The field of 3D injection molded structural electronics (IMSE) provides opportunities for in-molding printed electronics inside of plastics. TactoTek’s ground-breaking work in this field is opening new avenues for printed electronics, as the company can integrate both printed electronics and discrete electronic components such as LEDs and ICs into a 3D injection molded structure that can be mass produced economically using industry standard equipment.
 
TactoTek can add a variety of functionalities, including circuitry, lighting, printed sensors such as touch controls, and antennas. By encapsulating printed electronics systems in plastic, end users have the ability to utilize new form factors while ensuring maximum durability. This has understandably drawn much interest from customers.
 
“Brands and OEMs are constantly seeking differentiation,” said Dave Rice, SVP marketing for TactoTek. “3D smart surfaces enable form factor and functional innovation. TactoTek turns 3D plastics into smart molded structures by in-molding electronic functions within the plastics themselves.” 
 
TactoTek was founded in 2011 based on research that its co-founders had been doing for several years previously, and interest in its products grew quickly.
 
“As we tested those ideas in the marketplace, it became clear that our ability to in-mold printed electronics and electronic components, such as LEDs, inside of 3D plastics was unique, and appealed to many markets,” Rice said.
 
Headquartered in Kempele, Finland, TactoTek’s innovations have drawn the attention of the industry. TactoTek recently a €2.5 million EU Horizon 2020 award, which will help accelerate the company serve more customers and bring solutions to market faster.
 
Rice noted that the ability to in-mold printed electronics systems appeals to numerous markets, from automotive to wearables. The designs can be rigid or flexible, depending upon the application.
 
“TactoTek’s strongest market pull is from automotive, home appliances and wearable technology,” Rice said. “Most of the designs for automotive and home appliances are rigid products, and most of the wearable technology solutions are designed to be flexible. We also have strong interest for home automation, industrial controls, medical devices and other markets.”
 
TactoTek’s 3D injection molded technology offers numerous advantages to end users.
 
“By integrating key electronic functions into plastics, we deliver a number of advantages, including new form factor possibilities; light, thin designs; durability – encapsulating electronics in plastics protects them from moisture, debris, shock and vibration; new levels of capacitive touch performance; and simplified electro-mechanical assembly for easy integration,” Rice said.
 
Rice noted that TactoTek provides customers with support from design through production.
 
“TactoTek is a one-stop vendor for customers seeking Injection Molded Structural Electronics (IMSE) solutions,” Rice said. “We help customers adapt their designs into IMSE products, design tooling, build prototypes and develop product-specific optimizations for mass production. TactoTek mass produces some products, and licenses its technology and know-how to third parties (e.g., Tier 1 suppliers) in most cases.
 
“TactoTek has a vertically integrated manufacturing operation with all capabilities in-house: decoration printing, electronics printing, component (LED, IC) surface mounting, thermoforming, and injection molding,” he added. “Having all of these capabilities in-house enables us to iterate through design optimization very efficiently and take concepts from prototype to mass production quickly. TactoTek designs can be mass-produced cost-effectively and with capital equipment standard in the industry. For example, surface mount electronics are picked and placed in 2D, prior to thermoforming, which enables using standard high speed SMT equipment.”
 
TactoTek is seeing its hard work pay off with plenty of commercial opportunities in its pipeline.
 
“We have very strong interest from a number of markets; active projects targeting mass production, and many more in earlier stages of development,” Rice concluded.