Direct Write

Direct write - adding components and subsystems to surfaces by 'printing' them on.

Direct write (DW) is a manufacturing processes that deposits functional materials in 3D onto arbitrary surfaces of a wide range of geometries.

Direct Write manufacturing techniques include:

• Ink jet
• Micro-spray
• Quill
• Pen
• Aerosol
• Pulsed laser evaporation
• Laser direct etching

What are the benefits of Direct Write?

Direct write has the ability to fabricate active and passive functional devices directly onto structural parts and assemblies. The benefits of utilising these techniques are increased functionality, reduced size and weight, reduced cost, design simplification, reduction in component number and a reduction in time to market.

Where can Direct Write be applied?

There are innumerable potential applications for Direct Write, such as RF devices, displays, stealth materials, meta-materials, packaging, sensors and harnesses. A wide range of passive elements fabricated by several processes has been evaluated by BAE Systems, including electrical, microwave and optical components.

BAE Systems DW facility

The micropen system can write lines from 50 microns to over 1mm in width on virtually any surface. Many types of material can be deposited including conducting, insulating, dielectric and optical materials. This system can write on conformal structures and over large areas.