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COMPACT DISC
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
A Graphic Explanation of the Manufacturing
Steps Used to Create Compact Discs
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How the Process Begins
![](/graphics/CD1.gif)
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How CD's are Reproduced
1. Glass Master
From the
Customer's data, the CD Glass Master is produced.
- An optically ground glass disc is rotated with a 1/10th
micron thick layer of Photoresist which is then exposed by a
laser. The laser "writes" or exposes a pattern of
pits on this thin layer, transferring the information from
the master image. The disk is developed (the exposed parts
are etched away), it is silvered, resulting in the actual
pit structure of the finished disc.
2. Father
The
master is then electroplated with nickel which, when separated
from the master, forms a metal negative or "father".
3. Mother
The father could be used to replicate CD's but would wear out
too soon. Instead, several "mothers" (or positives)
are made by plating onto the father.
4. Stamper
In a third plating stage, each mother is used to create a number
of stampers, which are actually used to mold the pit structure
onto the CD's.
5. Clear Disc
Compact discs are made similarly to conventional records using
injection molding techniques and a stamper.
6. CD-ROM Disc
The information surface is coated with a micron thick layer of
aluminum to provide a reflective surface.
- This is the surface which is actually read by a CD Player.
The reflective surface is then protected with a lacquer
coating. The disc label is then printed directly onto the
disc.
© Cinram used with permission.
Copyright ©
2002-03 CD Solutions Inc., All Rights Reserved.
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