The system, designated the DMP-2800 series, enables users to form complex patterns to create desired shapes, layers, or even products, by printing their own fluids onto any substrate up to 5 centimeters thick. By directly printing on their own substrates, users can rapidly develop prototypes and keep process technology in house.

Dimatix (Santa Clara, Calif.), developed the system to bridge the gap between more complex, costlier production ink jet printing systems and traditional prototype systems, according to Martin Schoeppler, vice president of business development and marketing.

"Existing production ink jet equipment costs half a million dollars, while existing prototyping equipment has more limited capability," said Schoeppler in an interview with EE Times. He explained that existing prototype systems would require constant user maintenance, such as cleaning the print cartridges after each use, and lack features such as an X-Y stage.

Dimatix's system has an X-Y table with a 9 x 12-in. printing area and uses low-cost, disposable ink jet print cartridges. It comes with PC software and is available in versions with or without a fiducial camera.

According to Schoeppler, Dimatix plans to scale the technology used in the DMP-2800 series to form production-level systems, by adding provisions to use multiple ink jet cartridges, handle larger substrates, and perform substrate curing.

List price for the DMP-2800 series without the camera (DMP-2811) starts under $25,000, while the camera version (DMP-2831) will sell for under $30,000. Shipments will begin October.