fastening & assembly solutions and technology - Approved Business
fastening & assembly solutions and technology - Approved Business
fastening & assembly solutions and technology - Approved Business
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with the substrates being encapsulated<br />
meaning, for example, that watertight<br />
systems are readily created.<br />
Beyond that, the grip on to PVC is<br />
excellent, making them highly suitable<br />
for sealing <strong>and</strong> anchoring cables. Also,<br />
the resin bonds even to clean steel, solders<br />
<strong>and</strong> other metals commonly encountered<br />
in electronic modules.<br />
When cool, Macromelt is tough,<br />
retaining slight flexibility at low temperatures,<br />
yet good rigidity to 130°C or even<br />
higher temperatures with the appropriate<br />
grade. Electrical insulation is excellent at<br />
typically 1 x 1012 Ω*cm <strong>and</strong> dielectric<br />
breakdown does not occur up to stresses<br />
of 20kV/mm.<br />
The process<br />
The system consists of the moulding<br />
product, the mould set, the machine, <strong>and</strong><br />
the melting unit.<br />
Macromelt products melt <strong>and</strong> flow at<br />
low viscosities (1,000 to 10,000 cps),<br />
which is ideal for the low injection pressure<br />
process. These hot melts cure quickly<br />
by cooling, so there are no toxic fumes<br />
<strong>and</strong> cycle times are short. The materials<br />
are available in amber, black <strong>and</strong> custom<br />
colours.<br />
The mould set, which is usually made<br />
from aluminium, facilitates the process to<br />
trial stage. Aluminium is preferred as it<br />
has a low injection pressure, better thermal<br />
conductivity, <strong>and</strong> no abrasive ingredients,<br />
such as fillers <strong>and</strong> glass fibres.<br />
Steel can also be used as the material for<br />
Connectors can be safely secured<br />
using a hot melt resin<br />
Security for wires <strong>and</strong> cabling is assured using a hot melt resin in grommets<br />
the mould set, if the manufactured part<br />
includes steel or hard glass filled components.<br />
In the latter case, it is recommended<br />
that steel inserts be used in the<br />
area of the cavity.<br />
There are many types of moulding<br />
machines available, although they generally<br />
fall into two categories. For smallscale<br />
production the option is a manually<br />
opened mould set. Where there are production<br />
that call for high productivity <strong>and</strong><br />
FAST OCTOBER 2011<br />
output, the machines come with a sliding<br />
stage or rotary table for the mould set.<br />
The melting unit is equipment used for<br />
injection of the hotmelt resin into the<br />
mould set.<br />
So, all in all, the use of hotmelts for<br />
encapsulation is good news for several<br />
reasons.<br />
First, Low Injection Pressure means<br />
that fragile <strong>and</strong>/or delicate components<br />
can be encapsulated without fear of damage.<br />
In addition, improved productivity<br />
can be achieved through fast cycle times<br />
(in many cases just 10 to 15 seconds),<br />
there is no chemical reaction, <strong>and</strong> the single-component<br />
material means the process<br />
is both simple <strong>and</strong> clean. Further,<br />
the resin qualities mean that water-tight<br />
encapsulation with adhesion is possible,<br />
<strong>and</strong> there is excellent electric insulation<br />
<strong>and</strong> water resistance. And depending on<br />
their chemical basis, the moulding products<br />
are resistant to petrol, oils, alcohols,<br />
acids <strong>and</strong> alkalis. Beyond that, the <strong>technology</strong><br />
produces good thermal durability<br />
characteristics, with temperature resistance<br />
from -40°C to +150°C.<br />
Finally, because the products are<br />
based on non-toxic <strong>and</strong> renewable raw<br />
materials, the <strong>technology</strong> is<br />
environmentally compatible.<br />
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