Photo: binder
Productronica 2021, the world's leading trade fair for electronics manufacturing, has made it clear: printed electronics and printed sensors in particular will continue to gain in importance in the coming years. This trend was confirmed by numerous project enquiries at the binder electronic solutions stand, where binder ITZ presented itself together with binder introbest and binder ems. A record number of 88 leads for the ITZ at the end of the trade fair emphasises the potential of the technology field of printed electronics for binder.
Sensory functional coatings for medicine, industry and consumer goods
The binder ITZ exhibits included prototypes and samples for functional layers that are produced using screen and pad printing. The printing process developed by binder can be used to specifically functionalise surfaces, for example to produce sensor components: touch, temperature or force sensors can be applied directly to customer components. Printed sensors of this type are in high demand in medical technology, for example. In intelligent plasters, so-called smart patches, they can be used as temperature sensors for measuring fever or as force sensors in bandages.
Various versions of printed touch sensors were exhibited - either as individual sensors or as so-called sliders comprising several active fields - on different substrates such as glass, TPU film or plastic. The substrates can be structured on the surface, for example with nubs, or three-dimensionally shaped (cylindrical or free). If desired, the sensors can be transparent or printed behind the substrate so that they are not visible and can be used for gesture control, for example. This means that users no longer have to touch the surface of the respective sensor in order to interact with it. This type of sensor can be used as a touch field in Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) to control machines, but also to operate consumer goods such as household appliances.
Visitors were particularly interested in sensors for the Internet of Things. Printed sensors are especially well-suited for this environment, as they require minimal space—layer systems with a thickness of less than 50 µm are possible. They can be designed to be flexible or stretchable and adapted to various designs. Easily and cost-effectively applied to different geometries, they enable the creation of individual sensors or entire sensor networks. One example is RFID tags, which allow easy retrieval of product information, such as expiration dates or proof of an unbroken cold chain through an integrated temperature sensor.
Hybrid assemblies, stretchable conductor tracks and functional textiles
Contacting solutions for printed components are a key aspect of hybrid systems. These consist of a printed component, usually the sensor, and conventional electronics, such as a circuit board in SMD or THT design. While conventional components use familiar methods such as soldering or screwing, contacting printed components is more difficult to realise due to the wide range of printing materials. The binder ITZ offers various bonding or crimping processes for this purpose.
As an example of such a hybrid system, a printed force sensor was presented at Productronica 2021, which is connected to the printed components via crimp connections and to the electronics for the evaluation unit via conventional solder joints. Cables or printed conductors can be used between the printed and conventional components.
Visitors to binder's stand were also enthusiastic about stretchable conductive tracks, which serve as the basis for smart or functionalised textiles, for example: Here, conductive textiles are fitted with conventional SMD LEDs or used as heating textiles.
Expertise demonstrated
Productronica 2021 attracted 20,000 visitors from 70 countries. 852 exhibitors took part in the trade fair this year. At the 60 m2 stand of binder electronic solutions, interested parties were able to talk directly to developers and those responsible for series production - an invaluable advantage, especially with regard to customised solutions. From the layout of the electronics to contacting, software development and series production, customer requirements can be realised in a targeted manner from a single source in the binder electronic solutions division.
binder's presence at the trade fair was rounded off by a presentation by Robert Stiehle on the topic of printed electronics at the ZVEI Speaker Corner. Anyone who wanted to could also take their piece of printed electronics home with them: For the first time, binder ITZ presented sample boxes for the aforementioned electronic components. These contain functional sensors or printed circuits that are designed to encourage people to try them out and think ahead.