Graphic praise for films
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MacDermid Autotype product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Apr 16, 2002
By introducing a design support service, Calman Technology was able to ensure that high-quality imagery and graphics were incorporated during the manufacture of its membrane keypads.
By introducing a design support service, Calman Technology was able to ensure that high-quality imagery and graphics were incorporated during the manufacture of its membrane keypads.
To implement this policy, the firm required a high-quality polyester film capable of being used in conjunction with UV inks.
Its decision to use Autotype International was made easy thanks to its Autotex fine-texture film.
The demand for creative fasciae is growing at an astonishing rate due to the increased importance attached to innovative design and a product's perceived value.
This growing reliance on graphics is being fuelled by the desire to achieve product differentiation and ultimately greater volume sales.
John Dobson, Managing Director of Calman Technology, knows only too well the importance attached to creative fascia design.
"Graphics are important as customers look for that all-important differentiating factor".
His company manufactures membrane touch keypads for a wide range of industries including the medical electronics, security and process control sectors.
He says one of the main reasons customers choose Calman over other membrane panel manufacturers is because of its ability to provide design support and manufacture membranes to the highest standards.
Because of this growing demand for visually-pleasing products, Dobson says Calman adopted Autotype International's F207 film from its Autotex family of high-quality textured polyester films.
The ability to use the 200-micron film in conjunction with UV inks - thereby offering a higher standard of graphic - was the main reason behind Calman's decision.
"Previously we used solvent-based inks which were unable to produce the resolution required for high-quality images.
The Autotex F207 film enabled us to use UV inks, which in turn allowed us to print using a four-colour process.
"This is important because membrane keyboards and switch panels are being used increasingly to add value to products, and with the F207 film and UV inks we are able to print finer dots and therefore better images.
This means we can provide a broader range of services to a much higher standard".
Dobson explains that he feels the material's impact has been considerable.
Used "whenever a customer wants an enhanced graphic", the Autotex F207 film has already been employed for some of Calman's key customers.
Dobson says: "An early product application that shows off the effect of the film is the Vickers Electronics product, which incorporates an image of a printed circuit board".
Including dome embossing, a LCD display and LED indicators, the resulting touch panel, Dobson explains, was almost A4 in size with a landscape layout.
Dobson admits he was pleased his assessment of the job was echoed by the customer's satisfied comments.
"It's always good when both sides appraise the job in the same way.
For our part, we thought the job went really well and the material handled extremely competently.
The customer also seems very pleased with the end result".
Dobson says the Vickers job provided the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the print quality standards that were reportedly achievable using UV inks and the Autotex F207 film.
"A particular characteristic of the Autotype film and the UV inks is the fineness of the printed image.
This was particularly evident on the Vickers job".
His experiences with Autotype International, and more recently with the Autotex film, has helped Dobson form a comprehensive opinion of Europe's leading manufacturer of specialist products for screen, digital and industrial print applications.
"Autotype", Dobson explains, "produces high-quality products which we use throughout our graphical and circuit-manufacturing processes.
We have been so impressed with Autotype that we now recommend to all of our customers that they use Autotype in all of their projects".
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Contact MacDermid Autotype
Tel +44 1235 771111
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