TI adapts HD for 3-D printing

Published:2012/6/20 1:42:00 Author:Ecco From:SeekIC

Texas Instruments announced that they would adapt their HD digital light processor (DLP) chipset this week for rapid prototyping systems that can print 3-D objects.

The surface of a receding photo-activated polymer can be formed into 3-D objects for custom and one-off precision manufacturing by optimizing the DLP for UV light. UV-optimized DLPs are suited to expose photo-active resists in pc boards with a virtual mask, laser repairs and computer-to-plate printing.

3D Systems Corp. (Rockville, S.C.), EnvisionTec Inc. (Ferndale, Mich.) and others currently offer DLP-based 3-D printers for rapid prototyping, one-off- and personalized manufacturing. PC-board makers are also using UV-optimized DLPs for mask-free lithography, enabling them to quickly revise circuit board layouts.

The HD model is adapted for UV light by tweaking the gas mixture inside the package, enabling the DLP to cure photo-active polymers without being damaged by the corrosive effects of the high-energy light source.

The new HD models will be launched later this year. They are being promoted as delivering better quality for rendering detailed structures at the surface of the photo-active polymer and doubling throughput for maskless pc-board makers.

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