Police use panels made with embossed polyester
A
MacDermid Autotype product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Mar 10, 2004
GPS Developments was recently commissioned to produce switch panels for a communication system for the Metropolitan Police; these use Autotype's Autotex high-quality embossed polyester film.
GPS Developments, a switch panel manufacturer, was recently commissioned to produce switch panels for a communication system for the Metropolitan Police.
To ensure the panel met with the force's strict specifications, the company specified Autotype's Autotex high-quality polyester film.
Over the years, technological developments have led to new methods of detecting crime and catching the offenders.
One such development has been the use of the police helicopter to monitor, detect and assist at crime scenes.
With officers on the ground in constant communication with the 'eye-in-the-sky', criminal activities can now be monitored from all angles.
This system is now to be enhanced by the addition of equipment for control and data transfer between the ground and the air.
GPS Developments, the company responsible for the design and manufacture of the membrane switch panels used on this system recently commissioned by the Metropolitan Police, is a key supplier.
Steve Steward, managing director of GPS Developments, says: "The Met's system was quite complex - it contained many tactile switches and built-in LEDs that had to fit into relatively small panels".
GPS Developments, a manufacturer of membrane switch panels fascias and touch screens for a range of commercial and industrial users, selected Autotype's Autotex high-quality, textured polyester film to form the overlay for the panel, in conjunction with Autostat heat stabilised clear polyester for the circuit layer within the panels.
Steve Steward points out that, "Historically, textured polycarbonate had been used for overlays simply because textured polyester films did not exist.
"The problem with polycarbonate, however, is that when embossed, the switch life is much reduced.
"Autotex does not suffer from this loss of performance when embossed and offers many other advantages as well".
The month-long project resulted in a series of three state-of-the-art panels, each approximately 130mm x 70mm.
Although small, the panels represented the culmination of a number of intricate processes that demanded high levels of accuracy and extremely tough materials.
Steve Steward says the Autotex film had a very specific purpose, "Autotex is extremely tough and is used as an overlay to resist damage and ensure maximum switch life when embossed".
Two of the panels included both switches and LEDs, while the third acted simply as a display panel with 32 single-colour diodes.
Twenty membrane switches and 25 tricolour LEDs were incorporated into the two switch and display panels which meant there was no room for display windows; "It's all done through diode displays", Steve Steward explained.
The panels were made up of a number of layers including two circuits of Autostat heat-stabilised film printed with conductive ink.
Autotex was used for the graphic overlays that were printed before embossing; Steve Steward stresses that, "In production Autotex is easy both to handle and process, giving good results without special treatment".
Autotex has been an important factor in supporting the growth of the ISO 9001:2000 accredited company.
The material is extremely durable and is excellent for applications where clarity is as important as toughness.
These characteristics, along with the film's ability to extend switch life, have revolutionised the company's production process, so much so that as Steve Steward says "Autotex has now become the norm".
The company is now looking to enlarge its manufacturing facility by moving to a purpose-built factory.
"Once we expand, and turnover is up, there'll be more panels to print and even more need for Autotype's films".
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact MacDermid Autotype
Tel +44 1235 771111
Other MacDermid Autotype stories
-
Autotex film gives keyboards stainless finish
MacDermid Autotype has introduced a hardcoated polyester film for producing stainless-steel effects for membrane keyboards, keypads and fascia panels. -
Antimicrobial film used in nurse call systems
Antimicrobial film from MacDermid Autotype is being used in a range of Medicare nurse call systems to ensure the devices meet the stringent hygiene standards demanded by hospitals. -
MacDermid supplies polyester film technology
MacDermid Autotype has supplied its polyester film technology to Minimax for use in its FMZ 5000 central fire-alarm system, which offers superior fire detection and automatic fire extinguishing. -
Film protects medical alarms from microbes
Autotex AM hard coated film incorporates a specially developed Microban antimicrobial agent, which is evenly distributed throughout the film coating. -
Hard coated film keeps microbes off control panels
Autotex AM hard coated graphic overlay film is a crucial component in the control panel of the new Epi-Care epilepsy alarm from Danish Care Technology.
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
