Three-Dimensional (3D) Printing of Electronics onto Additive Manufacturing Components

EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION FOR LARGE INTERFERENCE FITS

The MTC has developed an alternative manufacturing process for 3D printing of electronics that is able to deposit conductive tracks on conformal geometries for common and high-performance 3D printing polymers. The technique utilises an ultra-short pulse laser activation, surface chemical treatment and a conventional electroless plating process.

The Challenge

Conventional manufacturing of electronic systems have limited design freedom and customisation. Additive manufacturing (AM) technique can address these issues but cannot yet achieve the required functionality, miniaturisation and reliability for modern electronic systems. 

The laser-based printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing technique can significantly reduce the processing time/steps while improving the circuitry miniaturisation, design customisability and environmental impact. Such advantages make this technique a robust and reliable candidate for building conformal PCB prototype units with a shorter lead time.

MTC'S SOLUTION

• The MTC conducted a comprehensive series of trials and investigations to activate the surface of the 3D printable high-performance polymers through laser surface modification and laser surface chemical activation approaches.

• Electrical resistivity and adhesion performance of the tracks were tested in the MTC electronics lab and results were in line with the PCB manufacturing industry requirements.

• A functional 555 timer circuitry and a conformal antenna design were fabricated using this technique.

THE OUTCOME

• Improvement in geometrical design freedom.

• Processing of both 3D printed and injection moulded thermoplastic polymers.

• Rapid prototyping of industrial embedded electronic systems and Internet of Things.

• Enhanced electrical conductivity (compare to other ink-based techniques).

• Increased processing speed and productivity.

• Reduction in the environmental impact of manufacturing by reducing waste, energy usage, and need for space compared to traditional factory processes.

• Introduction and connections to laser system manufacturers to support their projects.

BENEFITS TO THE CLIENT

The MTC has enabled the capability for 3D printing of electronics on common, and high-performance 3D printing polymers via two laser-based surface activation solutions:

• The Laser Induced Surface Metallisation process which deposits a thin, fast drying, coating of a proprietary precursor material onto a 3D printed part, utilises an ultra-short pulsed laser to selectively activate the precursor into a seed layer followed by an electroless copper plating to form thick conductive tracks.

• The second technique focuses on the creation of conductive patterns through laser surface modification of the 3D printed polymer, followed by a surface chemical treatments and subsequent autocatalytic electroless copper plating on the laser surface treated areas.

• The global Laser Direct Structuring Antenna market was valued at £1.08 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach £2.2 billion by 2029, registering a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. We believe the laser induced surface metallisation technique can further strengthen the role of the laser direct structuring in this market.