EMI/RFI Shielding Laminates
EMI/RFI Shielding Laminates
EM-X700
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EMI/RFI Shielding Laminates |
EM-X700 |
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Today most computer, telephones, televisions, and electronic instruments are molded from plastic because plastic is inexpensive, strong and attractive. Unfortunately plastic is virtually transparent to electromagnetic and radio frequency emissions. To shield against these emissions, there must be a barrier of an electrical conductive material. Shielding laminates provide an economical and effective solution to this problem.
Most shielding laminates consist of a metal foil combined with a plastic insulating film. The substrates are joined under pressure using an acrylic adhesive. The foil provides the shielding properties and the insulator prevents any electrical shorting with components or the circuit boards. The insulator adds rigidity to the final design. Materials are selected based on the form, fit and function of the shield.
Orion Industries Incorporated Ayer, MA has been producing shielding laminates for over twenty-five years. "We have seen an increasing need for these types of shields"' says Frank Widmayer, Orion's President. "Our first design prevented any interference between printed circuit boards. Since then we have designed and manufactured shields in all shapes and sizes, from shielding small components on a circuit board to computer monitors and keyboards." Frank describes foil laminates as:
Economical Laminates are less costly that spray-on conductive paint or plated coatings and they often use inexpensive tooling. Versatile Laminates can be custom designed to satisfy any application. Rapid prototypes are available and have become and 'Orion trademark'. Effective Laminated shields do not deteriorate. Spray shielding can break down with time and also flake, causing circuit problems. Environmentally friendly Shields can be removed from the plastics enclosure, allowing the cabinet to be reground and the material used in a new product.
Designs can also incorporate selective die cutting to expose specific areas in either the shielding or insulation material. The shielding material is often exposed to provide a convenient grounding point. If there is any danger that the shield could short circuit, then the shielding material will be selectively die cut to include only insulation material in that area. In recent years, the quality of conductive adhesives has improved dramatically and ORION now regularly adds these to shield designs.
The majority of laminated shields are produced with steel rule dies. This type of tooling is relatively inexpensive, adaptable and readily produced. Other advantages of steel rule die processing are rapid set-ups and low lead times. While it is true that larger quantities are often the most economical, ORION supplies shields in any volume, small or large, for all customers.
As Federal and European community standards for shielding rise, the demand for shielding laminates grows. Many manufacturers are also becoming more responsive to environmental concerns and the need to recycle their products. Plastic enclosures which have been spray coated or electroplated cannot be recycled. An enclosure that uses a laminate can be recycled easily. The use of foil laminates will have significant effect on reducing waste in our environment as our demand for electronics grows.
Orion Industries Incorporated is ISO 9002 registered and is listed with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. as a participant in their recognized fabricated parts program, A1585, based on material traceability.
Orion Awarded Two Patents in Shielding Design
The U.S. Patent Office has issued two patents to Orion Industries Inc. Ayer MA for inventions designed to control Electro Magnetic Interference and Radio Frequency Interference ( EMI /RFI). U.S. Patent These designs and various adaptations to them, are being applied to computers, telephones, video equipment and many other electronic devices. ORION developed both patents for use with its laminated shielding materials. Since plastic enclosures are virtually transparent to EMI/RFI emissions, an electrically conductive material is required to create a barrier or shield to contain these emissions. Shields also need to take up minimal space within the enclosure and prevent the electronic components from shorting out. ORION's shielding laminates provide an economical and effective solution to these problems. The laminates consist of metal foil combined with plastic insulating film. The foil provides shielding properties while the insulator prevents the shorting of components on the circuit boards.