Now You Can with PulseForge™ Tools
• Cure metal inks on low-temperature, low-cost substrates like paper
• Cure in-line at print speeds
• Cure copper inks
Advanced Curing for Printed Electronics
C U R E I N K S A N D F I L M S A T R O O M T E M P E R A T U R E I N L E S S T H A N A M I L L I S E C O N D
REV 0708
PulseForge™ 1100 System
The PulseForge 1100 is the first commercially available
product using the Photonic Curing™ process, a revolution
in printed electronics. PulseForge tools sinter metal-
based inks and coatings on thin-film substrates, achieving
remarkable conductivities. It takes only milliseconds,
and does not damage even low temperature substrates,
including paper, PET, and polyethylene.
PulseForge systems for printed electronics lower the
cost for current printed RFID, display, packaging, and
solar products, and open doors for new applications and
products, with new materials, on new substrates.
Shedding Light on a New Technology
PulseForge tools work because of the energy delivered
by the high-intensity strobes at the heart of the system.
The strobes are driven by high-powered pulse electronics
technology resulting from years of engineering, and
are unlike anything on the market today. The strobes
deliver energy to the target surface, selectively heating
and fusing ink particles, and forming highly conductive
pathways. Since the technique is broadcast by nature, no
critically aligned optics are required. The Photonic Curing
Advanced Curing for Printed Electronics
process specifically targets inks and thin-film depositions,
functionalizing them without heating or damaging
the substrates on which they are printed, or affecting
nearby thermally sensitive components. This allows a
large-area complex pattern to be instantly cured even
on low temperature substrates. PulseForge technology
is effective with all types of particle-based inks, whether
nanoparticle-based or metal-based.
Performance in the Spotlight
Copper-based inks
PulseForge equipment allows copper-based inks to
become a reality. Sheet resistances below 100 milliohms
per square and resistivities as low as 10X bulk have been
attained with NovaCentrix Metalon™ copper-based inks.
PulseForge systems enable the manufacturing of printed
copper conductive patterns in ambient air, without using
an inert atmosphere. A protective over-layer may then be
applied after curing to enhance long-term performance.
Silver-based inks
Sheet resistances as low as 20 milliohms per square and
resistivities as low as 4X bulk have been attained with
NovaCentrix Metalon™ silver-based inks. Metalon inks are
optimized for use on paper.
2,000,000
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Print Pad MachineryFusion UVUshioNovaCentrix
BR 70svLighthammer 10UVH 22024-0PulseForge 1100 @ 1msPulseForge 1100 @ 100us
4406,00026,400
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P U L S E F O R G E S Y S T E M S
PulseForge UV E-Beam Thermal
Cure below 50 degrees Celsius —
Cure in less than one millisecond — —
Sinter metallic inks on low-temperature substrates — — —
Cure rate equal to print rate —
Effective for true metallic inks — —
Effective for semi-conductive materials — —
Effective for organic inks — —
Advantages of PulseForge over Traditional Methods
*
Properties most suitable for printed electronics
* Has demonstrated a significant conductivity improvement in amorphous-Si
Partial List of Compatible Systems
PulseForge tools are compatible with the following types of materials and processes:
Plastics Paper Conductives Print Methods
• PET
• Polyimide
• Polyethylene Film
• Polycarbonate
• Polystyrene
• Photo Paper
• Copier Paper
• Label Paper
• Silver
• Copper
• Other Metals
• Inkjet
• Gravure
• Flexographic
Curing System Power Output
• NovaCentrix PulseForge is pulsed output; others are continuous output
• Power values for PulseForge are based on energy output for durations of PulseForge 1100 adjustable pulse
• Pulsed output is required to sinter inks without damaging substrates
• Data taken from respective company web-sites
NovaCentrix
200-B Parker Drive
Suite 580
Austin,Texas 78728
T: 512-491-9500
F: 512-491-0002
www.novacentrix.com
PulseForge 3100
Purpose
Roll-to-roll web manufacturing with integrated
deposition and curing capability.
Key Specifications
• Adjustable web speed to 200 fpm
• Adjustable strobe energy
• Adjustable exposure height
• Web widths from 15cm to 180cm in 15cm increments
• Suitable for use on new or existing inkjet, flexo,
gravure and screen print lines
PulseForge Systems for Metallic Inks and Films
PulseForge 1100
Purpose
Application and materials development for flexible
electronics including RFID, smart cards/labels, displays,
photovoltaic devices, and advanced packaging.
Key Specifications
• Adjustable exposure level
• Adjustable strobe energy
• Equivalent max power up to 16 megawatts
• Adjustable strobe pulse duration
• Exposure area 2 cm wide x 12 cm long
• Strobe height above sample adjustable
from 0.5 cm up to 20 cm
• Manual substrate positioning stage
• Enclosed and interlocked strobe region
for personnel safety
• Power supply requirements: 220VAC,
3-phase, 30 amp
See what PulseForge can do for you!
Contact us today to learn more:
Stan Farnsworth at 512-491-9500 x210 or stan.farnsworth@novacentrix.com
PulseForge Evaluation
• No-risk evaluation of PulseForge
with your inks and printed substrates
• Performed by NovaCentrix at
our facility on our tools
• Ideal for determining initial
potential of PulseForge with your
applications and processes
PulseForge Services
• Quick access to PCS tools at
NovaCentrix by the hour, with
package rates available
• Assistance from the NovaCentrix
application engineering team
• Ideal for short-term projects
or feasibility studies
PulseForge Leasing
• Accelerate product development by
having PCS access at your facility
• Suitable for extended development
programs of specific inks or
printed products
• Service and support contracts
available