J.A.M.E.S. Takes First Steps to Advance AME

There’s plenty of momentum behind use of additive manufacturing (AM) to promote innovation and streamline production of automotive and aerospace applications. Where you hear less talk is on how to apply various AM technologies to the design and manufacture of complex electronics.

A partnership between Nano Dimension, the company behind the DragonFly system for additively manufacturing electronics (AME), and Hensoldt, which makes sensor technologies for the defense sector, aims to change that. The two have partnered to create J.A.M.E.S. (Jetted Additively Manufactured Electronics Sources), which is tasked with advancing use of AME through an online platform and community of experts and enthusiasts.

The recently-launched FrAMEwork platform intends to become the largest collection of AME processes and design know-how, providing an entry point for different types of users, all with varying levels of expertise and interest in the technology. The partners’ goal: To make AME accessible and usable and to create a community that will drive adoption and influence the future AME advancements.

As part of its mission, J.A.M.E.S. hopes the community will come together to showcase where AME technology can be improved to provide additional value to users; to help develop a requirements list and architecture; and to serve as an enabler for future projects in this space.

“We want to create a community of people who are designing these AME products and components so everyone can learn how to apply this vision to be more efficient and more environmental friendly,” said Yoav Stern, chairman and CEO of Nano Dimension.  It’s a business-to-business community where you can share data, share designs, and have access to in-house services and labs to evolve and promote designs, he added.

The partners came together through common interests—Hensoldt was a Nano Dimension customer, and the pair shared a vision to advance AME to enable visionary electronics applications that aren’t possible with conventional PCB manufacturing. Embrace of AME practices has already given Hensoldt an edge and pushing its boundaries could be a gamechanger for the electronics market, leading to shorter lead times, faster prototyping cycles, and an ability to bring more innovative products to market, according to Marian Rachow, head of Hensoldt Ventures. In addition, AME has the potential to be more environmentally friendly than traditional electronics manufacturing methods and can benefit from the availability of new materials.

The J.A.M.E.S. FrAMEwork platform serves up a library with in-depth AME tutorials, publications, and other learning materials. There is also access to a community where members can freely share advice and collaborate with like-minded AME practitioners.

For more about the J.A.M.E.S. partnership, check out this video.