Nano Dimension’s 3D printed electrical circuits can now contain embedded electrical components, through placement, as a part of the printing process. The 3D printing of PCBs with conductive ink and dielectric ink is possible thanks to the DragonFly 2020. The company introduced its successful proof of concept of PCB inkjet printing, and there are several advantages to this method. First, the reliability of the PCB is improved, because the electronic components can be maintained internally. This keeps them from being exposed to potentially dangerous external environments, and protects the PCBs from damages related to temperature, corrosion, and mechanics.
PCB 3D printed by Nano Dimension as seen at formnext [Photo: Sarah Goehrke for 3DPrint.com]
In addition to keeping the PCBs protected, because the electrical components are actually embedded with the printed board while it’s being 3D printed, the prior, necessary soldering process is now obsolete. The connectivity between these components now takes place as part of the actual 3D printed process, so a mediating soldering material once it’s done being printed is no longer a necessary part of the process.
Finally, this new process allows for printing on electronics components “without their complete packaging (printing directly on the dye).” This in turn supports thinner, more fully protected PCBs being created. While this new capability to 3D print PCBs that already contain embedded electrical components will be available and supported in future versions of the DragonFly 2020, it has not yet been added to the current iteration of the printer.
Nano Dimension has already filed a patent application for this new 3D printing development with the US Patent and Trademark Office. The company believes that this new capability will be an important development for many industry sectors, including aerospace, consumer products, defense, and more.
Next week at SOLIDWORKS World 2017, featured presenter Nano Dimension, and its partner FATHOM will be exhibiting together in Booth 118 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The DragonFly 2020 3D printer will be there too, along with several functioning circuits printed by the DragonFly, including antennae and molded interconnect devices (MIDs). 3DPrint.com will be on the scene, bringing you all the latest in 3D printing news. Discuss in the Nano Dimension forum at 3DPB.com.