Press release

Presteigne, UK
19th January 2004

LABTECH INVESTS IN NEW GENERATION LASER MACHINE

Installing a new generation UV laser and profiling machine has significantly enhanced the capability of a leading Welsh microwave printed circuit board manufacturer.

Labtech, which has a workforce of 90 at its state-of-the-art headquarters in the border town of Presteigne, specialises in the manufacture of high-end microwave printed circuit boards and MMIC packaging solutions for the global defence, space and telecommunication markets.

The new laser, supplied by German supplier LPKF, will allow Labtech to meet the growing demands for high tolerance PCB requirements.

John Priday, Labtech's Engineering and Quality Executive, explained: “Labtech handles very thin substrates that have pockets for MMIC (Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits) location with tolerances +/-25 microns or better.

“The new capability of the laser machine will allow Labtech to comfortably meet and exceed these demanding requirements. We can also achieve excellent pocket registration - small pockets can be produced with virtually no radii in the corners - and a depth tolerance of less than +/-25 microns.”

Labtech is one of the companies forming Intelek plc, which supplies leading edge Microwave Circuit Technology to the world's electronics and aerospace markets. Intelek is one of the first companies to be listed on the London Stock Exchange's techMARK Index.

For more information, please contact:

Bob Lowther — Labtech
Tel: +44 (0)1544 260093
Email: b.Lowther@labtech.ltd.uk
Web: www.labtechcircuits.com

Products Available

• Metalbacked PCBs
• Precision s/sided & d/sided softboard PTFE PCBs
• Multilayer Circuit Boards (PCBs)
• DLVAs
• PIN diode switches
• Multioctave broadband amplifiers
• TDM modules
• Active & passive microwave components
• Microwave thin film circuit manufacture
• RF machining & box build assembly