Fused deposition modeling (FDM) and electroluminescence (EL)

EL is widely used in aircraft, watches, keyboard, background and safety lighting - mainly because EL-techniques generated glare- and shadow-free homogeneous light surfaces with smallest mounting depth and low power consumption. Those light surfaces can be procuced in various dimensions and contours in the form of foils. Further advantages of EL foils are its breaking resistance, its insensitivity to temperature and the fact that that lighting foils do not heat up. Currently, in combination with the in-mould-technology 3-dimensional disposition of EL foil is possible. Fraunhofer IPA is working on the integration of functional elements like EL-foils in plastic products with the help of additive manufacturing technologies.