Hans van de Mortel, owner of Metafas, gave a presentation titled "From Switch to Swipe" during the User Interface Design seminar. Metafas, based in Asten, develops and produces user interfaces (front and control panels) and printed electronics.

Curious about the content of this presentation? We've summarized it for you in this blog.

Screen Printing Technology for Printed Electronics

For industrial applications, screen printing is a standard technique. Metafas employs the advanced Computer-to-Screen method to expose a screen with the desired pattern.

We explore the various possibilities of screen printing by experimenting with inks, substrates, and post-processing techniques. Currently, we can achieve a resolution (width of printed traces) of 40 microns.

In the field of printed electronics, Metafas is one of the largest independent manufacturing companies in Europe. We collaborate closely with the Eindhoven-based Holst Centre, a joint venture between TNO and Belgium’s imec, which holds a leading position in R&D.

Our production mainly focuses on prototypes and small batches. However, for the Atag One smart thermostat, we’ve already produced a large series of front panels with touch buttons—a great example of printed electronics.

In many cases, hybrid electronics are involved. Power applications requiring a heat sink cannot be integrated into printed electronics and still rely on conventional electronics such as PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards).

Stretchable Conductive Traces

Nowadays, electrical circuits can be printed on various (flexible) substrates, such as foil, paper, cardboard, or even textiles. Developments in nanotechnology have led to conductive inks based on silver emulsions that are stretchable.

The electrical resistance of printed traces only increases significantly at a stretch of 20% or more. This opens new possibilities for Metafas, including applications where LEDs, sensors, or active electronic components are integrated with printed traces into clothing, for example.

Additionally, RFID antennas for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC (near-field communication) can be created on flexible foil. In the Internet of Things, these antennas serve as interfaces between physical products and the cloud.

Printed Electronics in the Automotive Industry

The stretchability of the ink also allows for techniques such as thermoforming and injection molding on substrates that already contain printed traces. This paves the way for flexible displays, interfaces, and other 3D-shaped products, offering design flexibility and creative freedom. This trend was also evident at Lopec, the international trade fair for printed electronics held in Munich in March.

Several companies are already using printed electronics combined with thermoforming and injection molding techniques. For example, range hoods now feature curved printed electronics interfaces that allow users to swipe to adjust settings. Essentially, this replaces traditional potentiometers.

This technology is also prominent in the automotive industry. Today, entire dashboards can be screen-printed. Films with fine trace patterns are thermoformed into door panels, center consoles, and even steering wheels. These replace buttons and switches with touch controls, integrating sensors that wirelessly communicate with the onboard computer.

Swiping in cars is the future. As a Jaguar Land Rover representative stated in the closing remarks at Lopec:"The car of the future will be packed with electronics. Without printed electronics, there won’t be enough space left for passengers."

Questions About Printing Electronics?

Do you have questions about printing electronics and the opportunities it offers? Feel free to contact us via email at info@metafas.nl, call us at +31 495-695 578, or use the contact form via the button below.