Flexible Solutions

Expert Tips for Picking the Best PSA for Enclosures

Posted by Ben Hvidston

June 26, 2025 11:29 AM

While you might think pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are pretty straightforward, selecting the wrong for your enclosure application can create problems and compromise sealing performance long before final assembly takes place. 

Learn the key features of each adhesive type in latest blog on the Rogers website, How to Choose the Right PSA for Your Enclosure Components, and the video below to get an idea of which adhesives perform well in different situations. Once you have an understanding, you can start designing more reliable sealing components for your enclosure applications.

 

Disclaimer: The Enclosure Institute™ is a free educational resource created by Marian, Inc. and Rogers Corporation to help engineers navigate enclosure sealing with expert guidance.

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Topics: Foams, BISCO Silicone, PORON, Material selection, die cutting, gasket, PSA, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation

How to Prevent Gasket Failure - Part 2

Posted by Ben Hvidston

June 19, 2025 10:37 AM

In Part 2 of our gasket failure series, we shift from the discussion on material science & environmental factors to mechanical design & real-world installation. Even a high-performance gasket can fail due to poor geometry, fastener placement, uneven compression, lack of venting, or improper gasket placement altogether. 

Find the latest blog on the Rogers website, 6 Reasons Why Gaskets Fail: Design and Assembly, and the video below to start designing more reliable sealing components for your enclosure applications today.

 

Disclaimer: The Enclosure Institute™ is a free educational resource created by Marian, Inc. and Rogers Corporation to help engineers navigate enclosure sealing with expert guidance.

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Topics: Foams, BISCO Silicone, Compression Force Deflection, PORON, compression set resistance, Material selection, die cutting, gasket, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation, Kiss-Cut, Collapsible Gasket, Multi-Piece Gasket, Puzzle Gasket

How to Prevent Gasket Failure - Part 1

Posted by Ben Hvidston

June 12, 2025 9:54 AM

 

Even the best-sealed enclosure can fail if the gasket material isn’t up to the challenge.

They say every failure is a step toward success, but we say that failure can be completely avoided by asking the right questions and having a clear understanding of your application's use case.

Lucky for you, we've condensed the important information we've learned over the years to help you make sure your enclosure is properly design right from the start. Check out the latest blog on the Rogers website, 6 Reasons Why Gaskets Fail: Materials and Environment, and the video below to start designing more reliable sealing components for your enclosure applications today.

 

Disclaimer: The Enclosure Institute™ is a free educational resource created by Marian, Inc. and Rogers Corporation to help engineers navigate enclosure sealing with expert guidance.

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Topics: Foams, BISCO Silicone, Compression Force Deflection, PORON, compression set resistance, Material selection, gasket, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation

A Practical Guide to Gasket Material Selection

Posted by Ben Hvidston

June 5, 2025 10:38 AM

From silicone to neoprene, each gasket material comes with trade-offs and will perform best in various situations, but how do you know which is best for your application and where should you start?

Have no fear, engineers! The Enclosure Institute™ has created a comprehensive guide on the Rogers website in the newest blog: Top 8 Sealing Material Options: How to Choose the Right One for Your Enclosure

This blog that breaks down the key differences in compression set resistance, temperature range, chemical compatibility, and cost across eight popular gasket options. With this guide and the Sealing Checklist Workbook (available exclusively to Enclosure Institute™ registrants), you're one step closer to sealing excellence.

 

Disclaimer: The Enclosure Institute™ is a free educational resource created by Marian, Inc. and Rogers Corporation to help engineers navigate enclosure sealing with expert guidance.

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Topics: Foams, BISCO Silicone, PORON, compression set resistance, Silicone, Material selection, gasket, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation

8 Critical Factors That Influence Seal and Gasket Functionality

Posted by Ben Hvidston

May 8, 2025 9:49 AM

“If it doesn’t seal, it’s not really an enclosure.” This engineer-focused resource from the Enclosure Institute™, a collaboration between Rogers Corporation and Marian, Inc., highlights eight practical factors for designing effective, long-lasting gaskets and seals. You can read the full article on the Rogers website.

 

Disclaimer: The Enclosure Institute™ is a free educational resource created by Marian, Inc. and Rogers Corporation to help engineers navigate enclosure sealing with expert guidance.

 

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Topics: Foams, IP Rating, BISCO Silicone, Compression Force Deflection, PORON, ingress protection, gasket, Electronics, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation

NEMA, UL, CSA, & IEC Ratings Explained for Enclosures

Posted by Ben Hvidston

May 1, 2025 10:09 AM

NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association), UL (Underwriters Laboratories), CSA (Canadian Standards Association), & IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission)—if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by enclosure standards, our third blog from the Enclosure Institute™ is your go-to resource. 

With so many standards guiding performance, safety, and environmental protection, it can be difficult to know which ones truly matter for your application.  Whether you're designing for industrial environments, outdoor use, or specialized equipment, understanding these standards is critical—and easier than you think.

Disclaimer: The Enclosure Institute™ is a free educational resource created by Marian, Inc. and Rogers Corporation to help engineers navigate enclosure sealing with expert guidance.

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Topics: Foams, IP Rating, BISCO Silicone, PORON, ingress protection, gasket, Electronics, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation

Enclosure Design Basics: Applications, Sealing, & Protection

Posted by Ben Hvidston

April 24, 2025 9:00 AM

What exactly are enclosures—and why does sealing matter so much? In this foundational blog from the Enclosure Institute™, we break down the role of enclosures across a range of industries, from EV charging to medical devices. 

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Topics: Foams, EMI Shielding, IP Rating, LED Lighting, BISCO Silicone, PORON, medical device, ingress protection, gasket, Electronics, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation, Data Center

Discover the Enclosure Institute™: Free Training for Better Sealing

Posted by Ben Hvidston

April 17, 2025 9:55 AM

Sealing challenges can make or break the performance of an enclosure. That’s why Marian and Rogers Corporation have teamed up to launch the Enclosure Institute™ —a free educational series designed to help engineers tackle real-world sealing challenges with confidence. 

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Topics: Foams, BISCO Silicone, PORON, Enclosure Institute, seals, enclosures, Rogers Corporation

Die-Cut Components in Digital Displays

Posted by Brook Girkin

September 23, 2024 12:00 PM

Digital displays are an integral part of modern vehicle dashboards, household appliances, consumer electronics, and more. In applications like thermostats, cell phones, smart watches, and vehicles, displays allow a simplified, interactive experience for users. To make these digital display assemblies, manufacturers require a variety of die-cut components that, when combined, come together to make an impressive display that provides extreme clarity and a user-friendly experience, which we highlight below.

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Topics: Thermal Management, Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, EMI Shielding, LED Lighting, die cutting, 3M, 3m tape, thermal pad, thermal interface material, gasket, assembly, Thermal Gap Filler Pads, Polymer Science, converting, Films, Electronics, Thermal Gap Pad, tesa, displays

NEW 3M™ Electrically Conductive Tapes for EMI/RFI Solutions

Posted by Ben Hvidston

April 4, 2024 11:03 AM

EMI and RFI materials play an important role in preventing interference to devices with electronic components, and as technology continues advancing, the materials used in these applications must also support these advancements.

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Topics: EMI Shielding, Material selection, 3M, Foil Tape, Electronics, Electrically Conductive Tapes

Custom Converted Solutions for Electronics Applications

Posted by Brook Girkin

March 4, 2024 1:00 PM

In the fast-paced world, electronics are now integrated into almost every aspect of human life. Solutions ensuring optimal performance and longevity are necessary to meet consumers’ expectations. Many converted electronic components are made using materials that address various challenges faced by electronics applications, including thermal management, electromagnetic interference (EMI), surface protection, and more.

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Topics: Thermal Management, Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Foams, EMI Shielding, Surface Protection, Vent Material, die cutting, thermal pad, thermal interface material, gasket, Films, Electronics

Bio-Based Tapes and Foams: Greener Component Manufacturing

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

January 3, 2024 11:39 AM

As interest from consumers to purchase products that are sustainably sourced and manufactured grows, companies around the globe are modifying their practices to include measures and policies to reduce their carbon footprint.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Foams, Material selection, PSA, Sustainable Materials

Clean Room Manufacturing: Converting for Medical Applications

Posted by Brook Girkin

December 4, 2023 12:00 PM

 

What are Clean Rooms?

Clean rooms are controlled environments designed to maintain low levels of airborne particles and contaminants. They are used in a wide range of industries where cleanliness is paramount, including medical, electronics, biotechnology, display, aerospace, and more.

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Topics: manufacturing techniques, medical device, die cutting, wound care device, assembly, medical, clean room, converting

Why P-THERM® Gap Fillers Are Essential for EV Battery Design

Posted by Ben Hvidston

November 1, 2023 8:45 AM

The rapid advancement of the electric vehicle (EV) market is no secret, and to keep pace with this progress, OEMs seek cutting-edge thermal management solutions that perform well and come at a reasonable cost.

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Topics: Thermal Management, EV, battery, Material selection, thermal interface material, Electric Vehicle, Thermal Gap Filler Pads, Automotive, Polymer Science, Thermal Gap Pad

Complex Die-Cut EV Battery Components

Posted by Brook Girkin

July 31, 2023 4:01 PM

Combining Intricate Laminations to Create Multifunctional Parts

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to experience a sharp growth trajectory, generating process advancements and additional application requirements and needs. Marian has developed improved solutions to meet the industry’s most critical necessities for battery longevity, performance, and passenger safety.

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Topics: Thermal Management, Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, EV, battery, die cutting, thermal pad, Formex, assembly

5 Factors to Help Us Determine Your Die Cutting Process

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

June 2, 2023 8:43 AM

At Marian, we've developed and mastered numerous die cutting methods for manufacturing custom gaskets, seals, filters, vents, shields, thermal pads, etc. for our customers.

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Topics: manufacturing techniques, die cutting, Laser cutting, Rotary

What You Should Know About Rotary Die Cutting

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

December 13, 2022 8:30 AM

The Basics of the Rotary Die Cutting Process

Rotary die cutting is a common process used to manufacture simple two-dimensional labels, but rotary die cutting is used for more than just labels. Marian uses rotary die cutting to manufacture complex custom 3D components with multiple layers of differing geometries used in some of your favorite everyday products.

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Topics: die cutting, Rotary

5 Things to Know About Wound Care Device Manufacturing

Posted by Katie Sullivan

November 2, 2022 11:26 AM

Many wound care device companies start with an innovative idea. Turning that idea into a mass-produced product can be extremely challenging. This concept is familiar to KitoTech Medical,a Seattle-based medical device company that develops wound care products. Kitotech was founded by Ronald Berenson, MD. Dr. Berenson is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years in biotech and medical device industry. Marian is proud to call KitoTech Medical a valued customer.

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Topics: medical device, Medical PSA, Skin-Contact PSA, wound care device, FDA Registered

Protect Against EMI with Die-Cut Foil Tapes

Posted by Katie Sullivan

June 8, 2022 8:26 AM

There are many EMI shielding materials to choose from when determining how to effectively control EMI within an electronic device. In this post, we focus on die-cut foil tapes for EMI shielding. Foil tapes with conductive adhesive provide effective shielding properties as the thin foil layer ensures good electrical contact with the component surface. Let's take a look deeper at EMI and why foil tapes may be the best-suited material for your application. 

What is EMI and Why is it Important?

Electromagnetic interference is unwanted “noise” or interference in an electrical path or circuit caused by an outside source. EMI can be caused by natural or man-made sources and can cause electronics to malfunction or to completely stop working. Therefore, EMI shielding and grounding components are important pieces in the design of electronic devices. 

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Topics: EMI Shielding, Foil Tape

Medical Device Packaging for Converted Products

Posted by Katie Sullivan

March 29, 2022 1:01 PM

When designing a medical device, the device is the focus. It must be safe and effective. It also must be packaged!

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Topics: medical device

Using Our Roll Calculators to Estimate Roll Length and Diameter

Posted by Katie Sullivan

February 3, 2022 8:00 AM

Marian is a converter of thin, flexible materials. Most often, these materials are supplied to us in a large roll format, sometimes called “master rolls” or “log rolls”. The materials are typically on a hard-fiber or plastic core.

 As you can see on our Materials webpage, Marian converts a wide range of material types in a myriad of different thicknesses. These include pressure-sensitive adhesives and tapes, sponge and foam, rubber, plastic films of all sorts, filter fabrics, foils, and more.

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What are Double Coated Foam Tapes?

Posted by Katie Sullivan

October 27, 2021 8:53 AM

 

Double coated foam tapes are a type of adhesive tape that is made of tacky adhesive coated on both sides of a foam core or carrier. DC foam tapes fill gaps and distribute stress uniformly over the bonded area. Depending on the specific tape, the result is a bond line that seals, cushions, and damps vibration, resists impact, withstands a wide temperature range, and provides good insulating qualities. Double-coated foam tapes are strong and durable.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Acrylic Foam Tape, Material selection, die cutting, 3m tape, PSA

Common Materials for EMI Shielding Gaskets and Ground Paths

Posted by Katie Sullivan

July 8, 2021 9:43 AM

The need for EMI gaskets is growing as more high-frequency digital electronics are introduced into our everyday lives. This includes technologies like 5G infrastructure, IOT (internet of things), and rapid advances in automobile technology and connectivity.

Read More

Topics: EMI Shielding, gasket, grounding

4 High Performance Thermal Barrier Materials for EV Battery

Posted by Katie Sullivan

April 26, 2021 11:16 AM

Thermal Runaway Propagation Prevention with Thermal Barrier Materials
Hybrid and battery electric vehicles that use lithium-ion cells require that these cells are maintained at specific ambient temperatures. "Thermal runaway" occurs as a result of the rapid rise in temperature within one of the battery cells. One of the greatest challenges for battery design engineers is to manage heat. For this reason, batteries are designed with thermal management systems, like thermal gap pads and thermally conductive tapes, that provide different levels of protection, including cell-to-cell, module-to-module, and pack level.

Marian provides custom flexible die cut solutions that are incorporated into battery design at the cell, module and pack level to aid with thermal management. These die-cut parts are made with high temperature resistant materials (also known as flame barrier materials) that are designed to offer thermal insulation to delay the onset of thermal runaway.

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Topics: Thermal Management, EV, HEV, battery, flame barrier

Best Practices when Applying PSA and Storing Tape

Posted by Katie Sullivan

March 16, 2021 9:00 AM

The majority of the die-cut parts manufactured by Marian include a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape (PSA). PSA tape is thin flexible material coated with a thin layer of adhesive, making one or both sides sticky. By producing billions of adhesive-backed parts each year, it’s safe to say Marian has a lot of experience with this sticky stuff!

PSA tapes can come in various constructions, which offer different functionalities based on your application. There are double-coated tapes, single-coated tapes, and adhesive transfer tapes. Check out our blog post, Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape Constructions, to learn more about different tape constructions.

The first step is choosing the best PSA type and construction for your application (by the way, we can help with this! Download our ebook: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself when Selecting a PSA). An equally important step when utilizing a PSA in the assembly of your product, is the proper storage and proper application of the PSA. Missteps when storing and applying your PSA can lead to product failure.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Acrylic Foam Tape, 3m tape

3M™ Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive Tape for Wearable Devices

Posted by Katie Sullivan

February 18, 2021 8:20 AM

Editor's note: As of 2024, 3M Healthcare is now a standalone company, Solventum. You can find more about the spin-off and how Marian is a Solventum Premier Converter here.


One of our top material suppliers, 3M, recently announced the release of their next generation of medical silicone adhesives, 3M Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive Tapes. 3M 2480 is the first product to launch in this new portfolio. It is a single coated medical nonwoven tape with hi-tack silicone adhesive on a liner. The benefits of this exciting new material include:

  • Longer wear-times (up to 4 days)
  • Supports heavier devices
  • Offers more secure adhesion
  • Repositionable

Read the full press release from 3M here.

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Topics: medical device, Medical PSA, Skin-Contact PSA, Silicone, 3M, 3m tape

Wearable Device Design: Selecting a Stick-to-Skin Adhesive

Posted by Katie Sullivan

December 15, 2020 8:30 AM

Editor's note: As of 2024, 3M Healthcare is now a standalone company, Solventum. You can find more about the spin-off and how Marian is a Solventum Premier Converter here.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Medical PSA, Skin-Contact PSA, Material selection, 3M, 3m tape

Kapton® Polyimide Film's Extraordinary Properties

Posted by Katie Sullivan

October 26, 2020 11:00 AM

In the 1960s, Dupont™ developed the versatile and high-performing Kapton® Polyimide Film. Since its introduction, designers have relied on Kapton® film because of its ability to maintain its electrical, thermal, chemical and mechanical properties at extreme temperatures. Kapton® polyimide films have been used in many advanced markets including, electronic devices, electric vehicle battery, aerospace systems, power transformers, and more.

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Topics: Insulators

Pull-Tabs, Extended Liners, and Split Liners for Ease of Assembly

Posted by Katie Sullivan

September 9, 2020 9:34 AM

Pull-tabs, extended liners and split liners are assembly aids. They make the process of removing the liner from a die-cut adhesive part much easier. When you work with Marian, we keep your manufacturing and assembly process in mind as we develop the solution. Our goal is to make things easier for you, saving you labor and time spent during assembly, placement, or manufacturing. Once we understand how our part will be assembled into your product, we can often offer a variety of solutions. These solutions can include (but are not limited to):

  • Part orientation / spacing on the liner
  • Final packaging:
    • Kiss-cut to a liner and wound onto a roll
    • Singulated parts
    • Kiss-cut to sheets
    • Perforated liner
  • Modifications to the carrier liner for fixturing
  • Pull-tabs, extended liners, split liners

In this blog post, we are going to focus on pull-tabs, extended liners, and split liners.

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Corona Surface Treatment of Silicone Elastomers and Plastic Films

Posted by Katie Sullivan

August 12, 2020 8:30 AM

Silicone rubber materials and some plastic films have chemically inert and non-porous surfaces, which equates to low surface energy. This means they have a weak molecular bonding force making it difficult to create a bond with many pressure sensitive adhesives.

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Topics: Surface Energy, Foams, BISCO Silicone, Silicone

The Best Thermal Gap Pad for Your Design

Posted by Katie Sullivan

July 29, 2020 9:30 AM

Thermal gap pads are one common type of thermal management materials and are utilized in electronic devices within the interface, or gap, between a heat generating component and a heat sink. The heat sink or cooling plate is designed to conduct heat away from the heat generating component to keep it cool and running safely.

According to Parker Chomerics Thermal Management Engineering Handbook, the typical contact area between most semiconductors and heat sinks can be made up of 90% air voids! We also know that air is about 200 times less conductive than a 5 W/mK thermal interface pad. This is where the thermal gap pad comes in.

Thermal gap pads are made of soft polymer that flows into the air gaps in the interface to aid in the more efficient and effective conduction of heat.

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Topics: Thermal Management, thermal pad, thermal interface material

Die-Cut Solutions for Rapid Diagnostic Testing

Posted by Katie Sullivan

June 22, 2020 8:45 AM

Point-of-care and rapid diagnostic testing are increasingly important in the areas of disease detection, treatment monitoring, and preventative care. This market gained significant attention during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become popular in helping patients diagnose other conditions from the comfort of their own home including variations of influenza and more.

It's imperative that components of these devices and test kits are reliable and of the highest quality, so material selection, precise manufacturing, and proper packaging are all extremely important.

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Topics: Foams, medical device, Medical PSA, 3m tape

Material Spotlight: BISCO HT-800 Medium Silicone Foam

Posted by Katie Sullivan

May 27, 2020 12:02 PM

Per the Rogers Corporation Website, Rogers “BISCO® HT-800 Medium Cellular Silicone offers the lightness of foam with the enhanced sealing capabilities of sponge rubber.” In this post, we'll dive a little deeper into this excellent material.

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Topics: Foams, LED Lighting, BISCO Silicone, Silicone

Silicone Rubber, a Low Surface Energy Material

Posted by Katie Sullivan

March 31, 2020 10:00 AM

Silicone Rubber, a "Low Surface Energy" Elastomer - What Does This Mean?

Silicone is a high-performance elastomer with the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, both high and low. It also naturally repels, which makes it an excellent choice for a water seal or a moisture barrier. However, this also makes silicone tricky to bond to other surfaces.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Surface Energy, Foams, BISCO Silicone, Silicone

3M Die-Cut Tapes

Posted by Katie Sullivan

February 13, 2020 9:00 AM

 
M arian die-cuts millions of components containing 3M tapes. 3M die-cut tapes are used in countless applications across many industries. 3M offers one of the most innovative portfolios of tape products in the world including double-sided tapes, single-sided tapes, adhesive transfer tapes, 3M™ VHB™ tapes, and double-sided foam tapes. While 3M tapes can be applied utilizing rolls of material, there are many scenarios where a die-cut component can greatly improve placement efficiency and accuracy. 
 

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Topics: Acrylic Foam Tape, die cutting, Application Story, 3M, 3m tape

Sealed Devices: Venting Solutions for IP Rated Enclosures

Posted by Katie Sullivan

December 11, 2019 10:00 AM

IP Rated Enclosures: Venting Solutions

Sensors, controllers, and other electronic elements are being integrated into devices across virtually every industry. Many of these products are made for use in conditions where they may be exposed to extreme temperatures, rain, wind, dust, and moisture. (See application story about "smart" shipping pallets linked at the bottom of this post.) Designing such products requires that the container or enclosure holding the electronic components be completely sealed. Exposure to harsh elements could cause a product failure. 

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, manufacturing techniques, IP Rating, Vent Material, Automated Assembly, ingress protection, PTFE membrane

Automated Assembly for Custom Die-Cut Components

Posted by Katie Sullivan

October 18, 2019 10:00 AM

Custom Die-cut Parts for Automated Assembly

Among numerous assembly options, automated assembly is often the method of choice for many of our customers. Automated placement is used for projects with very high volumes where precise placement is critical. Automated assembly can also significantly increase assembly speed and efficiency.

Marian designs and manufactures custom components to fit seamlessly into our customers’ automated assembly process. We can modify many different aspects of the final part and packaging from liner type, part spacing and orientation, and quantity of parts per roll.  

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Topics: Foams, die cutting, AccuPlace, Automated Assembly

4 Insulating Materials for Use in EV Batteries

Posted by Katie Sullivan

August 27, 2019 9:00 AM

Improvements are being made to the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. Auto makers are developing more powerful lithium-ion batteries that have increased range and charge more rapidly. Along with these improvements, enhancing safety has becoming increasingly urgent for electric vehicle development.

As mentioned in our previous blog post, 11 Considerations when Selecting Thermal Interface Materials for Electric Vehicle Li-Ion Batteries, Li-ion batteries produce a significant amount of heat while in use and while charging. Along with the use of thermal management materials, placing protective engineered flame-retardant insulating materials between the components of the battery cell, module, and pack can offer additional thermal and electrical insulating protection. However, adding such materials can be challenging due to space and weight constraints.

In this post, we outline four materials that can enhance the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. Some shared characteristics of these four materials are listed below. 

  • ultra-thin
  • lightweight
  • electrically and thermally insulating
  • flame retardant
  • can be die-cut and laminated with PSA

Read further for additional detail about each material.

 

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Topics: Thermal Management, EV, HEV, battery, Material selection, Insulators

Rapid Prototyping Methods - Advantages and Disadvantages

Posted by Katie Sullivan

August 12, 2019 9:00 AM

Prototypes are typically produced in relatively small quantities and used by our customers to verify design, evaluate material choices, and build prototypes of their assembly.

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Topics: manufacturing techniques, die cutting, prototype, Laser cutting

How to Mask with Die-Cuts vs. Strips: Video Demonstration

Posted by Katie Sullivan

July 26, 2019 3:49 PM

Paint masking can be a tedious process. When masking an area with precision and over-masking is unacceptable, custom die-cut masks prove to be the best solution. Die-cut masks are pre-cut pieces of masking tape that are made to the exact size and shape of the surface area in need of masking. This video shows a direct comparison of the masking process with strips/knife versus masking with a die-cut part with a split liner. You'll see this demonstration proves that masking with a custom die-cut is easier, faster, more accurate, and safer. 

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Masking, Die-Cut Masking, 3M

3 Common Misconceptions About Durometer

Posted by Andrew Bonar

July 9, 2019 9:32 AM

 
The Shore durometer (pictured right) is a scale for measuring the hardness of a material, such as rubber, plastic, thermal  plastics (TPE), and rigid plastics. The term "durometer" is often used to describe a material's rating on the scale, for example “this material has a durometer of 60.”
  
It's worth noting, there are a variety of durometer scales since elastomeric and plastic resins vary over a wider range than one scale can accommodate. Download our comparison chart to see how these scales overlap.
 
Durometer hardness is one of many physical properties considered when selecting a material for a specific application. Beware of some common misconceptions. Durometer hardness is often inaccurately confused with the properties described below. 

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Topics: Foams, Compression Force Deflection, PORON, Elastomers, Material selection

PORON EVExtend® For Use In EV/HEV Li-ion Pouch Cell Batteries

Posted by Katie Sullivan

May 29, 2019 1:01 PM

Materials for Battery Solutions - PORON EVExtend®

Our valued material supplier, Rogers Corporation, has released PORON EVExtend® polyurethane foam material. This material is ideal for battery pads for EV/HEV li-ion pouch cell batteries. The EXExtend 4701-43HBF offers an increased flammability rating of HBF, or HF1 (product dependent). 

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Topics: Foams, PORON, EV, HEV, Material selection, Thermal Gap Filler Pads, Thermal Gap Pad

How Can Marian's Global Footprint Benefit You?

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

May 10, 2019 9:15 AM

From Locations Across the World, Marian Delivers a Successful Solution to HumanWare 

It's difficult to prove the true value of working with a company that has a large global footprint. This application story demonstrates how Marian's global footprint paired with quick action by our material experts resulted in an effective solution for HumanWare, who was on a tight timeline.

In just 7 days from initial contact, Marian was able to work through the design and material selection processes, rapidly manufacture prototypes, and deliver a preliminary order of die-cut parts. Keep reading to learn more.

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Topics: die cutting, Application Story, Global Footprint

11 Considerations When Selecting TIM for EV Li-ion Battery

Posted by Katie Sullivan

March 22, 2019 8:06 AM

11 Considerations When Selecting Thermal Interface Materials for Electric Vehicle Li-ion Battery

Currently, lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries are the most common type of battery used to power electric vehicles. Today's market is demanding that batteries charge faster and last longer. Because li-ion batteries produce significant heat when in use and charging, thermal management is critical. Excessive heat can cause irreparable damage to the battery. 

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Topics: Thermal Management, EV, HEV, battery, Material selection

Tolerance Challenges When Die Cutting Materials

Posted by Katie Sullivan

January 17, 2019 9:20 AM

Technological advances in properties of soft, flexible foam and elastomeric materials have continued. These thick, soft, flexible foams and elastomers like PORON foam, silicone foam, and more are ideal materials for sealing, gasketing and cushioning across many industries and applications.

They compress, form to irregular surfaces, bend, and flex within an application without damage or delamination, but from the perspective of the converter, these materials may also introduce challenges when trying to achieve the tight dimensional tolerances common in metal and plastic-molded parts.


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Topics: Foams, BISCO Silicone, PORON, Elastomers, Tolerance

Does Die-Cut Masking Make Sense for You?

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

November 15, 2018 2:50 PM

Masking can seem like a "simple" process that is often accomplished with masking tape slit to common widths and applied by hand to protect surfaces from paint, contamination, or damage. Similar to surface protection tapes, masking materials are often discarded long before the final product reaches the customer. So what benefits are seen by changing from rolls of tape to die-cuts specific for your application?

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Topics: Surface Protection, Masking, Die-Cut Masking

On-Demand Webinar: Die-Cut Surface Protection Solutions

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

August 16, 2018 9:17 AM


Marian recently hosted a 30-minute webinar with tesa® that discussed many of their surface protection films and tapes, including key features, and the benefits your company can see by implementing die-cuts into your processes and final products. Watch our webinar, and as an added bonus, request a FREE prototype and speak with one of our material experts.
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Topics: Surface Protection, Webinar

Pressure Equalization and Die-Cut Protective Vents

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

May 18, 2018 1:14 PM

Changes in altitude, humidity, temperature, and atmospheric pressure can cause the internal pressure of a sealed enclosure to increase or decrease significantly. Engineers integrate vents into the design of their enclosures to equalize the pressure and prevent problems such as condensation (and shorting of electronics), fogging, discoloration, leaks (failure of the seal), and other failures. Learn how the help of protective vents can keep these issues from arising.

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Topics: Vent Material

Die-Cut Surface Protection Materials: Worth the Investment?

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

March 5, 2018 8:00 AM


Many product manufacturers choose to protect critical product surfaces with custom cut surface protection films and tapes, but why invest in materials that may be disposed of before ever reaching the hands of the final customer? While this is sometimes the case, surface protection materials add more value to your products than you may realize.
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Topics: Surface Protection, Films

Open Cell Foam or Closed Cell Foam: Which is Better?

Posted by Lynn Zeheralis

January 31, 2018 8:46 AM

When selecting a foam for your application, have you ever wondered if open or closed-cell foams are more effective? At Marian, we recommend materials based on a product’s application. This is certainly true when it comes to foam materials for use as gaskets. This means in order to recommend the best material, our first step is to understand the conditions, forces, stress and other requirements the gasket will experience in your application.

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Topics: Foams

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