Optomec introduces novel fully automated, high-volume production machines for both Metal Additive and 3D Printed Electronics

Optomec Inc., a leader in production solutions for Metal Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printed Electronics, will showcase two new Additive Manufacturing machines at the RAPID + TCT exhibition in Chicago, September 13 - 15, booth E8210. Both of these machines are specifically designed for high volume production, incorporate automated part-handling options and are designed with operator-friendly production software for error-free job sequencing in a manufacturing setting.

The first of these machines is the HC-TBR, a compact, all-in-one Metal Additive Manufacturing machine that uses Directed Energy Deposition (DED) to build or repair 3D metal parts with a wide variety of alloys. In particular, this new machine is capable of processing reactive metal alloys such as titanium and aluminum at high volume in an oxygen-free chamber to ensure superior mechanical properties. Using advanced laser optics, the machine can remotely change the size and power profile of its laser beam, enabling significant reductions in print times. This is a first for the industry. The machine was designed in response to manufacturers in several industries that are seeking lower cost methods of producing and repairing titanium components as the industrial use of titanium continues to grow worldwide.

The second machine to be highlighted is the new Aerosol Jet HD2 3D Electronics Printer. The Aerosol Jet HD2 uses Optomec's patented Aerosol Jet solution to produce high resolution circuitry (with features as small as 10 microns), including a unique ability to dispense conformal 3D interconnects between die, chips, components and substrates. This interconnect approach is all the more powerful due to its improved performance at high signal frequencies, enabling longer range and reduced power consumption in emerging segments such as 5G communications, automotive radar and defense applications. As a primary application, the Aerosol Jet HD2 can serve as a drop-in replacement for the decades-old method of connecting electrical components with wire bonds, which suffer from several critical deficiencies including space inefficiency, high scrap and poor signal performance.

"Both of these new systems are aimed at high volume production and are designed to be integrated into work cells or automated production lines," said Mike Dean, VP of Marketing. "But the machine's performance and reliability is really only one part of the equation for production. The other part is process development time. That's why Optomec also offers turn-key process recipes to help manufacturers get up and running in weeks instead of months."

Optomec is a privately-held, rapidly growing supplier of Additive Manufacturing systems. Optomec's patented Aerosol Jet Systems for printed electronics, and LENS and Huffman brand 3D Printers for metal component production and repair, are used by industry to reduce product cost and improve performance. Together, these unique printing solutions work with the broadest spectrum of functional materials, ranging from electronic inks to structural metals and even biological matter. Optomec has delivered more than 500 of its proprietary Additive Manufacturing systems to more than 200 marquee customers around the world, for production applications in the electronics, energy, life sciences and aerospace industries. Our users include countless blue-chip manufacturing companies, such as GE, Samsung, Raytheon, Siemens, Lockheed and LiteOn, as well as the US Air Force, US Navy, US Army and NASA. For more information, visit optomec.com.

LENS is a registered trademark of Sandia National Labs; Aerosol Jet is a registered trademark of Optomec, Inc.