Horizon Microtechnologies commercially launched its template-based 3D microfabrication technology last month at Formnext 2022 in Frankfurt, Germany.
This technology creates conductive micro additive manufacturing derived parts with micrometre-scale accuracy.
Andreas Frölich,
CEO of Horizon, demonstrated the company’s post-build processes to attendees while demonstrating its technology alongside that of fellow micro-AM technology innovator Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF).
These processes demonstrate the versatility of micro-AM to applications like electrodes and electrical contact pins, ESD-safe parts, 3D microfluidics, and MEMS and optics packaging.
In his statement,
Frölich stated that “template-based 3D microfabrication is effectively a mechanism to exploit the usefulness of polymer micro-AM produced 3D microstructures for up until now underserved areas of industry by adding material and functionality to the microstructure, typically with a coating process.
This is a real game-changer for the industry,
The key technology that makes our processes possible is micro-AM,
and there are currently several commercially viable polymer-based micro-AM platforms that can quickly,
cheaply, and most importantly, repeatedly achieve precise tolerances.”
The production of micro-scale conductive parts and parts that are resistant to the environment is a speciality of Horizon.
A conductive layer is either completely or partially applied to a Horizon part after it has been created on a polymer-AM platform.
The long, narrow channels and undercuts are just two examples of challenging areas that technology can coat uniformly.
Electrodes, electrical sensor heads, and ESD-safe components, according to the company.
According to Horizon,
its additive manufacturing method is well suited for the field of microfluidics because it can produce complex
, multi-level microfluidic chips in small batches and prototypes,
including chips with built-in filters and interfaces to external components.
AM Microfabrication
Although additive manufacturing is “not typically considered” a mass-production technology, according to Horizon, the shrinkage of packaging and the subsequent reduction in the size of electronics and optics have made it a practical production alternative for MEMS and optics housings for small to medium batch sizes.
“These are exciting times for us all at Horizon,” Frölich continued.
“Years of R&D have culminated in our commercializing our technologies.
I believe that our extensive knowledge of production and design methods in the 3D microfabrication ecosystem is what distinguishes us as a company.
We collaborate with developers of polymer micro-AM technology in a supplier-neutral way,
and we’ve created internal post-build technological solutions that are an essential and significant link in the AM process chain,
fostering innovation and upending the production of micro-scale conductive parts and components.
The most recent technology to be introduced for the creation of micro-scale components is Horizon’s 3D microfabrication service.
