DKN Research, an engineering firm specializing in micro electronics and packaging technology, is now offering a Fine Silver Conductor Trial Kit (capable of producing fine lines down to 80 microns) to companies interested in producing high density thick film circuits. The Trial Kit provides a low cost practical solution for companies to experiment and overcome challengers with fine polymer thick film circuits and functional printable & flexible electronics. DKN Research successfully developed a broad range of technologies linked to advanced thick film circuits to target printable and flexible electronics. DKN Research can package a specific program that includes materials and equipment for all your application needs.
Polymer thick film circuits were always considered an economical solution, but performance levels from the printed circuit technology were sub par due to poor resolution and electrical conductivity. Traditional thick film circuits were intended for typical low end items such as keyboard membrane switches and touch panels on microwaves. Technical advances with ink materials and printing equipment over the last few years has trickled down, and the wiring capabilities from the new thick film circuits are closer to traditional etched copper circuits.
DKN Research has been developing a series of “Advanced Screen-Printing Technologies” and can build functional thick film circuits by partnering with equipment and material manufacturers. DKN’s Advanced Screen-Printing Technologies can produce fine silver traces down to 30 microns lines and spaces for double and multilayer circuits with 80 micron via holes. The conductivity of the new silver traces is one order higher compared to traditional thick film circuits. Surprisingly, the conductor traces are available for soldering, unlike traditional polymer thick film circuits where soldering is impossible. Additionally, the new Advanced Screen-Printing Technology makes it possible to build embedded passive components and EL-based optical components on flexible substrates. The Advanced Screen-Printing Technology is valuable in building new electronic devices such as high-density touch panel switches, functional sensor modules, large size signboards, flexible displays and more. The technology is also beneficial to build additional fine conductive traces on other circuit devices including multi-layer rigid boards, flexible circuits, ceramic circuits and monolithic IC chips.
The Advanced Screen-Printing Technology does not require a large investment in manufacturing equipment, and provides incredible capabilities for traditional printed circuit board manufacturers or screen-printing shops. A few industry experts are skeptical with these capabilities, so DKN Research put together a Fine Silver Trace Trial Kit for companies interested in expanding their business into fine thick film circuits and printable electronics. The ability to understand the capabilities is at your fingertips from simple trials. The trial kit includes special silver ink, flexible substrates and a processing manual with circuit samples. It is possible to generate 100 microns (4 mils) fine silver conductor traces on flexible substrates; the only prerequisite is some experience with PWB manufacturing or screen-printing. If process conditions are optimized, the trial can produce 80 microns traces using a set of screen-printers and a thermal oven. The printers and oven are common equipment used in the printed circuit board manufacturing process. Printers are not necessary to conduct initial trials if you have some experience; screen masks with fine line patterns and working tables are the only prerequisites. The new capabilities from your own trials can be surprising! The fine line capabilities and your processing capabilities can be verified with the trial kit. If your attempts to generate fine lines are unsuccessful, DKN Research is available to troubleshoot and resolve any issues.
The trial kit includes 100 grams of special silver ink, flexible film substrates with special treatments, a processing manual, MSDS (material safety data sheet) and examples of finished flexible circuits. The cost of the kit is only $890.00 US dollars.
