METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL TRACES, CIRCUITS AND DEVICES

摘要

A printer (108) forms conductive traces (116) on the print media (114) for circuit connection, such as for connecting to integrated circuit chips. The printer (108) prints the conductive traces (116) according to a digital representation of a desired conductor pattern (112) produced with a computer system (102), thus eliminating typical masking and photolithographic steps. In one embodiment, the printer (108) includes three print heads in series and a transport mechanism that transport the print media past the print heads to print conductive, dielectric, and/or ferromagnetic inks. In another embodiment, the printer includes a single print head that sequentially prints each of the inks. By printing not only conductive material, the printer (108) can print various impedance elements, including resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The printer can also print N- and P-type material to produce active circuit elements. The printer can print various other electrical devices, all in a very inexpensive manner.