Ultra Precision Control of a Reel to Reel Process – Mr Andrew Graham
Reel to reel production involves the passing of a flexible substrate or web continuously through one or more processes. This results in high output at a low unit cost when compared with other manufacturing methods. Historically this has included newspaper printing and textile manufacture, but research is now being conducted in developing printed electronics, such as solar cells (Organic Photo-Voltaic or OPV), and wearable tech and flexible screens (Polymer LEDs or PLEDs).
These devices consist of up to five layers. As a separate printing or coating process is needed for each layer, greater accuracy is required when compared with traditional reel to reel processes. Advances are therefore required in three areas: control of the web, measurement and registration of the printed web, and flexible semi-conductor materials. As measurement and registration of the printing process and control of the web are interlinked, this research focuses on these two areas.
This research is being undertaken at Cranfield University under the supervision of Paul Morantz.
Outputs
Conference Publications
Graham, A., Morantz, P. and Comley, P. (2016). Production of electronics and photovoltaics using a reel-to-reel process, Poster abstract: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, 30 May-3 June 2016, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK, 457-458.
Conference Presentations
Graham, A., Morantz, P. and Comley, P. (2016). Production of electronics and photovoltaics using a reel to reel process, Poster presentation, 16th International Conference of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology, 30 May-3 June 2016, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Posters
Graham, A., Morantz, P. and Comley P. (2016). Ultra precision control of a reel to reel process, Poster presentation to the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Ultra Precision Steering Meeting Committee, 24 February 2016, Cranfield University, UK.
Graham, A., Morantz, P. and Comley, P. (2016). Ultra precision control of a reel to reel process, PhD project poster, Cranfield University, UK.
Digital Media
Graham, A. (2015). Ultra precision control of a reel to reel process, PhD project video produced for an informal Centre competition in 2015.
