Is Analog’s Time Running Out?

According to Vertullo, new advances simultaneously address some of the traditional drawbacks and bottlenecks associated with solvent technology and compete with thermal on its sustainable home turf. “Thermal is much quicker than solvent-based processing because you’re not soaking the plate in solvent,” he admits, adding that drying has always been the Achilles heel of the solvent process. To counter this, a proprietary technology developed by JV Imaging uses visible white light and cool air to dry the plates. On the environmental front, “we’re very concerned about prolonged operator exposure to solvents,” Vertullo says. Consequently, “we use a high molecular rate aromatic solvent with a very large molecule that won’t absorb into the human system, so it’s safe from the standpoint of toxicology.”