As Fast as the Wind LPKF ProtoMat S62 at Enercon GmbH

As Fast as the WindLPKF ProtoMat S62at Enercon GmbH

L P K F P rotoMat at E nercon GmbHThe parallels obtrude: both Enercon and LPKF ProtoMats are all about rotation – even if the impressiverotors of the international wind power specialists spin in a completely dimension. Aside from the tall towers,nacelles and blades they require quite a number of electronics to supply the extracted energy.Continued advancement is required to yield maximumperformance in all matters. At Enercon the Test SystemsDepartment is working on the company’s own,optimized equipment for inspecting and approvingpitch control units, power units or boards, e.g. controlorpower cards. Here Enercon has been relying on anLPKF ProtoMat S62 milling plotter since 2006.The minute Holger Lübben loads his layout data ontothe computer and clicks the structuring start button,things start moving: at speeds up to 62,000 rotationsper minute the system mills conductor paths into fullycoated materials, vias and finally cuts the PCB fromthe substrate material. The ProtoMat autoatically picksthe right tool. An LPKF-MiniContac RS quickly andreliably plates the through-holes in the PCB.The milling machine takes the layout data from theCAD program, turning them into functional PCBs. Itcan process materials such as plastic, hard paper,aluminum, FBE from one to 10 millimeters thick.But the LPKF ProtoMat is also quite handy for otherapplications: it can produce measuring adapters, componentpart fixtures, front panels and special signs forwind turbines throughout the world.Holger Lübben doesn’t want to give up his ProtoMatS62 – with one exception: after testing the more powerfulLPKF H100 ProtoMat he sees that model as aworthy replacement.Pictured:Front: Enercon produces prototypes and smallbatches of measuring devices in houseLeft: PCBs are inspected in the magazine tableAbove: The LPKF ProtoMat not only mills PCBs,but also adapters and fixtures. (Photos: Enercon)Enercon GmbHDreekamp 5 Telephone +49 (0) 4941 927-0D-26605 Aurich Fax +49 (0) 4941 927-109www.enercon.de E-Mail info@enercon.deLPKF Laser & Electronics AGOsteriede 7 Telephone +49 (0) 5131 7095-0,D-30827 Garbsen Fax +49 (0) 5131 7095-90www.lpkf.com E-Mail laser.sales@lpkf.comEnercon wind energy converters feature more than 25years of experience. Each wind energy converter followsthe latest design principles and features a sophisticatedgrid connection system. As longstanding marketleader in Germany, the company has installed morethan 16,000 wind energy converters in 30 countries,also making a good name for itself on an internationallevel.LPKF Laser & Electronics AG manufactures machinesand laser systems used in electronics fabrication, medicaltechnology, the automotive sector, and the productionof solar cells. The worldwide operating companyunites competences from laser technology and optics,drive and control technology with extensive experiencein the micromachining of materials.© LPKF Laser & Electronics AG · 09/2010