Micro filter manufacturing gets a significant innovative approach with Additive Screen Printing. Precisely printed filters have advantages compared to those traditionally manufactured from stamped woven mesh. Learn more about it in this blog and find benefits for your manufacturing process.
Micro filters made of woven metal mesh or other materials play a crucial role for various applications. They filter fluids like chemicals, oil and water or protect systems from contamination. Consequently, reliable performance is important for these applications.
Additive screen printing enables the production of filters with the tiniest holes. Even some, that were not possible to manufacture before. Exentis produced micro filters made of stainless steel 316 L for an application used in automotive. This case provides specific insights into the advantages of the technology.
The vital role of Microfilters used in Emission Control Systems
Stainless steel micro filters play a crucial role in diesel engines. They maintain the effectiveness of exhaust after treatment systems. These specialized emission control filters remove impurities and particles from the emission control fluid, a high-purity urea solution used to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) in diesel exhaust.
As a result, the filters protect sensitive exhaust system components by ensuring the cleanliness of the emission control fluid. The efficiency of the Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) relies on the filter performance. SCR converts harmful NOx emissions into harmless nitrogen and steam.
Key features of these micro filters include:
- High filtration efficiency to capture small/tiny particles
- Chemical resistance to withstand urea solution exposure
- Easy installation within the fluid supply system
They protect SCR components, extend their lifespan, and maintain effective emission reduction. This helps diesel engines to meet stringent environmental regulations. NOx emissions are reduced by up to 90%.

The component with a diameter of 3.5 mm is the microfilter used in emission control systems. The other one is a sample part to show a larger application.
Benefits of Additive Screen Printing Technology for Microfilter Production
Conventionally manufactured micro filters are often stamped from a stainless steel mesh. This mesh can fray at the edges over time, reducing the effectiveness of the filter.
Exentis additive manufacturing technology is based on high-precision screen printing and extended into the third dimension. The production process is fully automated. A squeegee applies material paste through a screen, building up parts layer by layer. Thanks to the screens, components with the finest details can be produced. It allows wall thickness of 75 microns and surface finishes of Ra=2 microns.
Therefore, the Exentis technology produces filters as fine as a mesh. The advantage is greater strength because there is no mesh that might fray over time. This results in longer part-life and better filter quality.
Furthermore, there is a wide range of material that additive screen printing can process. If stainless steel is not the material required for your component, there are various other options. Indeed, our material experts can turn almost any powder into a printable paste: steel, copper alloys, aluminum alloys, metallic composites, ceramics such as aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide and many more.
Pictures below:
- Traditionally manufactured filters are made of a stamped woven mesh. Manufactured by additive screen printing, a structure with holes or hexagons would be printed.
- Visualisation of a printed filter: Printed filters do not have loose ends, they could be produced with a solid rim and therefore are longer-lasting.
- Printed micro filters on a workpiece carrier
Find out more about the process of Additive Screen Printing. Watch the video or read more here:
Technical Specifications additive screen printed Micro Filters
- Material: Stainless steel, 316 L
- Density: 98.5 %
- Part size: 3.5 x 3.5 x 0.55 mm
- Required screens: 1
- Parts per screen: 1’900
- Production capacity per 8-hour shift: 83’600 parts
Another Benefit: Additive Screen Printing is Cost-Effective
At first, it might seem too expensive to use additive manufacturing to replace a filter made of stamped wire mesh. However, additive screen printing is different. The technology allows true mass manufacturing: more than 80’000 micro filters per 8-hour shift.
Furthermore, after printing, the filters are finished green parts. There is no powder residue to remove after production, as is the case with other additive manufacturing technologies. Additive screen printing uses paste for printing, making it ideal for micro-precise filters.

Additive Screen Printing is cost-effective and a fully automated Mass Manufacturing Process
Do you need similar Micro Precise Parts?
In conclusion, if you need similar micro precise applications, Exentis additive screen printing could be of advantage to you. Depending on the application, the following points might be important as well:
- A wide range of material: almost any material available in powder form can be processed into a printable paste, furthermore multi-material applications are possible as well.
- The material paste can be adjusted to the requirements of the part, e.g., porous materials are available.
- True mass production: manufacturing of millions of parts per year on just one production system.
Sounds interesting? Get in touch. We would like to tell you more about our technology.