-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Robot that Uses 3-D Printer Technology Can Make Printed Circuit Boards
November 5, 2015 | Business WireEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Phidias, LLC introduces a low cost machine that can produce virtually all components required to make complete, finished products. Derived from 3-D printer technology, the new machine, a Personal Manufacturing Robot, has a growing list of capabilities that includes making printed circuit boards, 3-D printing with plastics, pastes and foodstuffs and cutting vinyl.
“It's really exciting to see what's possible with Athena,” said Bas Wijnen, one of the company's founders and PhD student, speaking of the new robot. “When people see what it can do, they start thinking about what else they might do with it.”
Athena, the personal manufacturing robot, was developed after university research investigating use of low cost, open-source 3-D printers demonstrated exceptionally high-value items could be produced for use in research laboratories.
“Research showed that open-source 3-D printers had incredible value, but it was clear that they were woefully underutilized robotic systems,” said Jerry Anzalone of Phidias, LLC. “The trick was to figure out how to make an inexpensive machine and software that could fully exploit the complex motion control systems that drive them. We've done that.”
Most consumer 3-D printers work by laying down thin layers of hot plastic on top of each other, with the new layer partially melting and binding with the layer below it. The part that moves around depositing the plastic is very light weight, so 3-D printers are usually designed to move only that sort of tool. They typically cannot move heavier tools, like spindles used for milling printed circuit boards, or pumps used to dispense pastes and food stuffs.
The new machine handles both light and heavy tools. It can be transformed from a conventional 3-D printer to a printed circuit board mill or a paste printer in less than a minute. Magnetic joints are used to connect many of the moving parts together and to secure different tools to perform a variety of tasks. Completely new software was developed to capitalize on this unprecedented flexibility.
Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Phidias, LLC develops and sells open-source hardware and software, specializing in technology that enables personal manufacturing. Its flagship personal manufacturing robot, Athena, is sold as a low-cost kit and made its debut November 2, 2015.
Suggested Items
SEMI Applauds U.S. Chips Act Award for Samsung Electronics Facilities to Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Supply Chain
04/17/2024 | SEMISEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, applauded the United States Department of Commerce’s announcement of a Preliminary Memorandum of Terms for an award under the CHIPS and Science Act to support the expansion of Samsung Electronics’ presence in Texas and the company’s development and production of leading-edge chips.
Ark Electronics Expands Global Manufacturing Factory Network in North America and Europe
04/17/2024 | PRNewswireElectronic Manufacturing Company Ark Electronics recently announced the expansion of its Global Factory Network with the addition of Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) capabilities in Mexico and Europe.
SIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for Samsung Manufacturing Projects in Texas
04/16/2024 | SIAThe Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released the following statement from SIA President and CEO John Neuffer applauding semiconductor manufacturing incentives announced by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Samsung.
Report Reveals ‘True Impact’ of Manufacturing is Nearly a Quarter of UK GDP
04/15/2024 | Manufacturing Technologies AssociationManufacturing is having a far greater impact on the UK economy than first thought according to a major new report released today.
Design Community Town Hall Review
04/11/2024 | Kelly Dack, CID+, EPTACThe Design Community Town Hall took place on the afternoon of April 10, 2024. I was fortunate to attend this event, which marked an opportunity for members of some newly found design groups to get together and exchange ideas. Peter Tranitz, senior director of solutions for IPC, opened the session with a slide presentation introducing these new groups and members within the solutions department.