Dot Dispensing
Dispense precise microdots of functional materials on demand
Dot Dispensing
Dispense precise microdots of functional materials on demand
Dot dispensing is a digitally controlled, drop-on-demand process that precisely deposits discrete volumes of liquid material (“dots”), ranging from picoliters to microliters, onto substrates. It employs various methods such as piezoelectric or solenoid jet valves, pneumatic dispensers, positive-displacement pistons, and direct ink writing (DIW).
Dot dispensing applications span diverse fields, including microelectronics assembly (solder paste, conductive adhesives, underfill encapsulation), bioscience (microarrays, cell/biomaterial patterning, drug discovery), genomics, printed electronics, microfluidics, light displays, and flexible sensors.
APPLICABLE INDUSTRIES
- Academia
- Healthcare
- Semiconductors
- Energy storage
- Consumer electronics
COMMON MATERIALS
- Conductive materials
- Solder pastes
- Adhesives
- Hydrogels
- Bioinks
- Polymer composites
COMMON SUBSTRATES
- Silicon wafers
- PCBs (FR4)
- Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)
- poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN)
- Polyimide (PI/Kapton)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY
FUTURE OUTLOOK
FAST FACTS
Frequently asked questions
- Direct ink writing: ~1-100 µm line widths, depending on nozzle diameter and ink rheology [2].
- Piezoelectric inkjet: droplet volumes in the picoliter range, feature sizes ~20-60 µm [7].
- Electrohydrodynamic jetting: sub-micrometer resolution reported in lab setups [8].
For more information about different dot dispensing technologies, check out our blog on dot dispensing.
It depends on your material and application:
- Direct ink writing: Ideal for viscous or particle-laden inks, 3D structures, and when mechanical strength after deposition is important
- Inkjet: Best for high-resolution, low-viscosity inks
- Electrohydrodynamic: Research-level methods for extremely fine resolution or nozzle-free operation
High-viscosity fluids (>100 cP) are typically handled by contact-based systems such as auger valves, time-pressure dispensers, or needle-based systems. Unlike inkjet, which is limited to lower viscosity ranges, these apply pressure or mechanical force directly to extrude viscous materials .
- Direct ink writing: ~1-100 µm line widths, depending on nozzle diameter and ink rheology [2].
- Piezoelectric inkjet: droplet volumes in the picoliter range, feature sizes ~20-60 µm [7].
- Electrohydrodynamic jetting: sub-micrometer resolution reported in lab setups [8].
For more information about different dot dispensing technologies, check out our blog on dot dispensing.
High-viscosity fluids (>100 cP) are typically handled by contact-based systems such as auger valves, time-pressure dispensers, or needle-based systems. Unlike inkjet, which is limited to lower viscosity ranges, these apply pressure or mechanical force directly to extrude viscous materials .
It depends on your material and application:
- Direct ink writing: Ideal for viscous or particle-laden inks, 3D structures, and when mechanical strength after deposition is important
- Inkjet: Best for high-resolution, low-viscosity inks
- Electrohydrodynamic: Research-level methods for extremely fine resolution or nozzle-free operation