Printed Low Voltage Munition Ignition Bridge

Initiators are used in Electro-explosive devices (EEDs) and must ensure the energetic device is not activated by accident and it must activate with guaranteed success when triggered. There are a number of initiator designs but the printed ignition bridge that has been demonstrated by the Army has potential to meet the safety and security criteria but also do this at a reduced cost. This proposed effort demonstrates a path utilizing microdispensing to strategically print silver paste using digital control. This is a Direct Printing approach and has the ability to reach the necessary small geometries required but also this approach can do this in a cost effective manner. The main issue will be the speed at which this can be done. A path that demonstrates how to utilize an existing printing platform but modified to adapt to this project will be shown.