Production Methods

Printing on paper and other materials
The most frequently used printing techniques suitable for Printed Electronics are screen and/or flex graphic printing. In the laboratory at PEA Manufacturing in Norrköping is a label printing press Nilpeter FA3300/5 which makes it possible to print 5 colours in screen or flex. This press prints using the system roll-to-toll and is used in various tests and for smaller quantities. It is also possible to print on sheet paper in which case screen printing is preferred.

The printing process comprises, in principle, of transferring common colours and coverings from the graphic industry to solutions involving organic isolators, semi conductors and conductors. The creation of Printed Electronics occurs at the same pace with sequence printing of substrate, patterning/deposition of active electrodes, deposition of electrolyte and finally a protective cover in printing.

Creating patterns on thin material
Dry Phase Patterning (DPP) is a method developed to create laminated flexible foil which is produced at high speed giving cost effectiveness as well as being environmentally friendly. This product is used, amongst other things, in the electronics industry. The process involves the mechanical adaptation of materials and procedures used in roll-to-roll manufacturing technologies (R2R) and can be combined with other manufacturing processes for further development. Line density of less than 100 upm is possible.

The material which most often comprises of PET/Aluminium is patterned and worked in a process which differs from conventional etching methods. The manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and the waste material can easily be salvaged and re-cycled. Production performance of over 150 metres/minute is possible. More information is available by clicking on to www.acreo.se