Scientific Background
Lightweight and flexible electronics and the digital material deposition of functional layers on flexible substrates both on lab-scale are investigated worldwide. Researchers mostly focus on material sciences as well as on single devices and less on manufacturing technologies and machine development. For the industrialization of this knowledge gained worldwide intelligent and flexible manufacturing technologies are necessary to get closer to an individualized production by digital methods and batch size one.
Project and Objective
Co-Up! has the aim to build up a systematic model of roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing lines to investigate the influence when combining Digital Printing and Gravure Printing onto substrate handling within a manufacturing line. One of the main challenges in the manufacturing process is the accuracy of superimposing material layers after post treatment steps. The objectives of Co-Up! are as follows:
- Optimization of single-layer fabrication using inkjet and gravure printing methods including characterization of flexible substrates and applied inks. Development of a mathematical model and a simulation based on existing machinery in the laboratories of Konkuk University and Chemnitz University of Technology.
- Research of multi-layer fabrication using inkjet and gravure printing methods. Expansion of the mathematical modeling and simulation by superimposing both material deposition methods. Demonstration of a working hybrid manufacturing line combining digital material deposition and gravure printing on lab-scale. Finally, based on the gained results, a concept for a manufacturing line will be developed.
These objectives will be accomplished by cooperative works including the exchange of knowledge during workshops in South Korea and Germany.
Aspects of Research Structure
Both research groups established over the recent years a periodic exchange of students and scientific ideas based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2007 on institute level. This development will be deepened during the research to build up cooperation on university level establishing multidisciplinary and interfaculty teamwork for the development of joint research and exchange.
