Using Robot-Based Systems in Flexible Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing

Flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) makes new device form factors possible for wearable, automotive, and defense applications. Novel electronics manufactured utilizing FHE techniques may be flexible, conformal, or three dimensional. Robot-based fabrication is a promising approach to manufacture conformal electronics across many length scales and diverse surface geometries. This talk will present work underway at NextFlex to develop a manufacturing platform capable of surface scanning, multi-material printing, and component placement. The robot-based system enables complex tool paths for printing on parts, and by adding additional motion axes, the system is also capable of creating 3D parts. With the integration of an automated tool changing process, multiple print technologies and other process steps can be integrated into, and executed by, a single manufacturing system. This multi-process, single tool manufacturing approach paves the way for both rapid prototyping and on-demand manufacturing. Also, the digital, additive nature of robotic processes also benefit from novel Design for Manufacturing (DFM) approaches, resolving significant tradeoffs in manufacturing.