Spatial electronics pushing back production limits

Smart products Spatial electronics pushing back production limits

23.10.2022 Source: VDW

New generations of 3D printers could see the arrival of entirely new types of products on the market in five to ten years. What is innovative about these printers is that they can simultaneously print electronic functions such as light-emitting diodes and conductor paths.

Apple Airpod, tiny electronics — although not printed.
(Source: Apple)

3D electronics is giving rise to a whole new range of possibilities because it is opening up entirely new degrees of spatial freedom. In the future, we will simply be able to print individual hearing aids, prostheses or even smartwatches. The electronic components are adapted to the shape of the product — and not vice versa.

Electronic devices in particular are subject to contradictory pressures: costs need to be kept low, yet more and more functions are being integrated and the devices are becoming ever smaller. A key driver of this development is the rapidly evolving Internet of Things, which is resulting in more and more smart devices with ever new functions. This, in turn, is accelerating the need for new manufacturing technologies. Here, spatial electronics can offer completely new possibilities for integrating mechanical, electrical/electronic, thermal or even optical functions. In the future, 3D printers will be able to create innovative devices with sensors, actuators, displays or even antennas.

The October issue of Let's Talk Science will feature the manufacturing technologies and applications of the existing “mechatronic integrated assemblies” (MIDs) and the possibilities for new product functions based on them. Finally, Markus Ankenbrand takes a look into the future and reveals how far researchers are along the road to the fully additive manufacturing of electronic products.

Hear how this can transform the world of products, and put your questions to the expert. Register for Let's Talk Science, the monthly online seminar for EMO Hannover 2023, at 8:30 am on 26 October 2022.

(ID:48686188)

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Stand vom 23.03.2021

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planckstr. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://support.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.