Leading European electronics manufacturer Exception PCB has embarked on a four year research partnership with two leading UK universities – Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt and London’s Greenwich universities.

Exception has partnered with the universities to fund two graduate students to support its research into the megasonic plating process – an area of innovation for printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers. The partnership will utilise the students’ education and expertise to enable Exception to develop new technologies that support high density interconnect (HDI) solutions.

Focusing specifically on the megasonic process, the students will work with standard chemistry and utilise custom plating baths with transducers, to enable micro-vias and blind-vias of varying diameters and depths to be plated.

With support from the Government, both universities will put forward suitable students for the scheme. Heriot-Watt University will provide a student to join Exception for the life of the programme as an engineering doctorate with a view to joining the company permanently as part of the advanced technology team. Greenwich University will supply a PHD student to support the foundations of the programme, also with the opportunity to join permanently on completion of studies.

In addition to this exciting program, Exception has worked closely with the University of Hertfordshire to secure two students as part of their gap year (Year in Industry). These students will gain valuable expertise within a manufacturing environment, supporting the advanced manufacturing and quality teams at Exception’s Tewkesbury plant.

Garry Myatt, sales and marketing director at Exception PCB, said: ”This is the first time Exception has undertaken the support of graduate students. Establishing these links is an important step forward for us. As a manufacturer of world-class HDI technologies we need to invest continually in research and development to maintain our competitive edge. We’re excited about this partnership that will keep us at the forefront of technological development in our specialist field of electronics.”

Exception is currently interviewing potential candidates and preparing facilities for the programme, with the scheme due to commence in January 2009.

Ends