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EMI shielding coatings used to facilitate technology transfer from metal to plastic enclosures
Applied Coating Technologies Ltd has been working in partnership with Edwards and Nordell Ltd to facilitate the transfer of a wide range of enclosures from metal to plastic. Edwards has a reputation for delivering the highest quality vacuum pump and exhaust management system solutions, supporting a broad spectrum of applications – from laboratory to the most demanding semiconductor and industrial processes. A programme was initiated to add further benefits to the design of some enclosures by reducing weight and cost and improving the corporate branding without compromising the strength and performance of the original designs. |
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EMC compliance was crucial to ensuring the success of this programme. Achieving high levels of protection is only one criterion that needs to be considered when specifying a conductive coating for EMI/RFI shielding. Each Edwards project was assessed by ACT against the following criteria to ensure the optimum solution was specified:
- Level of shielding required
- Compatibility with substrate material
- Environmental stability
- Masking characteristics
This led to two different coatings being specified across the Edwards range of enclosures:
Applicoat EC225 silver-plated copper loaded paint applied to a nominal thickness of 25 microns to achieve a sheet resistance of <0.1 ohms per square, and
Applicoat ES210 silver -loaded paint applied to a nominal thickness of 10 microns to achieve a sheet resistance of <0.05 ohms per square.
Edwards test results have shown that Applicoat ES210 performs as good as, and in some cases better, than a standard metal enclosure. It was also critical to Edwards that any new technology is RoHS, WEEE and REACH compliant.
In total, 18 different enclosures have now been transferred from metal to plastic. The availability of low-cost, Far East injection mould tool manufacture has helped to make this process a commercial success too. Edwards has achieved its objective of recouping the initial capital investment within a 2-year period and has reduced its inventory significantly through the Kanban supply of fully shielded mouldings by Nordell Ltd.
In addition to the application of EMI shielding coatings, ACT also offers a wide range of decorative and functional coatings, servicing markets including defence, medical, automotive and white goods.
For further information, please contact:
Christine Hancock (e-mail: chancock at applicoat.com)
Applied Coating Technologies Ltd, Tipton Road, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3HY, UK Tel: 0121 557 5324, Fax: 0121 557 7064
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