Abstract
Additive printing techniques, particularly inkjet printing, have gained significant traction in the manufacturing of electronic circuits due to their cost-effective and time-efficient nature. Inkjet printing offers several advantages over traditional methods like screen printing, including printing fine lines and utilizing a broader range of conductive inks. Water-based silver ink is an environmentally friendly and highly conductive option. The water-based formulation eliminates the need for toxic solvents, ensuring a safer manufacturing and disposal process. This paper focuses on evaluating the performance of functional circuits additively printed with water-based silver ink using an inkjet platform. The circuits were printed onto a flexible Polyimide substrate using an inkjet printer with a piezoelectric printhead. Functional circuits comprising High-Pass and Low-Pass Signal Filters were printed using water-based silver ink, with discrete commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components attached. The frequency response of these circuits was measured and compared to simulated responses to determine any deviations in electrical performance. The viability of repairing printed circuits was studied by intentionally detaching and reattaching the components. The repaired circuits were then compared to the pristine circuits in terms of their electrical performance.
