Design and development of high precision elastomeric-stamp wrapping system for roll-to-roll multi-layer microcontact printing

Microcontact printing is an emerging printing technique that could potentially find application in the electronics industry. High-speed roll-to-roll equipment was built at Nano Terra, Inc in 2008, for microcontact printing. However, the equipment was a proof-of-concept, capable of single-layer printing, while the industry requires a multi-layer printing capability. In addition, the quality of printing it delivered was not industry competitive. The existing equipment has thus been upgraded with a view to achieve high-precision multi-layer microcontact printing; including a new method to manufacture a flat stamp, design of a high-precision wrapping system, design of a five-axis positioning system, and modification of the impression roller. This thesis describes in detail the design of an innovative high-precision system to wrap the elastomeric stamp on the print roller. This is followed by results of multilayer printing experiments, using the improved equipment. The potential for microcontact printing as a forthcoming technology for the electronics industry was confirmed. Further improvements are also suggested that would help deliver this promise.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Datar, Charudatta Achyut

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• David E. Hardt.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/55212

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/55212