(19)

(11)

EP 0 869 861 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/42 (21) Application number: 97909417.0 (22) Date of filing: 14.10.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B23K 1/ 005( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/002825 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/016344 (23.04.1998 Gazette 1998/16)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES FR GB IT (30) Priority: 15.10.1996 GB 19960021484 (71) Applicant: PDR Microelectronics limited Surrey RH1 5JY (GB)	(72) Inventor: GIBBS, Roger, Hans,13 Gregory Close West Sussex RH10 7LB (GB) (74) Representative: Price, Anthony Stuart  Frank B. Dehn & Co., European Patent Attorneys, 179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)