Printed electronics on glass has been part of the programme of Bavarian glass specialists Irlbacher for 20 years. While the solutions were previously limited in format, glass longboards up to 1500 x 500 mm can now be realised. A correspondingly optimised production line allows not only analogue or digital screen printing of logos, graphic elements or multi-material designs. In the same system, it is also possible to print conductive paths and circuits on the glass.

By assembling the electronics directly onto the glass, which is itself part of the housing solution, very slim construction heights of less than 10 mm can be achieved. One example of this is the OMLED designer living room luminaires, which are just 9 mm thin, allowing the light to float in the room.

The shape and size of the flat glass can be freely selected, as can the processing of the edges from angular to soft. Further options may be integrated, such as touch functionalities, haptic elements, EMC protection, invisible windows for IR communication, anti-reflective coating or optical bonding, just to name a few. Depending on the application, degrees of protection up to IP68K can be achieved.

Once all the machining and printing processes have been completed, the flat glass is further processed into toughened safety glass. The circuits printed on the glass are then conventionally SMD assembled and soldered. Further processing steps, such as varnishing or moulding the electronics, gluing on fastening solutions through to device construction, logistics and consignment stock are possible on request.

UV-resistant, brilliant and chemically inert ceramic colour systems are available for printing, as well as special and design colours or classic CMYK colour solutions. On request, Irlbacher provides colour matching and colour replacement services.