Flexible Solutions

Custom Converted Solutions for Electronic Applications

Posted by Brook Girkin

Mar 4, 2024 1:00:00 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.

Take a look below to see some of the custom solutions that enhance performance and function in applications with electronic components.

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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

Jan 3, 2024 11:39:45 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.

As a result, bio-based tapes and foams are emerging as more sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based products in industrial manufacturing. As these new subsets of materials draw more attention, some of our key supplier partners like Shihua®, tesa®, and Saint-Gobain have expanded their product lines to include bio-based materials.

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

Complex EV Battery Components: Combining Intricate Laminations to Create Multifunctional Parts

Posted by Brook Girkin

Jul 31, 2023 4:01:59 PM

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 and passenger safety. Below we examine some of these requirements and the complex, die-cut EV components Marian manufactures to overcome common challenges related to the battery.

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

What are Double Coated Foam Tapes?

Posted by Katie Sullivan

Oct 27, 2021 8:53:20 AM

Double Coated Foam Tapes

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

Best Practices when Applying and Storing PSA Tape

Posted by Katie Sullivan

Mar 16, 2021 9:00:00 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

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

Posted by Katie Sullivan

Dec 15, 2020 8:30:00 AM

When designing a wearable device that will be attached to the human body, selecting the most appropriate stick-to-skin adhesive is a very important part of the design process, and Marian can help. If you take two things away from this article, they should be the following:

1. Think about material selection early in the wearable device design process.

2. Involve your material converter early in the wearable device design process.

Material converters, like Marian, can be an invaluable resource as you begin to make decisions about your design, including choosing the stick-to-skin adhesive materials.

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

Silicone Rubber, a Low Surface Energy Material

Posted by Katie Sullivan

Mar 31, 2020 10:00:00 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

Sealed Devices: Venting Solutions For IP Rated Enclosures

Posted by Katie Sullivan

Dec 11, 2019 10:00:00 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

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

Posted by Katie Sullivan

Jul 26, 2019 3:49:22 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

Marian’s EMI Shielding Solutions Aid in Containment and Control

Posted by Andrew Bonar

Jun 19, 2017 8:15:53 AM

The struggle between the world and electromagnetic interference (EMI) is endless. EMI consistently attempts to sabotage our most critical technologies in the aerospace, mass transit, medical, and military industries.

EMI engages us through maneuvers such as: radio transmitters, electric motors, power lines, fluorescent lights and computer circuits. Through these maneuvers, EMI generates electromagnetic disturbances, signals and emissions that cause undesired responses or degradation of performance in electrical and electronic equipment. This occurrence leads to system malfunctions and failures, which can threaten the performance of life support devices, military radio frequencies and aircraft flight controls – to name a few examples. Malfunctioning or failure of these types of systems, triggered by EMI, can be problematic, dangerous and life-threatening.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Foams, EMI Shielding