What is the difference between additive technology (XTPL) and subtractive technology?
Subtractive manufacturing is a process by which designed objects, patterns or structures are obtained by successively cutting material away from a solid block of material. This method – although allowing for high control and precision – is material- and time-consuming. It is also not as versatile as the change of design requires complex adaptations. It was though commonly used method as for some components there was not additive process available that could provide the desired results. Additive manufacturing is any process by which objects, patterns or structures are constructed by successively depositing (adding) material until it becomes a predesigned shape. Modern additive printing has always been very useful for rapid prototyping but it is starting to make strong impact on the manufacturing as well. XTPL provides disruptive manufacturable technology for adding conductive & nonconductive submicron structures for various applications with unparalleled precision, one that cannot be replicated by any other printing method in the world. Juts to give an example – microdots currently obtained on the market usually have about 50 um, the minimum is 20 um – while XTPL currently achieves dots with diameter of 1 um, and plans to go even below this limit. XTPL technology works on most substrates, even ones that are flexible and not flat. Additive process here allows then for ultimate simplicity & versatility. XTPL solution responds to market need of progressing miniaturization and provides highest performance, one that can be fabricated by inexpensive & scalable methods.