Combining rapid prototyping techniques in mechanical engineering and electronics for realization of a variable capacitor

Purpose – This paper aims to present combination of poly-jet technology and ink-jet technology in a multidisciplinary way in order to exploit advantages of these rapid prototyping techniques in manufacturing a demonstrator device – a variable interdigital capacitor. Design/methodology/approach – The platform of 3D complex geometry, with optimized design and cavity under the capacitor's fingers (plates), was fabricated using Alaris 3D printer, whereas silver conductive segments were fabricated using Dimatix ink-jet printer and thanks to the mechanical flexibility the platform has been covered using these segments. Findings – When one side of the capacitor's structure changes angular position (in the range from 0 to 90°) with reference to the fixed part, the variation in total capacitance is obtained. The total capacitance decreases (in the range from 20.2 to 1.5 pF) with decrease in effective overlapping area for the variation of angular position from 0 to 90° The maximum measured tuning ratio for the prop...

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