The preferred technology for imaging today is the 1.5º collimation angle. Providing reliable, repeatable 50µ lines and spaces. Aside from the obvious benefits, collimation has limitations.
Disadvantages:
(1) Lamp life – 1,000 hrs.
(2) High cost for lamp replacement.
(3) Limited to maximum substrate size.
(4) High maintenance cost.
(5) Cost to replace the collimated mirrors.
(6) Must be located in a class rated clean room
(7) Not recommended for LPISM
(8) High Initial investment
(9) Lamps prone to catastrophic failure, with risk to collimating mirrors
(10) Large foot print
LED Scanning Array:
Advantages:
(1) Lamp life – 50,000 Hrs
(2) No limitation on substrate size.
(3) Collimation angle 1.5º regardless of substrate size.
(4) Low cost maintenance.
(5) Low cost to replace lamps.
(6) Fast lamp change out time. [ 3-5 minutes ]
(7) Recommended for Dry film, LPI & LPISM.
(8) Small footprint Standard system: 3m²
(9) Low heat generation.
(10) Spectral wave length specific.