Production

The variety of technologies compromising Industry 4.0 are now numerous, but it is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), advanced industrial robotics (AIR), and 3D printing that are the driving forces behind the fourth industrial revolution, which is reorganising manufacturing and supply chains. Quocirca’s Louella Fernandes explains.

Due to increasing miniaturisation and packing density on assemblies Plasmatreat has recorded a higher demand for Openair-Plasma in combination with conformal coatings in electronic manufacturing. Plasma application as pre-treatment to conformal coating of assemblies and components ensures that the process window for conformal coating is widened, guaranteeing long-lasting connections and functionality.

There has never been greater opportunity for creative freedom as there is today. With access to powerful software and hardware, professionals in creative industries today are able to put all of their efforts into bringing their vision to life – without being held back by technology.  By Pawel Jaruga, 3D Artist, Poland

  There are many industrial processes which require fast mixing of liquids, pastes and powders, and where the uniformity and homogeneity of these mixes is vital.  These include adhesives, inks, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, sealants, LED phosphors, nanoparticles, dental materials and more.

The market for industrial-use elastomers is defined by extremes. Whether chemical compatibility, plasma resistance, high and low temperatures, or other characteristics, engineers demand the highest possible performance. By Dr Thomas Reger, Senior Scientist at Greene, Tweed

When choosing the appropriate material, users should always consider the area of application. Here Marcus Schneck, CEO of norelem has explained why it is crucial to use operating parts made of high-quality materials as this can ensure the reliability and stability of the components used and products produced. 

Gerard Young, Applications Engineering Team Leader, Parker Hannifin – Chomerics Division Europe, explains that 3D printing for prototyping EMI housings and gaskets is breaking new ground.

Formlabs, the designer and manufacturer of accessible 3D printing systems, is working with Dr Sam Pashneh-Tala, Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield, who is leading pioneering tissue engineering techniques for creating complex, lab-grown, blood vessels with patient-specific shapes, powered by Formlabs SLA 3D printers. 

Since the inception of electronic devices there have been radical improvements in performance and miniaturisation. However, the form of electronics has barely changed – typically discrete components are mounted on circuit boards which are put in a box.  By Raghu Das, CEO, IDTechEx

Stretchable Electronics (SC) is already commercial and comes in many shapes and forms. The panel of images below showcases a number of prototypes and products which utilise a stretchable component and/or material. These pictures have been mainly (not entirely) taken by IDTechEx analysts at events around the world during the past five years.