{"id":1117,"date":"2026-02-19T10:07:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T09:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.profactor.at\/solution\/functional-and-freeform-inkjet-printing\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T09:32:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T07:32:07","slug":"functional-and-freeform-inkjet-printing","status":"publish","type":"solution","link":"https:\/\/www.profactor.at\/en\/solution\/functional-and-freeform-inkjet-printing\/","title":{"rendered":"Functional and Freeform Inkjet Printing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Digitally printed electronics, biomaterials, and component decoration.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Demand for flexible and cost-efficient production processes is increasing across industries – from electronics manufacturing and medical implants to the decorative design of complex product surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conventional analog printing and coating processes are increasingly reaching technological and economic limits, especially where high flexibility and product variety are required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industrial inkjet printing technology enables the digital fabrication and functionalization of electronic and medical components, as well as high-resolution digital printing on freeform surfaces \u2013 a field that PROFACTOR has been systematically researching and developing for industrial applications for over ten years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is scalable, flexible printing processes that enable sophisticated designs and functional component properties, reduce process steps, and significantly shorten time to market.<\/p>\n\n\n

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3D-Printed Electronics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using industrial printheads, conductive and dielectric inks are deposited layer by layer onto rigid or flexible substrates of various materials.<\/p>\n

The 3D printing process is fully compatible with conventional electronics design data.<\/p>\n

Ideally suited for prototyping and small series production of multilayer PCBs, sensors, antennas, smart textiles, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

Digital printing on freeform surfaces<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Curved surfaces are printed in high resolution using industrial print heads, with print data and print path precisely aligned.<\/p>\n

Conventional robots or multi-axis systems move the component and\/or the print head.<\/p>\n

Freeform inkjet printing is suitable for the graphical decoration of technical components or consumer products, from batch-size-one to large-scale production.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

3D-Printed biomaterials<\/strong><\/p>\n

Biocompatible materials (biomaterial inks) are digitally printed onto (3D) surfaces using industrial print heads.<\/p>\n

When applied to ceramic base components, patient-specific implants are created to optimize cell growth.<\/p>\n

For use in diagnostics, bioactive layers are digitally printed onto test substrates to precisely influence biological reactions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Technologies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Piezo Inkjet Technology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Piezo inkjet printheads (drop-on-demand) enable the digital and highly precise application of tiny ink droplets onto a surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Industrial print heads feature hundreds of parallel nozzles, allowing high-resolution images or structures to be printed contactlessly, quickly, and reliably onto flat or curved surfaces.
Suitable for both thin decorative layers and multilayered, functional 3D structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inkjet Inks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inkjet-compatible inks are characterized by low viscosity and small particle sizes, or specialized flow characteristics, enabling the controlled formation of tiny droplets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In water- or solvent-based inks, conductive, dielectric, biomaterial, or pigment nanoparticles or finely dispersed, or dyes are dissolved, forming the printed layer after curing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inks are selected together with the printhead depending on surface properties and the desired print quality. For this, we work closely with a variety of established ink manufacturers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Substrates & Materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a contactless printing process, inkjet enables printing on almost any rigid, flexible, porous, or stretchable substrate and component, whether flat or curved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the application, pre- and post-treatment steps such as cleaning, surface activation, or sintering may be necessary to ensure properties like adhesion, scratch resistance, or conductivity.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Solutions for Innovative Products<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Developing the core technology in-house enables us to tailor processes individually to meet specific customer requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n

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3D-Printed Electronics: Antennas and Sensors<\/h3>

Integration of digitally printed sensors and antennas together with conventional signal processing electronics on a single component.<\/p>\n

High flexibility regarding base material and design changes.<\/p>\n

Scalable across all stages – from prototyping to small series production.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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3D-Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)<\/h3>

Fully digitally printed multilayer PCBs according to your design specifications.<\/p>\n

Short development cycles enabled by digital manufacturing and simultaneous production of different electrical designs.<\/p>\n

Custom manufacturing from prototypes to small series with short lead times. Made in Europe. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

\"Freiform<\/div>

Freeform Inkjet Printing Technology<\/h3>

Processes and systems for the digital decoration of freeform surfaces and complex component geometries.<\/p>\n

Robotic or multi-axis systems move the print head or the component to enable precise single-colour or multicolour printing.<\/p>\n

Process steps are individually adapted to material properties, including pre- and post-treatment, to ensure reproducible print quality.<\/p>\n

Substitution of existing analog coating processes with flexible, digital printing technologies.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Biomaterial inkjet printing technology<\/h3>

Development of (bioresorbable) biomaterial inks for digital printing.<\/p>\n

Process development for 3D printing of structured functional layers on patient-specific implants for human medicine.<\/p>\n

Digital surface functionalization of lab-on-a-chip components for diagnostics using biologically active materials.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Added Value through Industrial Inkjet Printing<\/h2>\n

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High-resolution product customization<\/h3>
through digital adaptation of images to the component.<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Smart components<\/h3>
through surface functionalization using conductive, dielectric, or biomaterial inks.<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Cost efficiency even for small and medium quantities<\/h3>
thanks to a fully digital, additive process and compatibility with standard procedures.<\/div><\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Application Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Selected examples demonstrate the diverse applications of our inkjet printing technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together with customers and partners from a wide range of industries, PROFACTOR has developed and successfully realized digitally printed electronics systems, medical implants, and industrial components.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Nahaufnahme
Fully 3D-printed multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs)<\/div><\/div>
\"3D
3D-printed sensors for integration into textiles for patient monitoring<\/div><\/div>
\"Transparente
Functionalization of ceramic parts for patient-specific implants<\/div><\/div>
\"Robotergest\u00fctzter
Freeform inkjet printing for the decoration of shoes<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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PROFACTOR, Your Technology Partner<\/h2>

From innovative ideas to industrial implementation.<\/h3><\/div><\/div>

Requirements and Feasibility[<\/h4>\n

After a confidential exchange of information, we clarify objectives and initial requirements.<\/p>\n

If needed, we test the basic feasibility in the laboratory using an initial selection of inks and practical test prints.<\/p>\n

This creates a shared understanding of the solution concept, along with a rough cost estimate, as a basis for the following development stages.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Process Development, Demonstrators, and Small Series Production<\/h4>\n

If necessary, we develop a customized printing process based on our (3D) inkjet technology and selected inks. This involves design optimizations and regular coordination with you. <\/p>\n

We print your components (PCBs, sensors, antennas, etc.) as prototypes. This allows you to comprehensively evaluate their function and quality. <\/p>\n

Subsequently, we manufacture small series for comprehensive field testing or for direct use in batch-size-one products.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Customized Printing Technology and Systems<\/h4>\n

For digital printing on curved surfaces, we develop and build customized inkjet printing systems tailored to your requirements.<\/p>\n

We combine our inkjet technology with robotic or multi-axis systems for efficient decoration, customization, or functionalization of free-form components.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Proven Partnerships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Selected customers and partners from joint development and industrial projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Sunplugged<\/div>
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\"RISE<\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Current Research Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our technology portfolio is based on a large number of research projects with national and international partners from industry, universities and research institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We combine practical requirements with global trends to develop forward-looking research initiatives. Together with our partners, we develop printing technologies for high-quality and efficient additive manufacturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our research focuses on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n