Session 15: Flexible Electronics Manufacturing

Evaluation of 3D Molded Interconnected Device
Thursday, February 15, 2018
9:05 AM - 9:25 AM

Molded Interconnected Device Technology, or MID in short, is a part of the Structural electronics Space. This technology enables the creation of an electronic circuit on a 3D body, mainly an injection molded part. Thus, there a no constrains involved with placing a 2D PCB inside the product and the product can be miniaturized. Designing an MID requires many considerations and constraints, as the production involves multiple technologies, such as special materials, high accuracy dispensing, laser structuring, additive manufacturing and more. Our project focused on the design and tests of MID technology demonstrator which include an integrated circuit (IC) components. In the absence of design tools and guidelines relevant to our device, we had to work it out during the design process. We started by testing the functionality and characteristics of simple 2D test circuits in order to understand the basic design limitations. To complete our research, we designed, built and tested a 3D-MID, in order to understand the full complexity and implications associated with this technology.