The production solution utilizes Optomecs Aerosol Jet system to print passive strain sensors directly onto turbine blades used in an industrial gas turbine.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Optomec, a leading global supplier of production grade additive manufacturing systems for 3D printed electronics announced today that the company will showcase its Aerosol Jet systems for 3D production-grade printed electronics at the SEMI FlexTech conference, held June 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, California, Optomec will be in booth # 2005. In addition to the exhibition Optomec will deliver a presentation titled "3D Printing of Flexible Circuits and Sensors" in the 3D Printed Electronics Session at 8:25 AM on Thursday, June 22.

At the conference, Optomec will showcase a groundbreaking 3D Printed Sensor application that was developed working with its customer General Electric (GE). The production solution utilizes Optomecs Aerosol Jet system to print passive strain sensors directly onto turbine blades used in an industrial gas turbine. The sensors are composed of a ceramic material that can withstand the very high operating temperatures seen in the hot section of the gas turbine. These sensors can detect deformations in the underlying metal that could ultimately result in an expensive and sometimes catastrophic failure. The data from the sensors has a direct tie to GE's Predix software platform, demonstrating the digital convergence between Additive Manufacturing and the Internet of Things. Additionally, Optomec will display functional devices produced with Aerosol Jet systems, such as 3D printed sensors and antennas, semiconductor packaging, and Internet of Things applications. Aerosol Jet technology is currently used in mass production for printing 3D conformal antennas and sensors for consumer electronics devices at the LITE-ON Mobile Mechanical SBG (LITE-ON) factory in Guangzhou, China.

Also, Matthew Schrandt, Optomec Aerosol Jet Applications Engineer, will give a presentation titled "3D Printing of Flexible Circuits and Sensors." Mr. Schrandt will explain how sensors can be printed onto 3D and flexible substrates using a variety of conductive metal and resistive materials. Aerosol Jet is an ideal printing tool for precision deposition of polymeric and metal inks for sensors. The process is a non-contact, high resolution printing technology that is compatible with a wide range of conductive, insulating, and resistive materials. Mr. Schrandt will present the functionality of printed strain gauges and thermocouple sensors in terms of robustness with flexing, thermal coefficients, resistance stability, gauge performance, and thermocouple Seebeck coefficient. For more information on Optomec solutions for 3D printed electronics click here.

The Flex Conference, now in its 16th year, is the premier flexible hybrid electronics FHE event in the industry - guaranteed to advance technical and business interests in flexible, printed, hybrid electronics and their applications. For more information on the event, click here.

Optomec is a privately-held, rapidly growing supplier of Additive Manufacturing systems. Optomecs patented Aerosol Jet Systems for printed electronics and LENS 3D Printers for metal components are used by industry to reduce product cost and improve performance. Together, these unique printing solutions work with the broadest spectrum of functional materials, ranging from electronic inks to structural metals and even biological matter. Optomec has more than 300 marquee customers around the world, targeting production applications in the Electronics, Energy, Life Sciences and Aerospace industries.

LENS (Laser Engineered Net Shaping) is a registered trademark of Sandia National Laboratories. Aerosol Jet and Optomec are registered trademarks of Optomec Inc.

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