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  Thermals Management Materials Manufacture      

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As the world leader in the manufacture of metal matrix composites for thermal management applications PTMS utilizes the state of the art in powder metal technology. Whether the materials are blended in house or purchased to exacting specifications, PTMS maintains uncompromising dedication to continuous improvement in its engineered materials. Composition, analysis of trace elements, particle distribution, grain size, tap density, flow characteristics are continuously scrutinized and monitored.

Once released for production these materials are pressed to near net shapes. PTMS employs both mechanical and hydraulic presses in wide load ranges from 10 tons to 250 Tons. These state of the art digital presses allow fully automated operations and precisely maintain critical technological characteristics. This capability allowed PTMS  to pioneer near net shape substrates out of refractory metal powders. By controlling this operation in house PTMS has the ability to be a low cost provider by strictly regulating or containing its material usage, customizing tooling shapes and reducing or eliminating machining in its production of composite substrates.

After pressing, the parts are ready for sintering. PTMS has one of the largest furnace capabilities in the U.S. for sintering and infiltrating refractory composites. The company employs over 20 state of the art continuous and batch furnaces, which allow precision control of critical technological characteristics: density, microstructure, thermal conductivity, dimensional tolerance.



Ceramic Manufacture



 
Click on image for animation of ceramic process

The PTMS manufacturing process begins with exacting material control and selection. These materials are then ball milled under tight process controls prior to tape casting. PTMS has over the years developed proprietary formulations resulting in consistent dimensional control to 1 percent and flatness of .003” per inch after firing. In certain product types, however PTMS can achieve a flatness of .001” per inch when necessary. Using this green tape technology as a building block, PTMS produces a variety of multilayer ceramic packages utilizing solid conductive vias for Z-axis connections as well as post fire metallization when needed to meet today’s challenges of increased I/O termination, greater circuit density and higher thermal management. With our present technology 4 x 4 arrays of multilayer structure can be produced on a routine basis. PTMS's experienced engineering team with more than sixty years of cumulative experience in high density ceramic packaging stands ready to work with our customers for the best possible product design for volume manufacturing.


Plating


As a recognized leader in high precision plating for microelectronic applications PTMS  has three state of the art plating lines. One line is dedicated to electroless nickel and gold. Electroless nickel or gold is a chemical reaction that enables the user to design isolated traces in the manufacture of one’s circuitry and to eliminate the issues regarding high current density areas on the plating surface. PTMS also employs a state of the art high volume automated plating capability as well as extensive use of barrel plating for low cost solutions. In addition we have the capability of a manual plating line that can be used for development projects, prototype runs and very fine specifications that can be classified as “Out of the Norm” for most plating operations. We are known for solving those peculiar issues that occur with precise design demands.



 


Brazing and Assembly
Whether it is low temperature or high temperature, PTMS has the ability to braze metal to metal, ceramic to metal and ceramic to ceramic to exacting specifications and tolerances. By incorporating Sonic Scanning, Helium Leak Detection and a Scanning Electron Microscope, PTMS achieves a fundamental understanding of the brazed joint to ensure reliability. PTMS also has the ability to control the braze flow through years of experience and a dedicated engineering group committed to excellence. PTMS employs state of the art 3-D modeling CAD systems to precisely design and fabricate all brazing fixtures, significantly reducing lead time.



Prototyping


Due to the vertical integration of PTMS’s offerings, prototyping of critical programs can be done with short lead times. This capability offers the customer the opportunity to confirm their design integrity before placing it into volume manufacturing. Additionally, this capability offers PTMS the opportunity to work with its customers to ensure high yields when high volume manufacturing is introduced. Our engineering staff has years of experience and recognized capabilities in assisting with the design of units down to the component level. We take the time to evaluate and understand your project and will make recommendations with your budget and market conditions in mind. This will ultimately result in lower cost, higher reliability and on time delivery.






 

Design

As the recognized leader in thermal management PTMS has acquired years of experience in the area of thermal management, ceramics, brazing and packaging. This experience is offered to the customer to help them design solutions for their product problems. By working with PTMS design and development engineers in an open exchange under strict customer confidentiality, PTMS has been a significant contributor to the final design of many of the packages used by our customers. We have a full range of capabilities to exchange design ideas and data via electronic transfer.


 

 

 

 

 


Laboratory

PTMS has a multifaceted metallurgical and ceramic laboratory capable of full material characterization, failure analysis, and product development. By incorporating state of the art analytical equipment such as: a Scanning Electron Microscope with EDS/WDS, Optical microscopes, Dilatometers with operational range from -100 C to 1700 C, Sonic scanning equipment, Gross and fine leak equipment, Lead pull and Die attach capability, PTMS provides intensive analytical support to all of our customers.  As a part of our on-going commitment for quality excellence, our commitment to understanding materials and technological processes results in consistent quality and systematic cost reduction over the life of a program.