High throughput digital inkjet deposition
Sensor Films Incorporated (SFI) has announced a new, high speed roll-to-roll configuration of its award-winning Starlight® digital manufacturing and printing system, enabling high volume digital deposition of decorative graphic and functional inks on flexible substrates.
The new Spitfire® Digital Manufacturing and Printing Platform is a roll-to-roll ink jet deposition system that uses industrial ink jet technology to pattern materials such as UV inks, resists, conductors and dielectrics serving the digital display, specialty graphics and printable electronics industries. As a means for the mass production of the next generation of flexible, low cost devices for rapid prototyping and high throughput manufacturing.
“The Spitfire, like its sheet-fed sister product – the Starlight – offers numerous advantages,” said Peter Hessney, President, Sensor Films Inc. “Spitfire’s digital manufacturing capability delivers rapid prototyping and improved workflows, and allows for quick changeovers, reduced physical inventory and economical short run jobs.” “The Spitfire’s versatility enables the mass production of everything from high-value electronic components to full-colour decorative graphics,” Hessney said.
Among Spitfire’s other features: High resolution deposition of functional, decorative and stretchable inks Printable textures to 200 microns Print speeds of 200-feet per minute The core of the Spitfire system is rugged piezo ink jet head architecture, Hessney said.
Utilizing stainless steel construction, Spitfire’s print heads are compatible with virtually any type of ink chemistry including solvent, aqueous, and UV inks. Printed and Flexible Sensors 2015-2025 “This opens up new opportunities to formulate functional materials for digital deposition to create components and devices that were previously cost prohibitive. Such new materials and processes will enable new products that are fast and efficient to produce and can be done so at low cost,” Hessney said.