David Savastano, Editor04.12.10
As Printed Electronics & Photovoltaics Europe 2010, held by IDTechEx, prepares to open its doors tomorrow in Dresden, Germany, exhibitors are looking forward to showcasing their latest products for the PE field.
Much of the latest developments are occurring in equipment. For example, NovaCentrix will be displaying its PulseForge 3000 tool in Europe.
“This is the first time we will have a PulseForge 3000-series tool on exhibit in Europe,” said Stan Farnsworth, vice president of marketing for NovaCentrix. “We have had them in the U.S. since 2008 with our PulseForge 3100. In Dresden, we will have a PulseForge 3300, designed for silicon and semiconductor processing, and an example of the new PulseForge 3200, designed for metal ink processing. Both systems are designed for CE Mark compliance. Both tools are designed for development use as well as production, and will be operational in the exhibit hall.”
Smartcoater, Coatema Coating Machinery’s latest product, will be showcased in Dresden.
“Printed Electronics Europe 2010 will be one of the big events in larger area printed and organic electronics,” said Thomas Kolbusch, vice president of Coatema Coating Machinery. “As one of the pioneers in this field, with installations at VTT, Holst Centre, IPMS Dresden, IAP Potsdam and several other leading R&D institutions worldwide, Coatema Coating Machinery is presenting a new developments for small scale, cost efficient and multifunctional R&D roll-to-roll equipment. The new unit, called Smartcoater, combines different options of coating, printing and laminating systems, like doctor blade, slot die, impregnation, micro roller and engraved roller printing.
“This five-in-one option for coating and printing methods is unique worldwide,” Kolbusch said. “This is performed on a working width of 100 mm which is minimizing the use of ink in the R&D process. The Coatema Smartcoater is equipped with a 300 mm long electric heated oven in EEx layout. A laminating station provides the possibility to include encapsulation processes in the Smartcoater. No compromise was done in reproducibility, this small scale, cost efficient and multifunctional unit, comes equipped with three motors, load cells and a backward running operation mode. This makes small sample production an easy operation. The whole unit is enclosed and can be also offered as glove box The exclusive roll out will be at the printed electronic in Dresden, and there you will be able to see the Minicoater the first time.”
Kolbusch added, “As Dr. Andreas Giessmann, owner of Coatema Coating Machinery, stated, ‘This will be only one highlight of new equipment to come in 2010.’ Coatema is ramping up a new range of lab and pilot coaters in 2010 to support the ongoing success of the Lab Solutions program of Coatema. All units can be tested and rented for Coating and Printing in the Coatema R&D center, with 11 pilot coaters and one production line one of the biggest in the world. The scale-up specialists at Coatema are looking forward to meet at an exciting exhibition in Dresden and do not miss the opportunity to meet our experts on coating, printing and laminating and discuss your projects for printed electronics.”
Enfucell, Ltd. is making advancements in its printed battery technologies.
“We are showcasing our internationally recognized SoftBattery technology, a thin, flexible 1.5 and 3 volt environmentally friendly power sources optimally utilized in disposable and short lifetime products,” said Marko Hanhikorpi, CEO of Enfucell, Ltd. “Together with our batteries, we are creating demonstrators for our customers and partners, which can utilize printed electronics demonstrator platforms and build up integrated manufacturing chains for final PE applications.”
Douglas Goldstein, business director, electronic displays for CPFilms Inc., noted that CPFilms recently developed a 25 micron performance barrier film for printed electronics applications requiring barrier properties substantially greater than commodity grade packaging films.
“Designed for markets including thin film photovoltaics, flexible displays, and printed batteries, this film is also suitable for higher-end applications such as roll-to-roll produced lighting and displays,” Goldstein said. “The WVTR is in the 10(-2) range (Mocon) and additional functionality such as adhesion promotion and UV absorption, can be customized to meet specific application needs. CPFilms is also developing alternative transparent conductive films utilizing coatings that complement its traditional offering of OCTM optically clear, ITO indium tin oxide conductive films. Tailored to specific application requirements, these optically clear, solvent resistant materials improve the flexibility of conductive films. Specifically developed for applications in flexible displays, touch screens and thin film photovoltaics, these films feature high visible light transmission, low haze and very consistent conductivity.”
Greg Jablonski, president of PChem Associates, Inc., said that PChem will be introducing its capability to flexographically print fine lines cost effectively in Europe.
“We had wanted to introduce our gravure ink in Europe, but unfortunately, we are not at that stage yet and we are going to need two to three months more,” Jablonski added. “We introduced our capability at IDTechEx in San Jose and came away with some good opportunities. We are expecting the same for the European market.”
Much of the latest developments are occurring in equipment. For example, NovaCentrix will be displaying its PulseForge 3000 tool in Europe.
Smartcoater, Coatema Coating Machinery’s latest product, will be showcased in Dresden.
“Printed Electronics Europe 2010 will be one of the big events in larger area printed and organic electronics,” said Thomas Kolbusch, vice president of Coatema Coating Machinery. “As one of the pioneers in this field, with installations at VTT, Holst Centre, IPMS Dresden, IAP Potsdam and several other leading R&D institutions worldwide, Coatema Coating Machinery is presenting a new developments for small scale, cost efficient and multifunctional R&D roll-to-roll equipment. The new unit, called Smartcoater, combines different options of coating, printing and laminating systems, like doctor blade, slot die, impregnation, micro roller and engraved roller printing.
“This five-in-one option for coating and printing methods is unique worldwide,” Kolbusch said. “This is performed on a working width of 100 mm which is minimizing the use of ink in the R&D process. The Coatema Smartcoater is equipped with a 300 mm long electric heated oven in EEx layout. A laminating station provides the possibility to include encapsulation processes in the Smartcoater. No compromise was done in reproducibility, this small scale, cost efficient and multifunctional unit, comes equipped with three motors, load cells and a backward running operation mode. This makes small sample production an easy operation. The whole unit is enclosed and can be also offered as glove box The exclusive roll out will be at the printed electronic in Dresden, and there you will be able to see the Minicoater the first time.”
Kolbusch added, “As Dr. Andreas Giessmann, owner of Coatema Coating Machinery, stated, ‘This will be only one highlight of new equipment to come in 2010.’ Coatema is ramping up a new range of lab and pilot coaters in 2010 to support the ongoing success of the Lab Solutions program of Coatema. All units can be tested and rented for Coating and Printing in the Coatema R&D center, with 11 pilot coaters and one production line one of the biggest in the world. The scale-up specialists at Coatema are looking forward to meet at an exciting exhibition in Dresden and do not miss the opportunity to meet our experts on coating, printing and laminating and discuss your projects for printed electronics.”
Enfucell, Ltd. is making advancements in its printed battery technologies.
“We are showcasing our internationally recognized SoftBattery technology, a thin, flexible 1.5 and 3 volt environmentally friendly power sources optimally utilized in disposable and short lifetime products,” said Marko Hanhikorpi, CEO of Enfucell, Ltd. “Together with our batteries, we are creating demonstrators for our customers and partners, which can utilize printed electronics demonstrator platforms and build up integrated manufacturing chains for final PE applications.”
Douglas Goldstein, business director, electronic displays for CPFilms Inc., noted that CPFilms recently developed a 25 micron performance barrier film for printed electronics applications requiring barrier properties substantially greater than commodity grade packaging films.
“Designed for markets including thin film photovoltaics, flexible displays, and printed batteries, this film is also suitable for higher-end applications such as roll-to-roll produced lighting and displays,” Goldstein said. “The WVTR is in the 10(-2) range (Mocon) and additional functionality such as adhesion promotion and UV absorption, can be customized to meet specific application needs. CPFilms is also developing alternative transparent conductive films utilizing coatings that complement its traditional offering of OCTM optically clear, ITO indium tin oxide conductive films. Tailored to specific application requirements, these optically clear, solvent resistant materials improve the flexibility of conductive films. Specifically developed for applications in flexible displays, touch screens and thin film photovoltaics, these films feature high visible light transmission, low haze and very consistent conductivity.”
Greg Jablonski, president of PChem Associates, Inc., said that PChem will be introducing its capability to flexographically print fine lines cost effectively in Europe.
“We had wanted to introduce our gravure ink in Europe, but unfortunately, we are not at that stage yet and we are going to need two to three months more,” Jablonski added. “We introduced our capability at IDTechEx in San Jose and came away with some good opportunities. We are expecting the same for the European market.”