US based Nano Dimension Ltd has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Nano Dimension Technologies Ltd., has conducted a successful test for 3D printing of conductive traces onto a treated fabric in collaboration with a leading European functional textiles company. The test was carried out using Nano Dimension's unique AgCite Silver Nanoparticle conductive ink and the DragonFly 2020 3D Printer platform.
Based on the requirements of the European company, Nano Dimension adjusted the printing process in order to print electronics and sensors as an integral part of the fabric.
During the test, conductors were printed in several patterns in order to perform functionality tests, including conductivity, elasticity, rubbing, etc. The results demonstrated that the printed silver conductors had high enough elasticity to match the properties of the fabric.
The experiment provides evidence that Nano Dimension's technology can successfully print conductors on a fabric, thus enabling the creation of "smart" functional fabrics without limitations resulting from motion, folding and wearing.
Today, the functional textile industry is grappling with how to produce smart textiles that combine the production process of both the electronics and textile fields. The 3D printing production processes and nanomaterials developed by Nano Dimension have the potential to resolve this challenge and help to create an efficient production technology for smart textiles.
The smart textile market today is estimated at $800 Million and is expected to reach $4.72 billion by 2020, with a yearly CAGR of 33.58% by 2020. Such printing is useful for military use, and industrial and medical needs. Possible uses of this technology includes smart bandages, virtual reality gloves, wearables with sensor and heat properties, safety equipment for the defense industry, unique sportswear that manages body temperature, medical equipment, automotive, aviation and aerospace accessories, and more.
Nano Dimension Ltd.
www.nano-di.com
