Components Can be Printed Directly on the PCB

We all know the methods for mounting ICs on PCB, mainly including through hole (THT) and chip (SMT). In addition to IC, there are many other components that need to be installed on the PCB, such as resistors, capacitors, relays, transformers, and so on. There are various installation methods, such as vertical plug-in, horizontal plug-in, inverted plug-in, horizontal plug-in, embedded plug-in, and so on.

So many kinds of components, so many methods, and the difficulty of PCB production can be known. Therefore, the process of manufacturing PCB is extremely complicated. It requires many processes, specialized personnel to operate, and it takes a long time to make it, not to mention other processes such as testing. So, in today’s advanced technology, is there any way to improve its production efficiency?

Among the various new technology products, the most interesting is 3D printing. Pictures, food, materials, and even cars, bridges can all be realized by 3D printing. As we have mentioned before, European and American countries have developed 3D printers that can print circuit boards. Although they have not yet become mainstream, they have been put into use. I believe they will be popularized in the near future. However, the PCB printed by the printer is only the substrate, and the components must be installed separately. Is there a way to print the components together when the PCB is printed?

Nano Dimension, a 3D printer manufacturer, has launched the DragonFly2020 3D printer, which uses an inkjet deposition and curing system and self-developed AgCite nano-particle conductive silver ink to complete the printing of multilayer circuit boards within a few hours. Now there is a new function that can directly embed electronic components in the process of circuit printing!

In addition to increased efficiency, this new feature has three advantages. First, inserting electronic components during the circuit printing process can protect their mechanical properties, temperature and avoid corrosion. Secondly, the embedded electronic components are interconnected by 3D printed conductive ink, avoiding the use of soldering processes, and improving the quality and ease of use of the PCB. Third, direct printing without complete packaging of electronic components creates conditions for the creation of ultra-thin PCB boards.

The development of science has made the world more exciting. In the future, factories may not even have assembly lines. All the devices can be integrated, printed and manufactured in one brain at the same time!

XPCB Limited is a manufacturer specializing in the production of high-precision double-sided, multi-layer and impedance, blind buried vias, and thick copper circuit boards. The products cover HDI, thick copper, backplanes, rigid-flex combined, buried capacitance and buried resistance, Golden Finger and other types of circuit boards, which can meet the needs of customers for various products.