Frequently Asked Questions
Advanced
Printed
Technology
Flexible Heaters
What is a flexible heater?
A flexible heater uses conductive inks to turn electrical currents into heat.
What is the hottest temperature that a flexible heater can reach?
It depends on the type of heater. PTC heaters can reach 60-65°C. Fixed Resistance heaters can operate up to 80°C. Kapton® RS heaters operate at the most elevated temperatures reaching a peak of 240°C. Transparent clear conductive heaters can reach temperatures up to 120°C.
How long do printed heaters take to reach their highest operating temperature?
You can feel the heat within five seconds of turning the heater on, and it will reach operating temperatures within 45 seconds.
Are flexible heaters washable?
Flexible heaters can be hand washed for high-use, performance wear applications, or machine washed for low-use, outdoor gear applications. Snaps can be added so the heater is easily removed from the garment, then the heater does not need to be washed.
How do flexible printed heaters guarantee no risk of overheating?
The PTC heater is designed to shut off at a predetermined temperature. This is considered a “self-limiting” heater without the need for external diagnostics or controls.
For other types of heaters, our engineering team will keep your shut-off or safety parameters top of mind when designing the heater.
Are printed heaters safe to make direct contact with skin?
Depending on the temperature, flexible heaters can safely come in direct contact with skin. If you’d like the heater to touch the skin, the temperature range should remain between 20-36°C. Anything hotter than 43°C should include a layer of insulation between the heater and the skin.
Kapton® RS heaters should never be used for clothing applications or where they may contact skin, as they operate at extremely high temperatures.
How are the flexible printed heaters powered?
This depends on your unique preference and application. Most of our heaters are battery-operated, making them portable. More industrial applications can have permanent external control for the heater.
What are the power requirements needed for printed heaters?
The standard amount of power required for heaters to work correctly is a 12-24 volt battery pack. However, the voltage can be lower depending on the application. There is always a tradeoff between runtime, operating temperature, and battery size/weight.
What applications are flexible heaters typically used for?
Printed flexible heaters are used in any industry where there may be a need for portable heat. Some most common applications are heated clothing, wearable heated medical braces, heated accessories, and more.
Are there any dimension requirements for designing flexible heaters?
Engineers have a wide range to make custom designs and dimensions for heaters. Typically, flexible heaters can be designed between 4 inches by 4 inches and no larger than 18 inches by 18 inches. Engineers design heaters in various configurations, such as gloves, boots, discs, and more, but heaters can be as simple as a square or rectangle.
Biometric Sensors
What is a biometric sensor?
Biometric sensors use the body's natural electrical impulses to gain information. Wearables commonly use biometric sensors to measure heart rates, muscle, and brain activity. Biometric sensors are most widely used in medical and performance sportswear applications.
What is the difference between a biometric sensor and a biosensor?
Biosensors or biological sensors read information from bodily fluids, like sweat, saliva, or blood. Biosensors require a reaction between the bodily fluid and enzymes or acid. Once a reaction is made between the enzymes and the fluid then analyzed information is sent to a computer or smart device. The most common example of a biosensor is blood glucose monitoring strips.
Can biometric sensors be integrated with IoT technology?
Biometric sensors can be IoT integrated so that the information is relayed to a device via Bluetooth. Butler Technologies does not manufacture the Bluetooth module and any other hardware components. We can refer you to our trusted partners for projects that require a hardware module.
Biometric sensors don’t measure information from fluids but instead from the body’s natural electrical impulses, such as heart rate, muscle activity, brain activity, and more.
Do printed biometric sensors require hydrogels?
Hydrogel is not needed with biometric sensors. Biometric sensors are considered dry electrodes since they do not require gels. In specific applications, hydrogel can be used in conjunction with printed biometric sensors.
Does Butler Technologies manufacture the wearable garment that the biometric sensors will attach to?
Butler Technologies manufactures printed biometric sensors. We can refer you to our trusted partners to help source the garment portion of your product design.
Does Butler Technologies develop software to integrate with biometric sensors?
Butler Technologies manufactures printed biometric sensors. We can refer you to our trusted partners to assist with software applications.
Can biometric sensors be integrated with IoT technology?
Biometric sensors can be IoT integrated so that the information is relayed to a device via Bluetooth. Butler Technologies does not manufacture the Bluetooth module and any other hardware components. We can refer you to our trusted partners for projects that require a hardware module.
How are biometric sensors transferred to clothing fabric or garments?
Biometric sensors are heat transferred or sewed to garments and then integrated into the hardware/software devices using printed connector tails.
Are biometric sensors washable?
Biometric sensors can be handwashed for high-use, performance wear applications, or machine washed for low-use, outdoor gear applications.
Are biometric sensors wireless?
Our custom biometric sensors are wireless. However, there are different kinds of tail connectors to use to connect to the module. Many biometric sensors use solder tabs as connectors.
Force Sensing Resistors
How do force sensing resistors work?
Force sensing resistors (FSRs) measure the force applied to a specific area. As pressure is applied, the resistance lowers and returns to its original value as the pressure is removed.
What is the difference between ShuntMode and ThruMode force sensing resistors?
ShuntMode sensors can detect a broader range of forces with a more linear output. ThruMode sensors are more receptive to lighter forces.
What applications are force sensing resistors typically used for?
They can be used for any application where force needs to be measured. Typical applications include inventory control, podiatry, up/down and force/speed controls, musical instrument controls, infusion pumps, seat/bed occupancy detection.
Did you know? FSRs are one of the most secure and intelligent ways pharmacies and other health professional buildings control medication inventory. The FSR detects once the medication moves from the shelf and a notification can alert the manager.
How are force sensing resistors designed?
Butler Technologies can design your FSR with a Matrix Array, Single-Zone, Discrete Array, or Linear Potentiometer. Our team of experienced engineers can help decide which design would work best for your application.
What is the typical lifecycle of a force sensing resistor?
Force sensing resistors can typically withstand 1,000,000+ actuations in their lifecycle.
What is the typical size of a force sensing resistor?
The size and shape are limited only by fabrication equipment and raw material sizes.
Who invented the force sensing resistor?
Franklin Eventoff invented the force sensor to create a children's musical toy.
