Ink Jet Printing System features user-fillable cartridges.

Press Release Summary:



Dimatix Materials Printer (DMP) system performs high-precision jetting of functional fluids, including nano-particle-based metallic and organic materials, on any type of surface. Turnkey system is capable of depositing 10 picoliter size micro-droplets of fluid for printing feature sizes or line widths as small as 50 microns. System includes DMP-2800 series printer; 40 DMC-11610 cartridges that can be filled with any type of jettable fluid; and PC-based software.



Original Press Release:



Dimatix Revolutionizes Materials Deposition with Industry's First Low-Cost, Cartridge-Based Ink Jet Printing System



Direct Deposition of New Fluid Materials Offers Easier, Faster and Less Expensive Product Development for Electronics, Flat Panel Displays, Life Sciences and Other Industries

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 15 / -- Dimatix, a leading provider of commercial and industrial ink jet products, today introduced its cartridge-based Dimatix Materials Printer (DMP) system, the world's first complete, low-cost solution for high-precision jetting of functional fluids -- including nano-particle-based metallic and organic materials -- on any type of surface, including plastic, metal sheets, silicon and paper. The groundbreaking "fill your own cartridge" concept together with a complete print system offers an extremely low cost of ownership. The turnkey system is an easy to use tool for corporations and research institutes to quickly develop and test processes and prototypes, as well as conduct low-volume manufacturing of a broad range of products -- from flexible circuits, RFID tags and displays to DNA arrays, optical lenses and wearable electronics.

"As promised when we launched the Dimatix Materials Deposition Division in May of this year, we are now delivering our first materials deposition products based on our leading piezo electronic ink jet printing technology," said John Batterton, Dimatix CEO. "Dimatix is pleased to be leading the way in this new area of materials deposition that can bring significant improvements to new product development and manufacturing in a broad range of industries."

The high-performance, precision system is capable of depositing 10 picoliter size micro-droplets of fluid for printing feature sizes or line widths as small as 50 microns. The system includes Dimatix's DMP-2800 series printer, DMC-11610 cartridges that customers can fill with any type of jettable fluid, and user-friendly PC-based software. Together, the printer, cartridges and software provide a turnkey system that enables customers to develop new materials and products, bringing them to market faster, more simply and at a significantly lower cost.

"Dimatix has generated a quantum leap in small-drop materials deposition," stated Andreas Bibl, Dimatix CTO and president of the Materials Deposition Division. "We've leveraged our unique MEMS-based production capability that creates ultra-miniature ink jet structures within silicon to revolutionize development and manufacturing processes. With our new system, customers maximize return from their R&D investment -- enabling them to get their next- generation products to market more quickly, generating more profit than they ever thought possible. The potential is almost limitless."

"We're talking about a revolutionary way for companies to develop and manufacture products," said Marco Boer, consulting partner with market research firm IT Strategies. "Dimatix's new system works in a purely additive mode, without requiring subtractive methods such as masking, etching or lithography. With such precious and often expensive materials as nano- particle-based metallic materials, semiconducting and light-emitting polymers, proteomics, and cell structures and DNA, the ability to control and precisely monitor the amount and location of materials deposition is vitally important. This technology has the potential to change the face of the electronics, display, life sciences and chemical markets."

"The ability to directly print fluids like our Inkjet Printable Silver Conductor is advantageous for electronics and display fabrication, especially for short runs and prototyping," said James Caruso, director, sales and marketing, Cabot Corporation, Printable Electronics and Displays. "With the new Dimatix system, our customers can verify and test the Silver Conductor in a standard and low-cost way, making it faster, easier and less expensive for them to develop printed RFID antennas and tags, digitally printed multi-layer circuit boards, printed membrane keyboards, smart packages, security devices, disposable electronics and other products."

Easy-to-Use, Affordable System

The patented DMP-2800 series -- a bench-top precision digital materials deposition system with versatile capabilities -- enables users to jet complex patterns to create desired shapes, layers or even products by printing their own fluids onto any substrate up to five centimeters in thickness. By directly printing on their substrates, customers can rapidly develop prototypes and keep process technology in-house. The printer's small size and low price make it convenient and easy to use and own. The user-friendly cartridge system allows customers to perform print and deposition functions without having to become fluid jet experts.

Initial products in the DMP-2800 series include the DMP-2811 printer (with dropwatch and heated platen), DMP-2831 printer (with dropwatch, heated theta platen and fiducial camera), and the DMC-11610 cartridge (10 picoliters, 16 nozzles). At 26 inches (673 mm) wide, 23 inches (584 mm) deep and 16 inches (419 mm) high, the printer is small enough to fit on a bench top.

Pricing for the DMP-2811 starts at under US$25,000, and pricing for the DMP-2831 starts at under US$30,000. Each system includes the printer, PC software, 40 DMC-11610 cartridges and a standard one-year warranty. In-person and online training sessions will be offered when the new systems are available in September 2005 in the United States, October 2005 in Europe and early 2006 in Asia. To order products or for more detailed product information, visit www.dimatix.com, call +1-408-565-9150 or e-mail infomdd@dimatix.com.

About Dimatix

Dimatix is driving a revolution in micro-production technology that will deliver a new generation of applications in imaging, electronics and bioscience. The company's technology innovations and world-class fabrication processes enable high-performance, precision printing and deposition of traditional inks and nano-particle fluids on all types of surfaces, including flexible substrates. Dimatix is a leading developer and manufacturer of high- performance ink jet printheads and components used in a broad range of industrial, non-impact imaging applications through its Spectra Printing Division. The Dimatix Materials Deposition Division is evolving ink jetting technology into a production process that lowers the cost, time and environmental impact of producing electronic circuits and functions for RFID tags, flat panel displays, circuit boards and other electronic and bioscience applications. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif.; its Spectra division is located in Lebanon, New Hampshire; and its customer base is worldwide. For more information, visit www.dimatix.com.

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