P-Flex® is a single-sided flex PCB manufactured using the Pure Additive™ method.
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.
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 on the right.
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
▶ NHK WORLD-JAPAN News Broadcast
About Elephantech's manufacturing method (Pure Additive™️ processing)
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.
The Polyimide-base P-Flex® / The PET based P-Flex®
About Design Data Formats
| 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
PCB CAD Tool – Extended Gerber file output possible
| 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
LINK
Technology News
“Latest innovations and techniques using IMPC™” page is now available.
At the IMPC LAB, our aim is to contribute to humanity and society by reinventing manufacturing through the use of next generation IME (In-Mold Electronics) technologies.
Biosensor：Launch of the Additive Manufacturing Center (3)
This is an article about biosensors. Elephantech's 3-pole electrochemical sensor was tested for performance by connecting it to a DropSens potentiostat and found to be fully functional, etc.
Launch of the Additive Manufacturing Center (2)
I'd like to follow up on my last post by mentioning that I noticed some key words that keep popping up in the research done by explorers who keep hacking home printers and trying different things!That key word is biosensors.
【Ink Discharge Evaluation Service blog : 3】Introducing the Personnel Behind Elephantech’s Inkjet Technology
How does the ink get discharged from the inkjet head? What kind of waveform will allow the ink to be discharged in a clean and efficient manner? If any such question arises, please feel free to contact me.
Launch of the Additive Manufacturing Center (1)
We established the Additive Manufacturing Center (“AMC”) in April of 2020 and, having in June welcomed Mr Kawamoto on loan from Mitsui Chemicals as the center’s director, we’re all set to start operations.
【Ink Discharge Evaluation Service blog : 2】Video presentation of Epson’s inkjet machine for R&D purposes.
Here is an overview of Epson’s inkjet machine for R&D purposes used for our Ink Discharge Evaluation Service.
【Ink Discharge Evaluation Service blog : 1】Inkjet characteristics and evaluation
Elephantech has launched an inkjet characteristics evaluation service using Epson's highly acclaimed, high-performance PrecisionCore printhead to run the following tests.
【Video】Ink Discharge Test : Reproducing the printing process for mass-production
Ink ejection test of a single-sided FPC P-Flex® manufacturing process Replicating the printing process of a mass production line. Here's a video.
【Video】Haptic Feedback: DRUMPAD
The DRUMPAD was born as a musical instrument that touches the sound. We're also using a large transparent touch sensor, P-Flex to help us get the job done.
Shifting from “dissolving unnecessary parts” to “printing onto necessary parts”
The world's first practical application using printing technology. Print the metal you need . There's no waste.
Manufacturing process based on the Pure Additive™ processing（2020/04/08 update）
Manufacturing process based on the Pure Additive™ processing
We updated Manufacturing process page.
We updated Manufacturing process page.
The future of electronics：Shifting from “dissolving unnecessary parts” to “printing onto necessary parts”
Shifting from 'dissolving unnecessary parts' to 'printing onto necessary parts' and Contributing to the SDGs’ following goals.
NHK WORLD-JAPAN News Broadcast（Summary）
NHK WORLD-JAPAN News Broadcast（Summary）: New Tech Helps Construction Industry
Manufacturing process based on the Pure Additive™ processing
Elephantech's Pure Additive process is an environmentally friendly production method of flex PCBs with a greatly reduced drainage volume.
NHK WORLD-JAPAN News Broadcast
The contents of an interview the NHK International Broadcasting Station had with us has been broadcast in English on the NHK WORLD-JAPAN News.
Machinery – Automatic Plating Line
Machinery - Automatic Plating Line : The production line measures 10 meters, and a copper layer is formed over the silver ink circuit printed on the circuit board.
P-Flex® Quality Test
In an effort to guarantee and further improve product quality, we conduct quality tests for each and every substrate (PET and polyimides).
Our original pure additive™ process
Our original pure additive™ process
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