3D circuit board printer launches on Kickstarter

The desktop device uses inkjet technology to print in elemental silver on a range of different surfaces, in the same way an inkjet printer does. According to its developers at Cartesian Co., users can create anything from a gamepad remote control to wearable technology 'in a matter of minutes'. Ariel Briner, co founder and head of electrical design at Cartesian, said: "There is a real barrier into the world of complex circuitry. We've been thinking about how to design a printer that creates circuit boards for four years now and developed the EX¹ over the last 9 months. We hope the Kickstarter community will feel as passionate about the project as we do." The EX¹ has two inkjet cartridges and prints onto a substrate in the same way an average desktop printer would. However, instead of ink the EX¹ lays down two chemicals that mix together and produce silver nanoparticles, leaving a silver image on the substrate. The EX¹ can print on both conventional circuit board materials and various types of plastic, glass, wood, ceramic, silicone and even fabric and paper. Just one day after launch, the device has already exceeded its $30,000 goal on Kickstarter. For more information, or to support the campaign, click here.