We apply functional printing to 3D parts

Functional printing is based on the deposition of functional materials on different substrates, whether it be paper, plastic or composites, to provide new functions to the final parts. The most commonly used are ink-jet printing, screen printing, flexography or micro-dispensing.

This technology offers many benefits to industry: reduction in weight and volume, making products smart and increasing flexibility of certain components such as conductor glass (ITRO substitution) or new flexible heating systems.

These processes are revolutionising the relationship in the TIER 2 and TIER 3 transport supplier chain: increasing the value of the parts with simple processes and eliminating manual or intermediate processes that were previously carried out by certain assembly companies. The objective is to make companies more competitive, giving added value to parts that initially did not have any function.

Our colleague, Isabel Obieta, states that "the ability to print directly on 3D parts is particularly challenging". At TECNALIA, we are addressing this challenge through two lines of research: through in-mould electronics, printing the electronics on a generally flexible substrate and later thermoforming, injecting or carrying out an on-site polymerisation process; and micro-dispensing substrates with the complex shape. The most common substrate, in addition to glass or PET, are innovative ceramics, fibreglass and carbon or metal composites.

Development of new printing processes

In the European Inspired initiative, we are working on scaling the synthesis of nanomaterials and their derived inks to electronic printing applications; more specifically, in the fine tuning of printing processes (screen printing, ink jet printing, micro-dispensing and thermal and laser curing).

Alongside the company from Gipuzkoa, Delta, we have developed a flexible roll-up that interacts with the environment. We are currently working with the aeronautical firm Aernnova on the creation of functional printing technologies.

One of our objectives is to strengthen the development of new printing processes on 3D substrates, such as in some variants of screen printing, and in the introduction of more functions through inks, instead of using hybrid technologies in which the batteries or some components are not printed. The future is fully printed.

TECNALIA at the LOPEC Fair presenting various projects based on the Functional Printing technology.