The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) recently opened its £2 million Integrated Smart Systems (ISS) line at its Sedgefield-based National Printable Electronics Centre. It has the capability to perform flexo, gravure, offset litho, rotary screen printing processes alongside cut/crease operations and pick and place technology. The line is open for commercial or grant-funded projects with the aim of producing demonstrator units and prototypes, as well as performing pilot production and scalable process.

The ISS is an open access facility and proves that current commercially available equipment can print electronically interactive items in a standard pressroom environment. Applications include point of sale material, toys, games, novelty items, smart packaging and intelligent sensors – proving that developments such as digital, condition-sensitive sell-by dates on fresh produce could be reality in the near future.

The facility, which is now open and already has a list of projects lined up, includes a Nilpeter MO4/FA4 420 mm wide combination press for the printing of conductive tracks which can print on 25 to 380 micron substrate thickness using offset litho, flexo, rotary screen and gravure, and includes delam-relam, UV lamination, cold foiling, die-cutting and sheeting, a DEK 248 Flatbed Conductive Adhesive screen printer, a Trotec Speedy 300 CO2 laser, a Europlacer lineo Pick & Place component attachment and a Esko Kongsberg i-XE10 digital cutting table.

The ISS line is able to produce demonstrator units and prototypes, as well as performing pilot production and scalable process development for a range of users including brand owners, printers, packaging houses, creative designers, ink formulators, substrate suppliers and equipment manufacturers. It not only develops the integration of printable electronics with existing processes, but also initiates the evolution of a cross-market supply chain.

Programme manager, Bela Green, said, ‘There is almost a limitless number of applications for interactive print, and as an open access facility the ISS line represents an excellent opportunity for clients to become familiar with the technology before being trained on how to implement it. Alternatively, they can utilise the expertise that CPI has on offer and allow us to lead on projects – it is a flexible set up that can significantly benefit companies looking to capitalise on printable electronics.’

 

www.uk-cpi.com