Optomec 3D printing technology for electronic devices

Optomec has introduced an electronics packaging solution designed to meet the growing demand to miniaturize mobile and wearable products. Called the Aerosol Jet HD2, the operating principle of the 3D printer is based on the company’s patented Aerosol Jet 3D Electronics Printing technology.

The printer is designed to produce high-resolution circuitry and reportedly is able to dispense conformal 3D interconnects between die, chips, components, and substrates.

The Aerosol Jet solution works by precision jetting, or “printing,” an extremely fine mist of nanoparticle-based inks onto a surface. The HD2 can print features as narrow as 10 microns with placement accuracy less than 5 microns. The nanoparticles are then sintered together, forming a solid metal conductor of copper, gold, or silver. Insulating and adhesive materials can also be applied by the process with a variety of common integrated-circuit packaging dielectric materials.