One Small Step for an Ant …
LaserMicronics assumes LDS production for Festo BionicANTs
The Festo BionicANT’s body and legs are produced by 3D printing. Thanks to LPKF ProtoPaint LDS, traces and electronic components can be placed right on the “skin" (© Festo AG & Co. KG).
3D MIDs reduce space requirements and weights of component assemblies by serving as component substrates, antennas, and interconnection elements. Thanks to laser technology, it is possible to change the circuit layout without using any additional tools simply by changing the patterning layout data. Up to now LDS MIDs have been widely used as antennas in smartphones and tablet computers as well as in the automotive industry, medical technology, and consumer electronics.
Festo used a sophisticated procedure for the BionicANTs. The body and the legs were created by 3D printing and coated with LPKF ProtoPaint LDS, a paint containing LDS additives to allow further processing of the coated component as an LDS-doped plastic. LaserMicronics GmbH, a specialist in technology scouting and manufacturing service provision for the LDS process, performed the process development and production tasks.
With the 3D MID technology, it was possible to accommodate all mechanical and electronic functions on a product just 13.5 cm in length. The bionic technology demonstrator shows how autonomous individual components in a networked system can comply with different rules and still work together to solve a complex task - here, high-tech design and high-tech production go hand in hand.
Download
Press release (pdf)
Imageauthor
LaserMicronics GmbH
Image utilization
Photo may be used for reports provided the source is mentioned. Resale to third parties is prohibited.More Information
LaserMicronics GmbH
Osteriede 9a
D-30827 Garbsen
Germany
Osteriede 9a
D-30827 Garbsen
Germany
Tel.:
+49 (0)5131 90811-0Fax:
+49 (0)5131 90811-29E-Mail:
Contact form