Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new technology for creating printed circuit boards using a conventional desktop printer. Having spent only 300 dollars, you will be able at home to make printed circuit boards of almost any complexity.
In the manufacture of conventional printed circuit boards, an electrically conductive foil pattern is applied to the solid insulating surface of the dielectric plates. Among other things, the printed circuit board contains mounting holes and pads for mounting various components. Making such boards at home is almost impossible due to the complexity of the process.
The secret of the new technique lies in special conductive inks based on silver nanoparticles. This ink was created in 2012, but still has not been applied in a practical sense. Researchers have already printed quite workable electrical circuits on the surface of gummed paper, plastic film, as well as on photo paper with a glossy finish. Unfortunately, this technology does not allow printing schemes on fabric or on magnetized coatings.
The print speed of the PCB based on the new ink is about 60 seconds. The creators of this technique claim that this is by far the fastest and cheapest method of manufacturing printed circuit boards in the world.
“We believe that our approach will open up new horizons for enthusiasts who would find it much more convenient to print several variants of a printed circuit board and test them before putting it into mass factory production,” says Gregory Ebode, one of the employees at Georgia Tech. “Now the tools for the manufacture of printed circuit boards in the home are available to everyone. Thanks to our technology, anyone can experiment without resorting to costly production. ”
The cost of a printer board suitable for printing varies around $ 80, the cost of one 100-milliliter bottle of ink is $ 200. A special empty cartridge for refilling will cost you another $ 10. As a result, for $ 300 you can really assemble a printing press at home for the production of electrically conductive circuits.
“One such bottle of ink will allow you to print about 10 square meters of printed circuit boards, which is a very good result, will you agree?”
The development of this project is actively supported by the University of Tokyo, as well as Microsoft’s research division. Therefore, it is possible to say with firm confidence that the conductive inks developed in the USA will soon be sold in stores.
Based on gizmag.com
The article is based on materials .
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