Optical measurement system for real-time process monitoring of aerosol jet printing
US12409650B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2015/0026
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Aerosol jet printing is a popular digital fabrication method for flexible and hybrid electronics, but it lacks sophisticated process control architectures that would enable more widespread adoption in manufacturing environments. An optical measurement system can be used to track the aerosol density upstream of the printhead. For example, the measured optical extinction combined with the aerosol flow rate, is directly related to deposition rate and accurately predicts functional properties, for example electrical resistance. This real-time system offers a compelling solution for process drift and batch-to-batch variability, a valuable tool for more fundamental studies of the process science, and a viable technology to support real-time control of aerosol jet printing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.