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[March 2007]
Direct Writing Association announces the 1st International Direct Writing Conference
Direct Writing is a term that business people, manufacturers and healthcare professionals will be using in the next few years, but is really an umbrella term which describes an exciting new type of manufacturing which combines a range of existing technologies like lasers and inkjet printing with new materials but then pushes the limits of what these technologies where originally developed for.Using direct writing technologies, it is possible to directly fabricate two or three dimensional functional structures or add ('write') new materials directly onto existing objects - which might be either flat (like a circuit board) or 'conformal' complex surfaces of objects like an aircraft wing or a car suspension component with extremely complex shapes . Using appropriate techniques, this can be on a large scale or on the extremely small (e.g. nano) scale and by marrying these technologies with newly developed materials specifically designed for direct writing allows us to create things which it would be impossible to make by any other method.
At present there are exciting developments across a range of sectors including automotive, pharmaceuticals, aeronautical and biotechnology industries. Leading universities are working with companies on applications in the field of health, electronics and consumer products.
Examples of what people in the field of direct writing are actually doing, or are about to do include:
Healthcare
Medical researchers working closely with surgeons have successfully developed direct writing techniques to 'print' three dimensional bone-like structures to surgically replace damaged or missing bone. These structures can be infused with living cells so that they will begin to grow when implanted in the body and are made of materials which slowly and harmlessly dissolve as the new bone grows to take its place. Similar techniques have been developed for other tissues like cartilage and skin.
Pharmaceutical companies can use direct writing technologies to create tablets with combinations and dosages of drugs unique to an individual – instead of taking 20 tablets to get the correct combination, patients can take just one tablet customised to their exact requirements.
High performance engineering
In Formula One, teams have already successfully used direct writing methods to 'print' electrical wiring directly onto the surfaces of the tub and suspension of their racing car to connect the electronics systems and sensors – thus reducing the weight of normal wiring looms.
In aerospace the technology to direct write wiring, sensors and output devices onto the surface of a fighter pilots helmet making it much lighter and 'smarter' has already been proven.
Other research groups have already successfully demonstrated direct writing techniques to move individual atoms around on a substrate to create 'machines' which can function at the atomic or molecular level.
Consumer Electronics
Many projects are working on scaling-up the manufacture of complete electronic products by direct writing electronic components (resistors, capacitors, LEDs, etc.) and their connecting 'wiring' onto a circuit board in a single process – thereby saving time and energy in the manufacturing process, dramatically reducing waste and allowing flexibility and customisation of products to unheard of levels.
Construction
By the direct writing of concrete-like materials (deposited in layers carefully controlled by computers) wall for buildings can be directly created from the ground up with spaces for doors and windows and channels for wiring and plumbing, etc. 'programmed' in, thus making construction more environmentally friendly by reducing build time, energy used and waste.
The Direct Writing Association is a group of research, manufacturing and supply organisations whose joint aim is to facilitate the development of cost-effective direct writing technologies across the globe.
If you want to hear about the latest developments and meet researchers, manufacturers and supplier of direct writing technologies and materials, or you believe direct writing may help to solve a problem that your industry has and you would like to meet and discuss your ideas or questions or if you simply wish to keep up to date with the latest developments, you should be seriously thinking about attending the 1st International Direct Writing Conference to be held in Durham on the 16th & 17th April 2007.
For more details of this exciting event or to book your place, visit the conference website at http://www.dwaconference.com
ENDS