The Ultrasound Research Group at Neurotechnology in Lithuania has announced that it is developing a new (patent pending) ultrasonic 3-D printing technology that will enable the 3-D printing and assembly of almost any type of object, using a wide range of different materials and components.
Because of the non-contact nature of ultrasonic manipulation, even small particles (in the sub-millimetre range) and sensitive components can be easily handled without causing any damage, enabling the technology’s use in many different prototyping and manufacturing scenarios.
As a demonstration, the Ultrasound Research Group has created a prototype printer that can assemble a simple PCB. The prototype features an array of ultrasonic transducers for the positioning of electronic components on the PCB.
In order to ensure high positioning accuracy, it uses a camera to detect the position of the PCB and the various electronic components. A laser is used to solder the elements to the PCB in a non-contact way, complementing the non-
contact component manipulation.
Osvaldas Putkis (pictured), research engineer and project leader for the Ultrasound Research Group, said: “Ultrasonic manipulation can handle a very large range of different materials, including metals, plastics and even liquids. Not only can it manipulate material particles, it can also handle components of various shapes.
“Other non-contact methods, like the ones based on magnetic or electrostatic forces, can’t offer such versatility.”
Neurotechnology is now inviting other companies to take part in the further development and application of this technology.”