Abstract: An apparatus for printing a conductive ink onto a plastic panel including an articulatable arm having an end that opposes a surface of the panel. A nozzle is mounted via a nozzle height actuator to the end of the arm, and the nozzle is coupled to a source of conductive ink. A flow regulator, coupled to the ink source, regulates the flow rate of ink out of the nozzle and is controlled by the controller. A height sensor is configured to output a height signal relative to the surface and the controller, which is coupled to the arm, the flow regulator, the nozzle height actuator and the sensor, is configured to control the arm, flow regulator, nozzle height actuator, and speed of nozzle movement such that a conductive trace of predetermined height and width is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for printing a conductive trace on a plastic panel comprising: locating a nozzle proximate to a surface of a panel; moving the nozzle relative to the surface of the panel; sensing the surface of the panel relative to the height of the nozzle off of the panel; determining the speed at which the nozzle is being moved across the surface of the panel; adjusting at least one of the height of the nozzle relative to the surface of the panel and a flow rate of conductive ink out of the nozzle; and dispensing a conductive ink from the nozzle onto the surface of the panel to form the conductive trace. The conductive trace is formed with a predetermined width.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing a conductive ink onto a plastic panel including an articulatable arm having an end that opposes a surface of the panel. A nozzle is mounted via a nozzle height actuator to the end of the arm, and the nozzle is coupled to a source of conductive ink. A flow regulator, coupled to the ink source, regulates the flow rate of ink out of the nozzle and is controlled by the controller. A height sensor is configured to output a height signal relative to the surface and the controller, which is coupled to the arm, the flow regulator, the nozzle height actuator and the sensor, is configured to control the arm, flow regulator, nozzle height actuator, and speed of nozzle movement such that a conductive trace of predetermined height and width is applied to the substrate.