Method and apparatus for forming multi-layered circuits using liquid crystalline polymers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing high layer count, multi-layer circuits which includes fabricating a fixture having an opening therein for placement within a press. A material stack, particularly a material stack having multiple layers of liquid crystalline polymer, is placed within the opening of the fixture before activating the press to laminate the material stack positioned within the fixture.

1 . A method for forming multi-layered circuits comprising the steps of: 
 providing a press having top and bottom platens;    positioning a fixture having an opening therein between the top and bottom platens;    positioning a material stack within the opening in the fixture; and    applying pressure to the material stack by applying pressure to the top and bottom platens.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of positioning a fixture having an opening therein first comprises the step of creating a fixture with an opening having a desired shape, size, and depth.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of placing the fixture and the material stack within a vacuum bag and applying a vacuum to the vacuum bag before the step of applying pressure to the material stack.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of applying heat to the top and bottom platens during the step of applying pressure to the material stack.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of positioning a top caul plate between the top platen and the fixture and a bottom caul plate between the bottom platen and the fixture before the step of positioning the material stack.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of positioning a top separator plate between the top caul plate and the fixture and a bottom separator plate between the bottom caul plate and the fixture before the step of positioning the material stack.