Upgrade of Printer for 3D electronics fabrication

Contracting authority (Tampere University) is publishing direct award notice for 'Upgrade of Printer for 3D electronics fabrication'.

BACKGROUND INFO The Laboratory for Future Electronics (LFE), led by Prof. Matti Mäntysalo at Tampere University, investigates technologies and solutions related to energy-autonomy (storage and harvesting), sensors, conformably wearable electronics (soft/stretchable, on-skin, textile), and hybrid system integration. Strong emphasis is placed on scalable, low-cost manufacturing methods such as printing as well as the integration of printed components and circuits with more conventional component assembly methods. LFE explores also new device and circuit approaches based on printable organic and metal oxide semiconductors. NEED The research group has a Neotech PJ15X BT 3D printer (in use since year 2021). It combines multiple printing technologies with 5-axis motion control enabling complex 3D printing. It is suited for R&D, prototyping and product development operations. Its motion range is 400-300-140mm (X-Y-Z). The raw materials can be introduced by single and two component dispense heads, high viscosity piezo jet head or aerosol print system allowing line printing down to 20 µm. It also includes a 3D printing FDM (fused deposition modeling) module. However, users are increasingly meeting the limits of the current equipment: • Challenges in controlling the edges and border areas to get homogeneous ink layers • No UV or IR curing • Limited design ability with the current program • Problems with tool calibration • Missing substrate camera for print analysis CONCLUSION FOR DIRECT AWARD 3D Printed electronics related assets/technology of former Neotech AMT GmbH is nowadays owned and operated by KRONOS Mechatronics GmbH. The Kronos/Neotech upgrade of PJ15X to Helios Printed Electronics System meets requirements for fabricating complex 3D electronics circuits. It fits also within project budget (PII FIRI) limitations. Although printers suitable for 3D electronics fabrication are available from other companies (Octomec Inc, nScrypt Inc.), they do not meet the requirement for compatibility with existing equipment. The selected device from Kronos/Neotech will allow to use the same frame, single and two component fluid dispensers, piezo jet head, aerosol jet dispenser, 3D FDM module and temperature controller. These will be serviced at Kronos while the new equipment is installed. The upgrade includes a new platform enclosure, redesigned electrical and mechanical interfaces containing new holders and connectors for existing toolset, a new compact rotary swivel unit (4/5th axis), a laser-based tool calibration unit, a substrate camera for advanced vision operations with print analysis, an upgraded real-time control system, an upgrade to Aion-5X CAD/CAM software as well as UV and IR light curing with closed-loop-control.