Fibercuit: Prototyping High-Resolution Flexible and Kirigami Circuits with a Fiber Laser Engraver

Abstract

Prototyping compact devices with unique form factors often requires the PCB\nmanufacturing process to be outsourced, which can be expensive and\ntime-consuming. In this paper, we present Fibercuit, a set of rapid prototyping\ntechniques to fabricate high-resolution, flexible circuits on-demand using a\nfiber laser engraver. We showcase techniques that can laser cut copper-based\ncomposites to form fine-pitch conductive traces, laser fold copper substrates\nthat can form kirigami structures, and laser solder surface-mount electrical\ncomponents using off-the-shelf soldering pastes. Combined with our software\npipeline, an end user can design and fabricate flexible circuits which are\ndual-layer and three-dimensional, thereby exhibiting a wide range of form\nfactors. We demonstrate Fibercuit by showcasing a set of examples, including a\ncustom dice, flex cables, custom end-stop switches, electromagnetic coils, LED\nearrings and a circuit in the form of kirigami crane.\n