3D Electronic Devices With Additive Manufacturing
November 29, 2022 | Shavi Spinzi, Nano DimensionEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Imagine fabricating PCBs without the hassle of drilled vias and metal plating. Imagine PCBs with near-perfect registration. If we take it to the next stage, imagine drawing electronics in 3D space.
There is a way to do all this with additively manufactured electronics (AME). We just need to start to think in 3D. This will allow us to abandon the 2D limitations that we have become so used to and expand our horizons so that we can climb to higher levels of performance.
In this article, I will explore the two fundamental capabilities that are the cornerstones for drawing electronics in 3D space, which is where AME technology and 3D design capabilities converge.
The First Cornerstone of AME: Isolation and Conductive Materials
More than a decade ago, we saw the rise of printed electronics (PE), which is printing of conductive traces on a predefined substrate. The substrate is fixed, can be planar or a 3D shape and the printing process—either inkjet, aerosol jetting, or any other method—places the conductor on top of it.
AME differs from PE because it uses more than one material. The simplest configuration for AME consists of two materials: one conductive and one isolation/dielectric. It has the potential to grow to more than two materials by adding combinations of different conductive and isolation materials as well as sacrificial materials to build channels and different complex structures.
Why Do We Need 3D PCB Structures?
The first stage of AME was to imitate traditional PCB 2D structures by building multilayer boards (MLB), plated through-holes (PTH), and microvias to prove that AME can replace "traditional" PCB processes. It certainly is doable, but it does not achieve the full potential and capabilities of 3D AME.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the November 2022 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Emerald Technologies Acquires Optimum
05/13/2024 | Emerald TechnologiesEmerald Technologies announced its acquisition of Optimum Design Associates, Inc. (Optimum), a leading electronic design and engineering services company. Terms were not disclosed.
AEye Announces Partnership with Leading Automotive Electronics and Vision Solutions Provider, LITEON
05/13/2024 | BUSINESS WIREAEye, Inc., a global leader in adaptive, high-performance lidar solutions, today announced that the non-binding Letter of Intent (“LOI”) announced in March is with LITEON Technology Corporation and is intended to provide AEye with a customer channel and industrialization partnership.
IDTechEx Explores Printed Electronics in Electrified and Autonomous Mobility
05/13/2024 | IDTechExElectrification, autonomy, and vehicle ownership saturation are causing a technological revolution in the automotive sector. These automotive meta-trends are driving drastic changes in electronic component requirements and present a high-volume opportunity for printed electronics to capitalize on.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Magnalytix's Services and Trends in the Electronics Industry
05/10/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOMike Bixenman, president of Magnalytix, explains Magnalytix's services, including third-party validation, test boards, electrical testing, and comprehensive reports. He also discusses emerging trends such as power electronics and reliability. Standards and design improvements also form part of this conversation.
Podcast Review: On the Line with… Designing for Reality
05/09/2024 | Duane Benson, Positive Edge LLCAs a technologist, if I were forced to come up with just one recurring theme that I might call a professional “nemesis,” it would be the difference between theory and reality. A lot of technology we have at our disposal works well in theory but falls short when reality hits. That’s not the only reason I chose to listen to and review On the Line with… Designing for Reality, featuring a series of conversations with ASC Sunstone’s Matt Stevenson, but it certainly helped that the title caught my eye.