Flexible Solutions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Containment and Control EMI Shielding Solutions

Posted by Andrew Bonar

June 19, 2017 8:15 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

Die-cut Solutions for Plastic Injection Molders

Posted by Andrew Bonar

June 5, 2017 1:49 PM

Why is it so important that plastic injection molding companies provide value added services and secondary manufacturing services to their customers after molding their parts?

The answer is easy! Many end-customers of plastic injection molders are looking for vendor consolidation and supply chain simplification. They want to cut out and skip steps in their supply chain, sequentially helping to reduce costs and save time.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Foams, manufacturing techniques, Acrylic Foam Tape, PORON

Emblem Attachment Solutions: The Perfect Bond

Posted by Andrew Bonar

May 30, 2017 10:35 AM

Emblem Adhesive Tape Solutions

Think about all the things an emblem is exposed to each day during its lifetime. Depending on their use, emblems have to absorb the shock of a car driving over a pothole, the blow of a boat sailing over a wave, the turbulence of a plane flying through a jet stream, and even the vibrations of a running washing machine. 

On top of all those external forces, in many situations, weather conditions are also a major factor. It's no easy task for an emblem to hold its bond or evade cracks during hot summers, cold winters, and severe weather storms.

After all an emblem endures, you would expect it to fall off quickly, which it will, unless you use industry leading emblem adhesive tapes to create a strong bond. Using the highest quality attachment materials ensures an emblem will maintain its longevity and hold a strong bond.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Foams, manufacturing techniques, Acrylic Foam Tape

Bonding in Gasket and Sealing Applications

Posted by Katie Sullivan

July 18, 2016 10:36 AM

Marian sales engineers are experts in designing high quality parts for any small, complex applications. Below, you will find links to two of our newest success stories that highlight laminated foam materials in two very different markets (LED lighting and automotive). In both stories, you will find that Marian's team of experts worked closely with customers to design a unique part and provided exceptional material recommendations to create a winning solution. Sales engineers must be strategic in choosing materials to ensure that they meet all requirements of the design.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Foams

What You Need to Know about the TR Series

Posted by Katie Sullivan

June 22, 2016 11:01 AM

Nitto TR Thermally Conductive Adhesive Tape Series

Nitto’s TR series is a must-have for thermal and electronic applications. The TR series features a selection of double-coated tapes including TR-5912F and TR-5925F. These tapes exhibit powerful adhesion and thermal conductivity which accounts for their strength and reliability. Nitto recommends replacing the use of a screw-in an LED or other thermal applications with these thermally conductive adhesives for the best performance. Using the tape method offers superior thermal conductivity performance, and can extend the life of your LED, compared to using the screw method. 

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Topics: Thermal Management, Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

PSA Talk: What to Know about Tape Carriers

Posted by Katie Sullivan

May 25, 2016 10:51 AM

Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are defined as any transfer, single coated, or double coated bonding tapes that only require pressure in order to completely adhere and bond to a surface. One important component that single coated tapes and double coated tapes share is their requirement to have a tape carrier. Depending on the type of tape you're using, the carrier serves different purposes.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

5 Things to know about the New Low VOC Attachment Tapes from 3M™

Posted by Katie Sullivan

May 2, 2016 2:53 PM

3M™ has released a series of new attachment tapes for the automotive market with a goal to strengthen their offering in low VOC thin attachment tapes where increasing regulation and OEM/Tier suppliers are driving a larger need. VOC refers to the amount of volatile organic compounds. VOCs are inherently present in newly produced components for auto interiors, which are made of materials like rubber, plastic, foam, and leather. They contain additives that are especially volatile when vehicles are new.  Automobile manufacturers have become increasingly focused on the air quality of the interior, making a push toward lower VOC emissions, which makes low VOC tapes appealing. 

Here are 10 things you should know about 3M Low VOC Tapes:

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tape Constructions - Die Cut Tapes

Posted by Katie Sullivan

May 15, 2015 9:54 AM

The use of pressure sensitive adhesives is growing rapidly in the industrial manufacturing market. The advantages of using adhesive tapes are clear:  they are lightweight, clean, and safe. Marian has the converting capabilities to produce die cut tapes, which are cut to specific dimensions. Tapes are often combined with, or laminated to other materials such as foam or film to create a more dynamic die cut part.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Ingress Protection Rating (IP Rating) Explained

Posted by Katie Sullivan

April 13, 2015 10:53 AM

Ingress Protection (IP) Rating is a common international test method (IEC 60529) to rate enclosure protection from objects and liquids.  

Why is an IP Rating Important?  

UL, CSA and CE Mark Standards often require certified products to hold a specific IP rating. Some examples of such products include IT equipment, laboratory equipment, electronic measurement equipment, plus anything claiming to be "dust tight" or "water-resistant", etc.

These terms indicate that a device is able to operate successfully in harsh environments such as potentially wet and dusty conditions. The IP rating scale provides a range of two numbers that indicate the level of protection provided.

The IP Rating looks like this: IPXX

1.  The first number indicates protection from solid objects or materials

2.  The second number indicates protection from liquids

For example, an enclosure that is rated IP54 is dust-protected. It will allow limited ingress of dust with the operation of the equipment for 2 to 8 hours. The enclosure is also protected against water splashed from all directions; limited water ingress permitted.

Before choosing materials for an IP-rated enclosure, it's important to understand the conditions and forces your application will encounter.  

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Foams, IP Rating

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Acrylic Foam Tape

Posted by Katie Sullivan

March 24, 2015 2:41 PM

 

Die-cut foam tape can be an excellent choice for your bonding application. With help from our friends at 3M, here are the top 10 reasons to choose acrylic foam tape versus mechanical fasteners. 

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Acrylic Foam Tape

3M Acrylic Foam Tapes - Primerless Solutions

Posted by Katie Sullivan

February 5, 2015 11:56 AM

What There is to Know About Tape Primers 

3M recently launched two high-performance acrylic foam tape lines for the automotive market: EX4500 and PX5000.

3M tape primers are applied to the bonding surface prior to the application of the tape. Primers are often made of chemicals like isopropyl alcohol and promote and increase adhesion.

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Zoned Adhesive Lamination

Posted by Katie Sullivan

January 7, 2015 9:41 AM

Zoned adhesive lamination describes the process of laminating a selective pattern of PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive) onto another material to achieve a specific function. Simply said, this process involves manufacturing a multi-layer part in which the layers have different geometries. This occurs through a process of conversion - laminating materials together, precisely die cutting those materials, and pulling away from the unwanted PSA material from the finished part.  

Zoned adhesive patterns are often required for filter and venting die-cut components and often include a PSA layer. As you can see in this image, the mesh is cut into a circle while the adhesive is cut into a ring, which allows air and sound to flow through the center of the mesh.  

 

 

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

tesa® Bond & Detach - Stretchable Adhesive

Posted by Katie Sullivan

December 17, 2014 11:48 AM

Tape for Permanent Mounting AND/OR Temporary Fixation. Is that possible!? 

How can an adhesive tape have an extremely high bonding strength while also being easily removable?  Seems improbable, right?  Let us introduce you to the tesa® Bond & Detach series of stretch release tapes.  

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Adhesive Peel Strength - Die-Cut Tapes

Posted by Katie Sullivan

August 1, 2014 10:17 AM

When selecting a pressure sensitive adhesive for your die-cut tape, there are many characteristics to consider. Tapes have varying degrees and even different varieties of peel strength. Peel strength, tensile strength, and shear strength of a tape are each measured utilizing specific tests, as shown in the video demonstrations below.

When choosing a PSA for your application, you will want to consider the different types of adhesion strength and determine which are the most important to your application’s proper function.  

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Peel Strength

Surface Energy and Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes

Posted by Katie Sullivan

July 8, 2014 1:51 PM

Over the years, the use of pressure sensitive adhesive tape has grown rapidly in manufacturing and practically all other industries. This means a growing number of design engineers are learning about and sourcing pressure sensitive adhesives for their application. Adhesive selection is an involved process is to determine the surface energy of the two substrates that are being bonded. 

WHAT IS SURFACE ENERGY?

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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, Surface Energy

Choosing a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive? We Can Help

Posted by Katie Sullivan

June 13, 2014 1:51 PM

Are you designing a product or working on an application that requires a double-sided tape or transfer adhesive? There are infinite amounts of tape materials available with different adhesive types, carrier types, and constructions. We understand that it can be overwhelming to look through numerous catalogs of pressure-sensitive adhesive products to determine which one will work best in your application. Therefore, we have come up with a checklist of only 4 questions that will help you narrow down the most important factors in your decision. Some factors to start with when selecting a PSA material include:

  • Required function of the PSA (i.e.: bonding, sealing, skin contact)
  • Substrate surface energy (is the bonding surface high surface energy, low surface energy?)
  • What type of stress will be exerted on the PSA? (shear stress, pluck stress?)
  • What other conditions will the PSA be exposed to? (high/low temperatures, solvent & liquid exposure, visual appearance)
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Topics: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

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