- Nano Dimension Survey of Nearly 1,000 Designers and Engineers Reveals They Want to Protect their IP While Reducing Prototyping Time and Costs
NESS ZIONA, ISRAEL, October 26, 2016 – Polling of printed circuit board (PCB) designers and manufacturers, electrical engineers, OEMs and others interested in 3D-printed PCBs and circuits reveals that there is increasing demand for in-house prototyping for research and product development. The interest is particularly keen among companies that spend as much or more than $100,000 each year for prototyping services.
Of the more than 975 respondents – representing 31 industries and disciplines and 25 countries – participating in the survey conducted by Nano Dimension Ltd., 70 percent spend up to $50,000 and 14 percent noted they spend more than $50,000 each year on PCB prototyping. Additionally, a full 16 percent, or 142 respondents, are paying more than $100,000 to outsourced prototyping vendors annually. Most respondents explained that the prototyping costs were high because they require the fabrication of complex, multilayer PCBs – with 66 percent of those surveyed saying their designs involve multiple layers.
While more than 9 in 10 respondents said their companies rely on off-site prototyping facilities today, nearly two in three said they believe their intellectual property (IP) is at risk when they do so. Many say they would like options for printing their own PCBs internally.
“Designers and engineers clearly want faster turnaround times and reduced risks when sending out their design files for prototyping,” said Simon Fried, Nano Dimension’s Chief Business Officer and a company co-founder. “But with nearly all of the manufacturing houses located in Asia, timeliness is rarely an option. In fact, sometimes they end up with PCBs for production that are not optimized as much as they would like due to the long lead times. And sending out designs always increases the odds that the IP could be copied or stolen.”
Even when the prototyping houses are fully trusted partners, the time constraints associated with outsourcing can stifle creativity. Many designers rely upon “safe” PCB designs rather than exploring innovative new ideas for fear they may lead to multiple iterations – and added delays – with the prototyping facility.
“With innovative alternatives like Nano Dimension’s DragonFly 2020 3D Printer, the electronics market can finally catch up to other types of manufacturing that have benefitted from additive manufacturing,” Fried said. “Our survey shows the need is there, and the market is ready for 3D-printed PCBs that can be made on-site quickly and cost-effectively.”
Nano Dimension, a leader in the area of 3D printed electronics, (NASDAQ, TASE: NNDM), hosts the survey on its web site. Respondents represent industries ranging from PCB manufacturers and OEMs to engineering, defense, manufacturing, aerospace, electronics, medical, sensors and wearables, telecommunications, energy and others.
Visit Nano Dimension at electronica and formnext
Nano Dimension will demonstrate its revolutionary DragonFly 2020 3D Printer, the industry’s first PCB and circuit prototyping printer, at electronica in Munich, Germany, November 8-11, 2016, in Hall C4 Booth 133. Simon Fried will be a featured speaker at the show’s PCB & Components Marketplace, presenting “3D Printed Electronics: A New Dimension in PCB Prototyping & Manufacturing,” in Hall B on Wednesday, November 9, from 16:30 to 17:00.
At formnext 2016 (Nov. 15-18, Frankfurt, Germany) Mr. Fried will discuss the challenges and benefits of 3D printing for PCBs and the future outlook for 3D printed electronics. His discussion will take place on the show’s main stage on Friday, November 18 at 11:30 am. Nano Dimension will demonstrate the DragonFly 2020 in Hall 3.1, Stand B60F.
About Nano Dimension
Nano Dimension Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: NNDM), founded in 2012, focuses on development of advanced 3D printed electronics systems and advanced additive manufacturing. Nano Dimension’s unique products combine three advanced technologies: 3D inkjet, 3D software and nanomaterials. The company’s primary products include the first 3D printer dedicated to printing multi-layer PCBs (printed circuit boards) and advanced nanotechnology-based conductive and dielectric inks.
In addition to the trading of the company’s American Depositary Shares on NASDAQ, the company’s ordinary shares are also traded on the TASE in Israel. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the depositary for Nano Dimension. Visit us on the web at www.nano-di.com, and follow us on Twitter @3DPCB.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Nano Dimension’s current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties and actual results, performance or achievements of Nano Dimension could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release.
For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the potential of our technology and that it may reduce the number of critical systems in a printer and thus allow for a significant reduction in production cost, increase printing speed, system miniaturization and increase overall system reliability, and also when we discuss that our technology may reduce cost and complexity. In addition, we cannot assure that any patent will issue as a result of a pending patent application or, if issued, whether it will issue in a form that will be advantageous to us. The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Nano Dimension’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 8, 2016, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Nano Dimension undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Source: Nano Dimension
