Methode’s Inkjet Printable Conductive Ink Allows Printing of Circuits on Polyester with No Secondary Curing

Methode Development Company, a business unit of Methode Electronics, Inc., announces that its conductive inkjet printable ink can now print circuits directly onto treated polyesters. The ink, formulated for thermal and piezo inkjet systems, makes it possible for engineers to print working electrical circuits, right from their desktops – facilitating product development, prototyping, and manufacturing processes. With this technology, scale-up for high volume manufacturing can be easily achieved.

Methode’s water-based #9101 ink has excellent adhesion to polyester substrates. The inkjet formulation contains conductive silver nano-particles, and does not require secondary curing or additional processing. Near full conductivity is achieved within a few minutes of printing. The ink is RoHS-compliant and negligible volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are created during printing, alleviating the need for specialized ventilation during application.

The addition of treated polyester substrates significantly expands the growth potential in the flexible circuit, membrane switch, RFID and photovoltaics markets. These markets have always required an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing alternative that inkjet printing provides. The treated polyester adds to Methode’s full line of substrates - none of which require thermal processing - including coated papers and synthetic substrates, such as Teslin.TM

A development kit is available that allows engineers to create functional electrical circuits with a thermal inkjet desktop printer. The kit includes 3 substrates, a thermal inkjet printer, a cartridge filled with the 9101 conductive ink, a printer maintenance kit, and an owner’s manual. The cartridge simply replaces the existing black cartridge on the desktop printer. The desktop print head is the same head used for industrial print systems, allowing a direct path for production scale-up. The price of the kit is $1,850 with replacement 9101 ink cartridges available.

For more information on Methode’s inkjet printable conductive ink technology, or to place an order, please contact Emil Millas, Sales Manager, Methode Development Company: Phone: (708) 457-3222, Email: emillas@methode.com.

About MDC: Methode Development Company is a leader in the materials development and application of ink technology in the microelectronics industry. Products include conductive and insulating inks, position sensing resistor elements, cermet and polymer thick film components and circuits, carbon fiber heaters, Sonicrimp® technology, and EMC shrinkMate. Methode Development Company is located in Chicago, IL.

About Methode Electronics: Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI) is a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Czech Republic, Germany, Malta, United Kingdom, China, Philippines, Singapore and India. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, radio remote control, sensing and optical technologies to control and convey signals through sensors, interconnections and controls. Our business is managed on a segment basis, with those segments being Automotive, Interconnect, Power Products and Other. Our components are in the primary end markets of automotive, computer, information processing and networking equipment, voice and data communication systems, consumer electronics, appliances, aerospace, defense and industrial equipment industries. Further information can be found on Methode’s Web site www.methode.com.

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