The Apex 3DMPSTM process for 3D circuits is a very unique and proprietary blend of several different skills, machines, and processes. Here are some of the suggested actions that can positively affect early design trade-offs and guidelines for most applications:
1) Contact Apex early in the design process to discuss the possibilities of your product using 3DMPSTM. Apex will provide accurate, valuable, and timely feedback that will positively affect your design. As with nearly all manufacturing processes- your production and marketing results will be positively affected if the overall design intent is discussed in the very early stages of the product with the experts who know the technology best (Apex is the authority on 3D circuits and 3DMPSTM). Don't wait until your parts have already been designed and molded to call Apex, this may be too late to make the changes needed for an effective 3DMPSTM design.
2) Good molding practice generally means good 3DMPSTM design. Injection molded parts utilize varied "bags of tricks" to enable better molded parts. Some of these include generous draft on edges, radius on some edges, and smooth mold finish. Various injection molding parameters such as temperature, pressure, dwell, etc. can also affect the overall processing quality and cost of a well-designed 3DMPSTM part.
3) Material selection is extremely important to your 3DMPSTM candidate part. In addition to the general guidelines above 3DMPSTM must use a molded plastic resin that can be effectively plated. Apex can provide many suggestions for materials that have been tested and proven using the 3DMPSTM process. Many of the materials can accomodate varied goals including high temperature (for soldering), high mechanical strength, toughness, cheap materials, easily molded plastics, and other goals that may be important to your design. A few common materials used with the 3DMPSTM process are LCP, PEI, PC/ABS, ABS, FR-4 & other epoxy-glass laminates. Please call Apex to discuss these details with an experienced, full-time materials scientist.
1) Contact Apex early in the design process to discuss the possibilities of your product using 3DMPSTM. Apex will provide accurate, valuable, and timely feedback that will positively affect your design. As with nearly all manufacturing processes- your production and marketing results will be positively affected if the overall design intent is discussed in the very early stages of the product with the experts who know the technology best (Apex is the authority on 3D circuits and 3DMPSTM). Don't wait until your parts have already been designed and molded to call Apex, this may be too late to make the changes needed for an effective 3DMPSTM design.
2) Good molding practice generally means good 3DMPSTM design. Injection molded parts utilize varied "bags of tricks" to enable better molded parts. Some of these include generous draft on edges, radius on some edges, and smooth mold finish. Various injection molding parameters such as temperature, pressure, dwell, etc. can also affect the overall processing quality and cost of a well-designed 3DMPSTM part.
3) Material selection is extremely important to your 3DMPSTM candidate part. In addition to the general guidelines above 3DMPSTM must use a molded plastic resin that can be effectively plated. Apex can provide many suggestions for materials that have been tested and proven using the 3DMPSTM process. Many of the materials can accomodate varied goals including high temperature (for soldering), high mechanical strength, toughness, cheap materials, easily molded plastics, and other goals that may be important to your design. A few common materials used with the 3DMPSTM process are LCP, PEI, PC/ABS, ABS, FR-4 & other epoxy-glass laminates. Please call Apex to discuss these details with an experienced, full-time materials scientist.
