Optomec, an established leader in Additive Manufacturing solutions for 3D Metal Printing and 3D Printed Electronics, has received new patents covering the use of Aerosol Jet for producing 3-dimensional micro-structures. This novel capability enables the production of miniature elements with a resolution down to 15 micron features – approximately 1/5 the width of a human hair, and smaller than the resolution of the human eye. The capability has been demonstrated for a range of materials, including polymers, metals and composite structures. These new grants are the latest in an IP portfolio that totals more than 75 patents issued, with global protection including the US and key markets across Asia and Europe.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629005886/en/
Examples of Aerosol Jet 3D Printed Micro-Structures, which include high overhang and high aspect-ratio printing, as well as demonstration printing “on pins and needles.” Photo courtesy of Optomec, Inc.
The new 3D micro-printing patents present a method for fabricating three-dimensional structures using in-situ heating or UV illumination to modify the properties of aerosol droplets as they are jetted onto a target surface. In the case of the UV embodiment, light at least partially cures photopolymer droplets, or alternatively causes droplets of solvent-based nanoparticle dispersions to rapidly dry in-flight, and the resulting increased viscosity of the aerosol droplets facilitates the formation of free-standing 3D shapes. Lateral resolutions of 15um have been achieved, with layer thicknesses of 100 nanometers and aspect ratios of >100X for structure heights measured in millimeters.
Dr. Michael Renn, Chief Technology Officer, is the inventor on these new patents, and has more than 50 patents to his credit in total. “Optomec continues to invest heavily in its core technology, seeking to extend the already broad range of applications for its Aerosol Jet solution,” said Dr. Renn. “The capability demonstrated with our 3D Printed Micro-structures work is already seeing potential applications in Semiconductor Packaging and Medical Device markets.”
For more information, see:
US Patent No. 10,994473 – Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Structures by In-Flight Curing of Aerosols
China Patent No. ZL201680020145.5 – Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Structures by In-Flight Curing of Aerosols
Optomec is a privately-held, rapidly growing supplier of Additive Manufacturing systems. Optomec’s patented Aerosol Jet Systems for printed electronics, and LENS and Huffman brand 3D Printers for metal component production and repair, are used by industry to reduce product cost and improve performance. Together, these unique printing solutions work with the broadest spectrum of functional materials, ranging from electronic inks to structural metals and even biological matter. Optomec has delivered more than 500 of its proprietary Additive Manufacturing systems to more than 200 marquee customers around the world, for production applications in the electronics, energy, life sciences and aerospace industries. Our users include countless blue-chip manufacturing companies, such as GE, Samsung, Raytheon, Siemens, Lockheed and LiteOn, as well as the US Air Force, US Navy, US Army and NASA. For more information, visit optomec.com.
LENS is a registered trademark of Sandia National Labs; Aerosol Jet is a registered trademark of Optomec, Inc.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629005886/en/