NEW PATENTS
M+B Plating Racks Inc has been granted two new U.S. Patents during the last few months. U.S. PATENT # US 6,325,903 B1 was granted December 4th 2001. This patent covers the latest improvements made to it's Parallel Action Clamp which is already covered by U.S. Patent # US 6,267,856 B1. The latest improvement actually increases the clamp gripping power by up to 40% at the contact points when the clamp is vibrated at the correct frequency. This not only prevents the panel from being inadvertently released from the clamp, but it also eliminates all 'chatter' at the contact points that can cause problems at higher currents such as used with pulse plating. U.S. PATENT # US 6,342,138 B1 was granted on January 29th 2002. This patent covers the latest double-sided clip that can be used with our standard copper core racks. This clip allows current to be delivered from both sides of the panel being plated. This is sometimes advantage for customers using a direct metalization process. The clip also is very useful for flex and thin core materials as it offers a flat contact surface that does not twist or tear the material.

NEW PRODUCT & SERVICE
M+B PLATING RACKS INC are pleased to announce their new HALAR COATING service. During the last 2 months M+B have invested over US$100,000 in new state of the art powder coating equipment specifically for using the AUSIMONT HALAR COATING PROCESS. Our personnel have been fully Factory trained and certified by AUSIMONT USA. The new process is now in full operation. With this new service we are now able to offer our customers a full range of process baskets which often need to be coated. HALAR COATING is a hard Teflon based coating that offers superior electrical, mechanical, chemical & heat resistance properties. Its smooth surface also facilitates easy solution run-off, making it the preferred coating for all types of process baskets that need to be coated.

NEW AREA REPRESENTATIVE
M+B PLATING RACKS INC are pleased to announce that ETCHOMATIC of LOWELL MA have been appointed our new sales representatives for the New England area. ETCHOMATIC'S long history of professional quality service to the PCB industry in the New England area was a major factor in selecting them as our area representatives. MR Hank Bernardini will be the representative for our product line at ETCHOMATIC. ETCHOMATIC can be reached at Phone # 1 800 634 3006 Fax 1 978 656 9903. MR Bernardini can be reached at cell # 1 603 490 4622 e mail hbernardini@etchomatic.com