Flexible Solutions

The Best Thermal Gap Pad for Your Design

Posted by Katie Sullivan

July 29, 2020 9:30 AM

Thermal gap pads 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 is particularly important as the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative that components of these devices and test kits are reliable and of the highest quality.

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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 are going to 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

Where there is a Need for Automated Assembly…Marian Can Help!

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. Car makers are developing more powerful lithium-ion batteries that have increased range and charge more rapidly. Along with these improvements, enhancing safety is 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, 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