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![TMCNet: 3D Printing Teams with Printed Electronics [Professional Services Close - Up]](http://images.tmcnet.com/siteart/invisible.gif)
3D Printing Teams with Printed Electronics [Professional Services Close - Up]
(Professional Services Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Stratasys and Optomec Inc. announced that the companies have successfully completed a joint development project to merge 3D printing and printed electronics to create the world's first fully printed hybrid structure.
According to a release, the first project, the development of a "smart wing" for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) model with functional electronics is a revolutionary event that has the potential to change product development in industries including medical device, consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace. A video on stratasys.com discusses the making of hybrid structures.
"Bringing together 3D printing and printed electronic circuitry will be a game changer for design and manufacturing," says Jeff DeGrange, VP of direct digital manufacturing at Stratasys. "It has the potential to completely streamline production by requiring fewer materials and steps to bring a product to market."
The companies said that an Optomec Aerosol Jet system was used to print a conformal sensor, antenna and circuitry directly onto the wing of a UAV model. The wing was 3D printed with the Stratasys Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process. The electrical and sensor designs were provided by Aurora Flight Sciences, a supplier of UAVs. "
We envision many potential applications of the Stratasys-Optomec approach for hybrid direct digital manufacturing," said David Kordonowy, who leads Aurora Flight Sciences' Aerostructures Research Group. "The ability to fabricate functional electronics into complex- shaped structures using additive manufacturing can allow UAVs to be built more quickly, with more customization, potentially closer to the field where they're needed. All these benefits can lead to efficient, cost-effective fielded vehicles."
According to the companies, the combination of FDM 3D printing and printed electronics technologies can provide benefits over traditional prototyping, manufacturing and field repair processes. Performance and functionality of products can be improved in two ways: 3D printers enable lighter weight mechanical structures; and conformal electronics printed directly onto the structure frees up space for additional payload. In turn, the process has a positive impact on the environment by using fewer materials.
"Manufacturers can implement this hybrid technology in a multitude of applications, not just in aerospace," says Optomec's Ken Vartanian. "This technology can benefit numerous industries by allowing thinner, lighter, fully functional structures that cost less to manufacture."
Optomec is a provider of additive manufacturing solutions for high-performance applications in the electronics, solar, medical, and aerospace & defense markets.
Stratasys Inc., Minneapolis, is a maker of additive manufacturing machines for prototyping and producing plastic parts.
More information:
www.Stratasys.com
www.Optomec.com
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
..HEADLINE
-GTSI Schedules Investor Conference Call
GTSI Corp., a systems integration, solutions and services provider to government, announced that it has scheduled its fourth quarter 2011 conference call for Thursday March 29, at 11 AM Eastern.
In addition, the Company will be announcing financial results in a press release before the market opens on Thursday March 29th.
The call is open to all investors and can be accessed at: Conference call number: 800-593-9034 (Domestic) 334-323-7224 (Domestic) Pass code: GTSI
For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available until May 28.
The replay will be available by calling: Replay: 877-919-4059 (Domestic) 334-323-7226 (International) Pass code: 39488942
The call will also be broadcast live via the Internet and available for replay at: www.gtsi.com, on the investor relations page.
GTSI is a provider of technology solutions and professional services to federal, state and local governments.
More information:
www.gtsi.com.
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
(c) 2012 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.
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