| Title: | The shape of things to come. |
| Subject(s): | |
| Source: | |
| Author(s): | |
| Abstract: | Reports on York, Pennsylvania-based Topflight Corp.'s custom-created internal components for electronic systems assemblies' achievement of die-cut and laser-cut accuracies. Development of components for extremely high-temperature operations; Creation of flexible circuits and sensors generating low-voltage activation signals. INSET: Innovations. |
| AN: | 831364 |
| ISSN: | 0003-679X |
| Database: | MasterFILE Premier |
Section: ASSEMBLY
Custom-created internal components for assembly of electronic and electrical systems take shapes and configurations of unprecedented die-cut and laser-cut accuracies, according to Dale Katko, market manager for Topflight Corp.
"Our capabilities," says Katko, "now promise designers what may well be unique opportunities in the creation of custom-assembly parts and components, including clear lenses or opaque light inhibitors, double-faced connectors, vibration buffers and shock absorbers, and laminated-configured spacers."
In conjunction with the York, Pa., firm's research-and-development resources in adhesive formulation and materials coating, its "CyberStudio" design activities include component development for extremely high-temperature operations; multilayered, asymmetrical parts; precisely scored and perforated insulators; and RFI-shielded open-cell or closed-cell foam gaskets, seals, and closures; and discrete stand-alone RFI shielding that can be folded, spindled, or twisted without delamination.
Further design opportunities focus on the creation of conductively printed and intricately die-cut and interconnected roll-form or sheet-form flexible circuits and sensors to generate low-voltage activation signals.
Precise coating capabilities produce dissimilar adhesive patterning with differing release characteristics for a wide range of concurrent material characteristics. Applications include tamper evidence, deadened release tabs, permanent adhesions at extremely high or low temperatures and humidities, and "peel clean" properties for removable parts.
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PHOTO (COLOR): Two roles -- one of polycarbonate (left) and the other of metallized polyester with double-faced adhesive -- are among precisely die-cut components created by Topflight. For a camera assembly, the polycarbonate role is used as an internal light inhibitor. The other role is an internal connector. Other components (clockwise from top left) are printed flexible sensor, clear windows printed on high-temperature material for circuit breaker, RFI shields, die-cut overlay for coffeemaker, shielded static-discharge "feet" for current-bearing system, and internal vibration buffer.
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By Norman C. Remich