|
All the benefits of steel, none of the drawbacks
Ref:AT437
To download this image, please click here
Autotex Steel from MacDermid Autotype is helping Stephen Morse of Mapp Systems, North Shields, develop new products for his clients.
MAPP Systems is an example of the spirit of entrepreneurship that is driving the economy of this country, even at challenging times like these. Since its foundation in 1989 MAPP Systems has provided other small and medium size companies with a number of services in die cut labelling and membrane switch manufacturing. The company takes huge pride in offering customers cutting edge solutions and bespoke services, unafraid of tackling the most demanding jobs.
Having manufactured membrane switches for well over two decades MAPP Systems is fully familiar with the Autotex range of printable polyester films from MacDermid Autotype, one of the global leading producers of hardcoated plastic films for membrane switch, overlay, IMD and display applications. The Autotex range is the international yardstick for durable and screen printable, textured polyester films for membrane switch applications that, even when embossed, can give a switch life performance of over five million actuations. In addition to its outstanding flex life, attractive appearance, scratch and chemical resistance, Autotex is compatible with Windotex, a screen printable windowing lacquer, producing clear, scratch resistant windows allowing the incorporation of LCD and LED displays without damaging the physical integrity of the front switch panel.
The secret of Autotex’s success lies in the specialist coating technology applied by MacDermid Autotype. This process enhances the film’s inherent features as well as allowing selective texturing, to expand the range of possible applications. Recently, MacDermid Autotype was able to add a new line to its Autotex family, with a film that closely simulates the texture of brushed steel. Called Autotex Steel, the latest film is easy to handle and uses a special primer layer, making it compatible with most screen inks, in particular, the new range of mirror inks used to replicate the cosmetic features of steel.
Stephen Morse, MAPP Systems Managing Director, was quick to identify the potential of this new product, introducing two of his clients to Autotex Steel: one for the production of a control panel on an amplifier system, the other for a line of portable printers. The results were astonishing, as Stephen Morse explains, “When we presented the prototype to our clients they thought that we had used wafer thin steel and simply couldn’t believe that it was in fact a polyester film. The beauty of Autotex Steel is that it offers a number of advantages over conventional stainless steel materials. High quality keyboard or graphics panels can be produced at a much lower cost and can be easily embossed, making them ideal for use in applications where keys or panel areas need to have raised edges or domed switches thanks to the material’s excellent flex life. By comparison, applying buttons to a steel surface would require separate components, decreasing the number of potential applications as well as making the finished product more expensive. With Autotex Steel the operation is simple and the buttons are incorporated as one single part, making it easy to create a fully sealed fascia or keyboard panel.”
Unlike stainless steel, Autotex Steel does not show fingerprints, doesn’t dent easily and can effortlessly be printed with clear display windows or even secret-until-lit graphics. The film offers excellent colour rendition and light transmission in clear areas with graphics being printed on the second surface, so are protected from wear and abrasion by the body of the substrate itself, which is textured and chemically resistant. Paradoxically, Autotex Steel has greater scratch resistance and a more cosmetically long-lasting appearance than brushed stainless steel, without requiring specialist cleaning materials to return each part to pristine condition. With a lighter weight, manufacturing and shipping costs of parts made using Autotex Steel can also be greatly reduced – the latter being a real bonus at times of ever increasing transportation costs.
With a keen eye for detail and for providing its customers with the best possible solution, MAPP Systems was able to identify a winning product that once again exceeded expectations.
MAPP Systems and MacDermid Autotype share a common philosophy for excellence, providing the business world with effective and efficient solutions, as well as opening up prospective areas of material development to meet ever increasing market demands.
For further information contact Jenniffer Avenell,
MacDermid Autotype, Grove Road, Wantage, Oxon.OX12 7BZ.
Tel: 01235 771111.
Fax: 01235 771196.
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.macdermidautotype.com
This press information was written and distributed by 4CM.
For further copies, colour separation requests, images or other details on MacDermid Autotype please contact us on 01296 660080 or email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
About Autotex Steel
Autotex Steel is a high quality textured film, consisting of a polyester base coated with a flexible chemically bonded, UV-cured textured coating. The product is available in sheet or roll format in different gauges ranging from 150 to 200 micron, for solvent and UV inks printing. Autotex S can be windowed using MacDermid’s proprietary lacquer Windotex to improve the clarity of incorporated LED and LCD windows. It is resistant to alcohols, dilute acids, dilute alkalis, esters, hydrocarbons, ketones and household cleaning agents (DIN 42 115 test method). Optically, Autotex S features a Gardner Haze test result of 50% ±5% (ASTM D10031) and Gloss Level (60°) of 25-30% with the grain (MD) and 8-10% against the grain (ASTM D2457-031).
About MacDermid Autotype
MacDermid Autotype manufacture a wide range of speciality films for membrane switches, touch switches and Film Insert Moulding (FIM) products for the automotive, telecommunications and domestic appliance sector. With specialist expertise in precision coating technology, MacDermid Autotype transforms and enhances the performance of films for many high technology and demanding applications. MacDermid Autotype’s most recent launches have been of antimicrobial hard coated films for hygiene critical surface applications and a unique steel finish hardcoated film for membrane touch switches.
MacDermid Autotype is also the leading global innovator, designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised screen print chemicals and films. In recent years MacDermid Autotype products have brought screen printing to new levels of control and repeatability, reinforcing the benefits of the process for many demanding industrial printing applications.
The company is part of MacDermid Inc. of Denver, Colorado, a leading supplier of offset blanket, flexo plates and of chemicals for industrial finishing, including plating and coating of metals and plastics.
|
