Neotech AMT GmbH of Nuremberg, Germany has announced the successful integration of the Fused Deposition Modelling process into the low cost PJ15X 3D Printed Electronics (3D PE) platform. The addition of FDM functionality into the printer allows the combination of classical 3D printing, for creating structural parts, with 3D electronic functionality with 5 axis of build freedom.
Neotech has been developing 3D PE mass production systems for directly writing electronics onto conventionally manufactured parts since 2009 with the first mass production program running since mid-2015. By adding FDM capability, the platforms now have the ability to build the mechanical structures whilst embedding electronics between layers or into the outer 3D surfaces. The system software slices parts in any given direction eliminating the need for support structures. The freedom to add FDM filament to complex surfaces can also be used to reduce the anisotropy of mechanical properties compared to standard 3-axis builds.
“Neotech has been pioneering the development of 3D Printed Electronics and our patented technology has a proven industrial track record” explains Dr. Martin Hedges, Managing Director of Neotech. “We now seeing the convergence of 3D Printed Electronics with classical 3D Printing and this new development will enable novel applications for integrated and embedded electronics whilst address the needs for lower volume, rapid manufacture within a single platform. Furthermore the addition of FDM to our production level 5 axis print platforms will allow parallel processing of 4 parts simultaneously to scale to higher volume manufacturing than is currently possible.”
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