IMPACT - Integrated Manufacture of Polymers and Conductive Tracks

Integrated Manufacture of Polymer and Conductive Tracks (IMPACT) is an exciting project focussed on creating an innovative 3D printer that combines deposition of polymer based materials and electrically conductive ink; as well as integrating a pick and place system capable of handling electronic modules within a particular dimensional envelope.

This industrial-grade machine is focussed on enabling UK industry to manufacture saleable electromechanical products that are functionally stable and are finished to a ‘market ready’ standard. The applications for this technology are broad ranging but could include the production of Internet enabled sensors; facilitate distributed manufacturing in third world countries or military environments; and even be used to create educational products or healthcare devices to enhance quality of life.

There are no machines on the market that accurately and reliably combine these two dissimilar materials to create production-grade results. Current 3D print technology is based on a Cartesian coordinate system (X,Y,Z), depositing one layer of material on top of another in a single plane to create a 3D object. This method has inherent limitations that affect surface finish, geometric tolerance and robustness. IMPACT will overcome these challenges so that industry can cost-effectively develop new products that are suitable for real market applications.

This innovative print technology will be supported by the creation of an internet-enabled platform that can remotely integrate and control the 3D Printer. It will also incorporate an intelligent design for manufacture (DFM) function that is able to assess the design of a given product, evaluating its suitability for production using the machine, allowing users to optimise their products.