Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multi-materials drop-on-demand inkjet technology based on pneumatic diaphragm actuator

  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Micro-droplet jetting belongs to the field of precision fluid dispensing techniques. Unlike traditional subtraction manufacture process, micro-droplet jetting as an additive fabrication technique with features of non-contact and data-driven represents a new development trend of modern manufacturing process. In this paper, the design, fabrication and performance of a multi-materials drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet system based on pneumatic diaphragm actuator were described. For capturing the droplet ejection process and measuring the droplet dimension, a self-made in situ imaging system based on time delayed external trigger was set up. The performance of the generator was studied by adjusting the structure and control parameters. Furthermore, the influence of fluid properties on the droplet ejection process was experimentally investigated. Micro-solderballs of 160.5 μm in diameter and UV curing adhesive micro-bumps of 346.94 μm in contact diameter with the substrate were produced. The results demonstrated that the DOD inkjet generator possesses characteristics of robust, easy to operate and maintain, and able to withstand high temperature as well as applicability to a wide variety of materials including polymers, low melting point resin and high melting point metal. The system has a great potential of being used in the fields of IC and MEMS packaging, 3D printing, organic semiconductor fabrication, and biological and chemical analysis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hon K K B, Li L, Hutchings I M. Direct writing technology—Advances and developments. CIRP Annals Manuf Tech, 2008, 57: 601–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lee E R. Microdrop Generation. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2002

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Burgold J, Weise F, Fischer M, et al. Evolution and operating experiences with different drop-on-demand systems. Macromol Rapid Commun, 2005, 26: 265–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gao C, Huang S X. Progress in inkjet technique and its applications. J Inorg Mater, 2004, 19: 714–722

    Google Scholar 

  5. Huang H, Qi L. Uniform droplets forming technology and application. Manuf Tech Mach Tool, 2008, 19: 59–63

    Google Scholar 

  6. Wallace D, Hayes D, Chen T, et al. Think additive: Ink-jet deposition of materials for MEMS packaging. In: 6th Topical Workshop on Packaging of MEMS and Related Micro-Nano-Bio Integrated Systems. California: Long Beach, 2004

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hayes D, Grove M, Cox W. Development and application by ink-jet printing of advanced packaging materials. In: International Symposium on Advanced Packaging Materials: Processes, Properties and Interfaces. Georgia: Braselton, 1999

    Google Scholar 

  8. Lee T M, Kang T G, Yang J S, et al. Drop-on-demand solder droplet jetting system for fabricating microstructure. IEEE Trans Electron Pack Manuf, 2008, 31: 202–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gans B J de, Duineveld P C, Schubert U S. Inkjet printing of polymers: State of the art and future developments. Adv Mater, 2004, 16: 203–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Mott M, Song J H, Evans J R G. Microengineering of ceramics by direct ink-jet printing. J Am Ceramic Society, 1999, 82: 1653–1658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Fan K C, Chen J Y, Wang C H, et al. Development of a drop-on-demand droplet generator for one-drop-fill technology. Sens Actuators A: Phys, 2008, 147: 649–655

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Duineveld P C, Kok M M de, Buechel M. Ink-jet printing of polymer light-emitting devices. In: Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering. California: San Diego, 2002

  13. Zaugg F G, Wagner P. Drop-on-demand printing of protein biochip arrays. Mater Res Society, 2003, 28: 837–842

    Google Scholar 

  14. Cabal A, Ross D S, Lebens J A, et al. Thermal actuator with optimized heater for liquid drop ejectors. Sens Actuators A: Phys, 2005, 123: 531–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Brünahl J, Grishin A M. Piezoelectric shear mode drop-on-demand inkjet actuator. Sens Actuators A: Phys, 2002, 101: 371–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Wang D A, Cheng C H, Hsieh Y H, et al. Analysis of an annular PZT actuator for a droplet ejector. Sens Actuators A: Phys, 2007, 137: 330–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Cheng S, Chandra S. A pneumatic droplet-on-demand generator. Experiments Fluids, 2003, 34: 755–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cheng S X, Li T, Chandra S. Producing molten metal droplets with a pneumatic droplet-on-demand generator. J MaterProc Tech, 2005, 159: 295–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Chandra S, Rahim J. Apparatus and method for generating droplets. US patent, 6446878, 2002

  20. Zhang H H, Shu X Y, Xie D, et al. A pneumatically actuator diaphragm-driven micro-droplet generator. Chinese patent 2009103055151 1, 2009

  21. Shu X Y. Mechanism and Experimenal Study of Pneumatically Actuator Diaphragm-driven Micro-droplet Generator for Molten Metal. Dissertation of Doctoral Degree. Wuhan: Huazhong University of Science and Technoloty, 2009

    Google Scholar 

  22. Xiao J F. Study on Pneumatic Diaphragm-based Micro Droplet Generator system. Dissertation of Masteral Degree. Wuhan: Huazhong University of Science and Technoloty, 2009

    Google Scholar 

  23. Jang D, Kim D, Moon J. Influence of fluid physical properties on ink-jet printability. Langmuir, 2009, 25: 2629–2635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Fluid Properties Effects on Ink-jet Device Performance. Microfab Technote, 99-02

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Micro-Systems, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Dan Xie, HongHai Zhang, XiaYun Shu, JunFeng Xiao & Shu Cao

  2. Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Dan Xie, HongHai Zhang, XiaYun Shu, JunFeng Xiao & Shu Cao

Authors
  1. Dan Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. HongHai Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. XiaYun Shu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. JunFeng Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shu Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Dan Xie or HongHai Zhang.

Additional information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50775087).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Xie, D., Zhang, H., Shu, X. et al. Multi-materials drop-on-demand inkjet technology based on pneumatic diaphragm actuator. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 53, 1605–1611 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-010-3149-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-010-3149-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation