Option Technologies

What is “Mass Lam”?

Mass Lam is the supply of bonded inner layers to PCB manufacturers who convert them into finished multilayer PCBs by adding the outer layers. In the 80’s and 90’s, mass lam was generally large quantities (hence the “Mass” part of the name). Mass lam is no longer about volume. Option’s product is small-to-medium quantities of high-tech mass lam in quick turns.

What is “Minilam”?

Minilam is a term that Option coined in the mid-nineties to distinguish our offering from that of other mass lam manufacturers. It simply means small-to-medium quantities of mass lam.

How can you offer Quick Turns? You are 3000 miles away from our facility.

Don’t give it a second thought. Option has customers all over the world. We use FedEx who offer a next day by 10:30am service anywhere in North America and UPS who offer a next day service anywhere in Europe.

How can I get a price?

You can either phone, fax or email (LINK to email) us with your board specification or just email your data files (if you have them). Use whichever method suits you best. If we need any more information we’ll ask for it.

What about freight and duty charges?

Option takes care of all that. They are included in our prices . When we do a quotation for you, what you see is what you pay. There are no extra or hidden charges.*
*Except for UK customers where the freight is charged separately.

Do you make finished printed circuit boards?

Absolutely not. This would put us in conflict with our customers.

What do I need to do to place an order with Option?

Assuming that we’ve already done a quote for you, just email your data files with an order number to our sales department  (LINK to email). If any information is missing, we’ll ask you for it. We never proceed unless we are 100% sure of your requirements.

What data formats can I send to you?

DPF or Gerber are best for us. If you can’t supply these, let us know and we’ll find a way to convert it from your format.

I want to panelize the circuit before I send it to you, with my standard tooling holes, fiducials etc. Is this OK?

Absolutely, we will leave your features in place, and will arrange our tooling holes around them so that they don’t clash.

I want you to panelize the circuit and add my tooling holes to the panel. Is this OK?

No problem. We are happy to work in whichever way suits you best.

Can you supply masslam with and without drilling?

Although most customers require us to drill the masslam, we can supply it without drilling. If you order undrilled masslam, we will drill 3 tooling holes in the panel at a size specified by you so that you can drill them when you receive them.

Can we visit you?

We are very proud of our factory and offer a permanent open invitation for all customers and potential customers to visit us anytime. Manchester and Liverpool are the closest airports and we are happy to collect you and organise any hotel reservations etc.

What approvals do you have?

We have UL and ISO9001:2000 certification. We are happy to supply copies of our certificates on request.