate to produce a printed circuit effecting functionality of the multilayer circuit board layout data.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate, has a table for supporting the substrate, a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate, a positioner configured to effect movement of the function head relative to the table, and a controller configured to operate the function head and the positioner to effect the printing of conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate. The apparatus optionally has a layout translation module configured to accept PCB multilayer circuit board files and convert multilayer circuit board layout data of the PCB multilayer circuit board files to printing data files for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate to produce a printed circuit effecting functionality of the multilayer circuit board layout data.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate, has a table for supporting the substrate, a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate, a positioner configured to effect movement of the function head relative to the table, and a controller configured to operate the function head and the positioner to effect the printing of conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate. The apparatus optionally has a layout translation module configured to convert PCB files or multilayer PCB files to printing data for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate. The apparatus has a testing head to verify conductors which operates automatically. The translation module also prints nonconductive material component alignment areas and nonconductive material substrate stiffeners.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate, has a table for supporting the substrate, a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate, a positioner configured to effect movement of the function head relative to the table, and a controller configured to operate the function head and the positioner to effect the printing of conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate. The apparatus optionally has a layout translation module configured to accept PCB files or multilayer PCB files to printing data for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate. Conductive traces having varying thickness may be produced on a common substrate. Conductive regions are printed to electrically isolate traces and optional to present an approximately level surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate, has a table for supporting the substrate, a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate, a positioner configured to effect movement of the function head relative to the table, and a controller configured to operate the function head and the positioner to effect the printing of conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate. The apparatus optionally has a layout translation module configured to accept PCB multilayer circuit board files and convert multilayer circuit board layout data of the PCB multilayer circuit board files to printing data files for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate to produce a printed circuit effecting functionality of the multilayer circuit board layout data.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a printed circuit board on a substrate, has a table for supporting the substrate, a function head configured to effect printing conductive and non- conductive materials on the substrate, a positioner configured to effect movement of the function head relative to the table, and a controller configured to operate the function head and the positioner to effect the printing of conductive and non-conductive materials on the substrate. The apparatus optionally has a layout translation module configured to accept PCB multilayer circuit board files and convert multilayer circuit board layout data of the PCB multilayer circuit board files to printing data files for controlling the function head to print conductive material and nonconductive material onto the substrate to produce a printed circuit effecting functionality of the multilayer circuit board layout data.

Abstract: A method is described of controlling contamination of a surface exposed to a carbonaceous material and ionising radiation, such as EUV radiation, DUV radiation or electrons. The method comprises cyclically supplying to the surface a first gas comprising an oxidising species, for example NO, for reacting with carbonaceous deposits formed on the surface from the carbonaceous material, followed by a second gas comprising a reducing species, for example CO, for reacting with oxidising species on the surface.