Rapid prototyping of electronics via direct writing and laser processing

High-quality electronic circuit elements are being written directly onto substrates with relatively low temperature tolerances by means of a pen-dispensing process. Conductor, resistor, and dielectric paste formulations are deposited onto the substrate, then thermally treated with a laser to reach final form. The laser-treatment process is facilitated by using optical pyrometer temperature measurements as real-time feedback for laser power control. The paste deposition and laser processing technologies have been incorporated into the development of a machine tool for conducting rapid prototyping of electronic circuits deposited onto conformal substrates.