David Savastano, Editor07.14.10
Accuracy is critical on all levels of printed electronics, beginning in the lab all the way through full-scale production. A company can come up with an amazing application, but they also have to be able to manufacture the product, which requires equipment suppliers who have the experience and expertise to meet the most specific tolerances.
For Haiku Tech Inc., customizing machinery for multi-layer materials is second nature. Haiku Tech Inc. specializes in innovative, materials, equipment and technology to efficiently produce coated and printed electronics.
Since Haiku Tech was founded in 1996, the company has successfully carved out its niche in serving the multi-layer electronics components industry.
The idea for Haiku Tech came about when Roderik Höppener needed customized machines to produce multi-layer materials for a project he was working on for a chemical company in The Netherlands. He began working with KEKO Equipment, a leader in the manufacture of machines for the production of multi-layer passive ceramic components, located in Zuzemberk, Slovenia.
Realizing the potential for the market, Höppener started marketing and sales of KEKO Equipment worldwide, forming Haiku Tech. He has since expanded the company, serving major companies such as AVX, Kemet, TDK, Siemens, Bosch, Vishay and American Technical Ceramics, with an eye toward the multi-layer component industry.
Until now Haiku Tech’s core business has been in multi-layer ceramics, solar and fuel cells. The company successfully entered the growing area of multi-layered piezo-actuator and SOFC fuel cell manufacture with laboratory and full-scale factory lines. As the only supplier for the full front-end line, the company is positioned to supply turnkey machinery with materials technology support. Printed electronics is a perfect fit for the company.
“We have multi-layer components expertise,” said Martin De Moya, sales and service manager, Haiku Tech, Inc. “We offer roll-to-roll equipment for high volume production, as well as smaller systems for individual sheets and medium volume. Part of our line includes coating equipment for deposition of material on films as well as screen printing, which are used for many printed electronics applications.”
Haiku Tech also offers a wide range of products, including dielectric powders, binders and pastes, front-end multi-layer equipment, chip termination products, electroplating lines, furnaces and visual inspection equipment. They also provide expert consulting and prototyping services.
Having gained excellent experience in manufacturing equipment to produce Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors, Multilayer Ceramic Varistors, Low Temperature Co-Fired Components (LTCC) and similar parts, De Moya said Haiku Tech is poised to make inroads in the printed electronics field.
“We are enjoying great success supplying materials and equipment for the multi-layer component industry,” De Moya said. ”Considering that the main requirements for manufacturing printed electronics are accuracy and cost, we looked into expanding into printed electronics, as we have the know-how to meet specific requirements for areas such as batteries, solar cells and OLEDs.
Haiku Tech’s ability to customize equipment to meet their customers’ most stringent requirements is a critical advantage in a field with tight tolerances to achieve high yields in production.
“We customize our equipment and can combine great quality with the ability to provide the tightest accuracy,” De Moya said. “For organic photovoltaics, for example, manufacturers need to print fine lines with a high aspect ratio on the substrate. Our machines are ready to go, with just a slight amount of customization for deposition.”
Haiku Tech has built a worldwide organization, with its headquarters in Miami, FL and offices in Brazil, Taiwan, India, Israel and The Netherlands. It has a loyal customer base, which bodes well for its entrance into the printed electronics field.
“We have customers who have been with us since our beginning, and we have many repeat customers,” De Moya said.
All in all, Haiku Tech is optimistic about the printed electronics market.
“We are just entering the printed electronics market, and it looks like a huge opportunity,” De Moya concluded.
Since Haiku Tech was founded in 1996, the company has successfully carved out its niche in serving the multi-layer electronics components industry.
The idea for Haiku Tech came about when Roderik Höppener needed customized machines to produce multi-layer materials for a project he was working on for a chemical company in The Netherlands. He began working with KEKO Equipment, a leader in the manufacture of machines for the production of multi-layer passive ceramic components, located in Zuzemberk, Slovenia.
Realizing the potential for the market, Höppener started marketing and sales of KEKO Equipment worldwide, forming Haiku Tech. He has since expanded the company, serving major companies such as AVX, Kemet, TDK, Siemens, Bosch, Vishay and American Technical Ceramics, with an eye toward the multi-layer component industry.
Until now Haiku Tech’s core business has been in multi-layer ceramics, solar and fuel cells. The company successfully entered the growing area of multi-layered piezo-actuator and SOFC fuel cell manufacture with laboratory and full-scale factory lines. As the only supplier for the full front-end line, the company is positioned to supply turnkey machinery with materials technology support. Printed electronics is a perfect fit for the company.
Haiku Tech also offers a wide range of products, including dielectric powders, binders and pastes, front-end multi-layer equipment, chip termination products, electroplating lines, furnaces and visual inspection equipment. They also provide expert consulting and prototyping services.
“We are enjoying great success supplying materials and equipment for the multi-layer component industry,” De Moya said. ”Considering that the main requirements for manufacturing printed electronics are accuracy and cost, we looked into expanding into printed electronics, as we have the know-how to meet specific requirements for areas such as batteries, solar cells and OLEDs.
Haiku Tech’s ability to customize equipment to meet their customers’ most stringent requirements is a critical advantage in a field with tight tolerances to achieve high yields in production.
“We customize our equipment and can combine great quality with the ability to provide the tightest accuracy,” De Moya said. “For organic photovoltaics, for example, manufacturers need to print fine lines with a high aspect ratio on the substrate. Our machines are ready to go, with just a slight amount of customization for deposition.”
“We have customers who have been with us since our beginning, and we have many repeat customers,” De Moya said.
All in all, Haiku Tech is optimistic about the printed electronics market.
“We are just entering the printed electronics market, and it looks like a huge opportunity,” De Moya concluded.