Products > PulseForge 3200

Novacentrix:: PulseForge Tools for Printed Electronics :: Photonic Curing :: Flash Annealing :: Sintering Nanoparticles

PulseForge® 3200

Development and Production: Metal Inks Processing

Pulse Forge 3100: Production tool for printed electronics designed to sinter metal inks at room temperature on substrates such as PET, PVC, paper and capable of roll-to-roll production processes.

The PulseForge 3200 is a higher processing rate, lower power version of the PulseForge 3300,for curing printed conductive inkson low-temperature substrates. Applications include conductive interconnects and patterns for printed photovoltaics, displays,smart packaging, and RFID.The PulseForge 3200 is designed for roll-to-roll and conveyor-based material processing. Whereas ovens require minutes, the PulseForge tool sinters metallic inks in milliseconds on low-cost substrates such as PET and paper.This tool is ideal for full-volume production as well as application development. The PulseForge 3200 is now CE marked for sale in EU countries.

Application Performance and Versatility

Effective with the most widely used print methods, including inkjet, flexo, gravure, aerosol, and screen print.
Processed substrates include PET, paper, polyethylene, and polyimide.
Conductivity of inks processed in <1 sec with PulseForge 3200 meets or exceeds oven performance.
Resistivities below 15 milliohms/square have been attained with the PulseForge 3200 on PET.
PulseForge tools enable the use of new ink materials, including Metalon®copper inks.

Volume manufacturing

The PulseForge 3200 commercial processing tool dries and sinters printed electronics in a wide-web format with widths from 150 mm (6″) to greater than 2 m (79″).The tool is auto-synchronized to line speeds from 1 to over 100 meters/minute (300 FPM). The high pulsed power system achieves very high temperatures for very short times in the conductive film, without damaging the underlying low-temperature substrate; e.g. plastic film or paper.

Facilities and Integration

The 3200 is consists of small-footprintmodules, most of which can be located away from the mainmanufacturing line.This eases space constraintsin the critical production area.
The modules are connected via umbilicals that housethe required power, cooling, and communication cables.
PulseForge tools can be fully integrated with existing or built-for-purpose print systems and production lines.

Pulse Waveform Shaping

The PulseForge3200 achieves High Temperature Processing on Low Temperature Materials™ using pulse-width modulated light with exposures as short as 30us.This is accomplished using precise real-time control of the current delivered to proprietary lamps. The pulse duration and energy waveform can be adjusted on-the-fly by feedback on product processing and performance sensors.

SimPulse Thermal Simulation Software

Developed especially for PulseForge tools and applicable to all thermal processing methods, this integral package is an invaluable design tool for predicting processing results.

Lamp Module: The module houses the lamp heads and is built to be mounted over roll-to-roll web-handling systems for continuous or semi-continuous film processing. The Lamp Module:
The Lamp Module houses the lamp heads and is built to be mounted over roll-to-roll web-handling systems for continuous or semi-continuous filmprocessing. Alternatively, the module can be integrated with a conveyor system for processing discrete product items.

Power Module: The module contains the power supply equipment. Generally, one Power Module is required per lamp head and may be located up to 30 feet from the Lamp Module. The Power Module:
The Power Module contains the power supply equipment. Generally, one Power Module is required per 12 inches and may be located up to 15 feet from the Lamp Module.

Operator Controls Module: The control contains the system monitor and control computers. Switchable operator displays may be placed at the production line, at an operators console station, and/or remotely with the Power Module. Operator Controls Module:
The Operator Control Module contains the system monitor and control computer. Multiple industrial touchscreen operator displays may be placed at the production line,or remotely at an operators console.

Sample Processing by Request

Contact NovaCentrix to arrange to have your application materials processed by a PulseForge 3200, or other PulseForge tool, at our facility.

SUMMARY

The PulseForge 3200 is able to meet or exceed oven performance in a small fraction of the time, process a wide variety of material/substrate combinations, process large areas, integrate with existing and new roll-to-roll systems or conveyors, and work with challenging low-temperature substrates like PET and paper. Because of these attributes, the PulseForge 3200 is the right manufacturing tool for printed electronics developers and manufacturers seeking to cut product costs and improve product innovation.