LPKF Laser & Electronics AG (original) (raw)

Chronicle

From the developers workshop to a worldwide company

1975 - The Patent

In the mid 1970's the patent engineer Juergen Seebach developed a mechanical procedure for the production of printed circuit boards and a milling depth limiter. From this development came the registration of a worldwide patent in 1976.

1976 - Establishment

Of the LPKF CAD/CAM Systeme GmbH and the introduction of the first prototyping systems. Apart from the foundation of the company in Hanover in 1976, the first production of a printed circuit board system began - the LPKF 39.

1982 - Introduction of the milling/drilling plotter with an Apple Computer

In addition the first PCB CAD system, ColourCam was introduced to the market in 1984. One year later followed a system for IBM with its own diagram map.

1984 - Structure of an international sales network

With the establishment of the branch in the USA the foundation stone for a worldwide sales network was put in place.

1985 - Innovative complete system for in-house prototypes

Apart from the mass production of the printed circuit boards the advancement of the milling drill machines was offered to complete system advanced until 1984 a prototyping. Up to this time the machine could only mill angular conductive strips. With the development of a CAM program called ColorCAM roundness could now be milled on the printed circuit board.

1989 - Innovations in laser and propulsion technology

In 1989 LPKF develops a procedure for the laser based printed circuit board structuring. A first prototype would follow.

1991 - Establishment of LPKF Motion and Control GmbH

The development of the laser systems advanced the development of innovative drive and control techniques. Thus together with the technical University Ilmenau, LPKF Motion and Control GmbH was created.

1993 - Success with laser technology

Apart from the laser based printed circuit boards structuring the production of SMD stencils moved to the centre. LPKF presents the first Stencil Laser 470x380.

1994 - Establishment of the new production site in Slovenia

1998 - LPKF is listed at the Stock Exchange

In this year the newly created LPKF Lasers & Electronics AG was first registered at the New Market.

2001 - A quarter of a century...

25 year anniversary of LPKF Laser and Electronics AG.

2003 - Our goal is the third dimension

Since 1996 projects have been started in three dimensional circuit carrier and chip size packaging. The development of the MicroLine Laser advanced until in 2000 the first MicroLine Laser was produced. MID technology is trend setting and in our established application centre is constantly developed.