3D Printed Electronics – Towards Sustainable Mechatronic Systems

This presentation will review the current status of 3D Printed Electronics (3D PE) and the move towards sustainable mechatronic systems. The use of 3D PE processes offers significant advantages in terms of product form, functionality and economics as well as sustainability by way of simplifying the materials mix, improved materials efficiency and compressed process chains that localise manufacture. The fundamental technology combining free-form, 5-axis 3D printing of mechanical and electronic components, Surface Mount Device (SMD) placement and pre- and post-processing techniques, is described. The State-of-the-Art of the manufacturing process chain is demonstrated by way of a proof-of-concept study of a novel lighting product. Additional use cases for the medical, automotive and wearables industries will be briefly presented.