Keynote Speakers
doi:10.3850/4M2009RP001_9006
Ink-Jet Printing in Micro-Manufacturing: Opportunities and Limitations
Ian Hutchings
Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering,
University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK
Biography
Ian Hutchings is GKN Professor of Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering (since 2001), (Deputy Head of Department (Graduate Studies) 2002-2005), Fellow, St John’s College, Cambridge (since 1975), Chairman, St John’s Innovation Centre Ltd., Cambridge (since 1996), Editor-in-Chief, Wear, Elsevier (since 1998)
Abstract
Ink-jet printing provides a family of mask-less digital processes for the controlled deposition of materials in liquid form. A wide range of materials, including metals, ceramics and polymers, can be deposited, and several process routes apart from direct additive deposition can be used. This review discusses methods by which the various classes of materials can be deposited, and their applications to micro-manufacturing. It is concluded that although much attention has so far been paid to thin-film products, the potential of ink-jet processes for the fabrication of 3-D products has yet to be developed.
