UK 'centre of excellence' for EMI/RFI Shielding

An Applied Coating Technologies product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 15, 2001

Applied Coating Technologies (ACT), the UK's leading expert in shielding design, theory and the application of conductive coatings has joined forces with RFI Shielding Ltd (RFI), Top Tech Ireland (TTI

Applied Coating Technologies (ACT), the UK's leading expert in shielding design, theory and the application of conductive coatings has joined forces with RFI Shielding Ltd (RFI), Top Tech Ireland (TTI) and Quality Plated Plastics (QPP) to form a "centre of excellence" for EMI/RFI Shielding.

The company will be displaying the combined capabilities of its partners at Nepcon 2001: Stand 8400.

For the first time experts in paint-spraying, vacuum deposition, electroplating and gasketing technology can work together to specify the optimum shielding design.

By sharing technical know-how, tooling and production capabilities, the most cost-effective manufacturing method can be specified.

The combined services now available from ACT are: Conductive Paint-Spraying; Vacuum Metallisation; Electroplating; Form-In-Place Gaskets; Decoration; Injection Moulding; and Mechanical Sub-Assembly Operations.

As shown above there are several competing technologies for achieving EMC compliance and specifying the most suitable technology for each particular application can be a daunting task for the OEM.

By working in partnership with the leading industry solutions providers, ACT can ensure that the most technically competent / cost-effective solution is specified every time.

The management team at ACT has pioneered the use of conductive paints to provide EMI/RFI shielding of plastic enclosures.

Nickel, copper and silver loaded paints can be applied selectively onto complex mouldings of almost any engineering polymer.

High levels of shielding can be achieved whilst generally providing the most cost-effective option, particularly for larger mouldings or low quantity requirements.

However some applications are more suited to Vacuum Metallisation or Electroplating: Top Tech Ireland, based in Dublin, offer a high specification vacuum metallisation process (Elamet? ) whereby pure aluminium is evaporated in a vacuum chamber to provide an extremely uniform and repeatable coating.

Recognising the need to manufacture tooling within demanding project lead-times, the engineering department at TTI has developed innovative masking solutions, reducing tooling lead-times to 4-6 weeks.

The Elamet process is extremely cost-effective for medium to high volume applications.

Quality Plated Plastics has recently installed the very latest technology in the form of a high throughput, electroless plating plant in order to serve the EMI/RFI shielding industry.

Electroplating is the most suitable shielding process for internal parts that can be coated all-over and provides the highest level of shielding protection.

The coatings are extremely durable and electrolytic coatings are often used as exterior aesthetic finishes, particularly in the mobile phone and automotive industries.

Complementing the full range of shielding coatings available from ACT, is the Form-In-Place Gasket Technology: RFI Shielding LTD has been at the forefront of Form-In-Place Gasket technology development and are working in partnership with ACT to ensure that all potential customers are provided with the highest level of technical support and design evaluation.

The F-I-P Gasket process involves depositing a conductive elastomer in liquid form directly onto a shielded part using extremely accurate computer controlled dispensing equipment.

With over 20 years experience in the field of EMC, ACT will evaluate each product design to ensure optimum shielding performance.

In addition to shielding, ACT can source and supply injection mouldings and are specialists in the decoration of plastics and sub-assembly mechanical operations.