Conventionally, electronic circuits have been manufactured by applying a method known as lithography, in which a thin metallic sheet is first applied to the board surface, and then unrequired sections are melted away.
The novel approach to electronic circuit production that Elephantech has developed -- called Pure Additive™ processing -- is based on a totally opposite concept to the conventional method. In this innovative manufacturing method, metallic nano particles are printed only onto the required areas of the board surface, and then electroless plating technology is applied to grow the metal, providing the benefits shown below.
Lead Time Shortened
- Widely backed up with standard specifications shipped/developed 3 days after data issue.
- Because the manufacturing schedule is short, early delivery of mass produced parts is supported.
Total cost reduced
- Cost from development time to mass production time greatly reduced.
- Our factory has a monthly production capacity of 1000 m² and we can handle and support mass production.
Contribute to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
- Since copper is only placed where it is needed, less than 30%* of material is used.
- The shortening of the process allows for a drainage volume of less than 10%*
* An internal investigation
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This manufacturing method consists of inkjet-printing silver nano-ink onto the substrate before electroless copper plating is applied to form the circuit.
By reducing the amount of metal, liquid waste and man-hours, we can lessen manufacturing costs and shorten the lead time.
* Patent No. 6300213
The world's first practical application using printing technology
In addition, the etching / subtractive method needs;
Before： 「Etching unnecessary metal」→ Lot of waste.
Now：「Print the metal you need」→ There's no waste.
| Circuit design data format | Extension |
|---|---|
| RS-274X(Extended Gerber format) | Extensions defined in .gbr or CAD |
| Illustrator | .ai |
| AutoCAD | .dxf |
| CADLUS® PCB | CADLUS Compressed data (.COMP Data) |
| PDF Instructions in, etc. |
- Please consult us about other format data.
- For more information, please refer to the P-Flex® Data Design Guidelines.
- https://www.elephantech.co.jp/en/#download
| Company name | CAD tool name |
|---|---|
| Cadence | ORCAD & ALLEGRO |
| AutoDesk | EAGLE |
| Mentor Graphics | PADS |
| Altium | Altium Designer (AD18, AD19) |
| Zuken | CR-5000/8000 CADVANCE |
| Quadcept Inc. | Quadcept |
| NISOUL CO.,LTD | CADLUS |
| Open Source | KiCad |
- Please consult us about other format data.
- For more information, please refer to the P-Flex® Data Design Guidelines.
- https://www.elephantech.co.jp/en/#download
