Kratos Industries from Colorado manufactures large-format control cabinets, among other things, and has grown rapidly over the past five years. But as output increased, so did the requirements for accurate labeling—an issue that was a real challenge for a while. Thanks to a paint protection label solution from Schreiner ProTech, this bottleneck has now been solved.

With its VentingXperience, Schreiner ProTech opened a new chapter for direct customer dialog at the Oberschleissheim location. For a whole day, professional visitors from Automotive, Mobility, and General Industry had the opportunity to experience an event centered on the topic of Pressure Compensation Seals (PCS), showing how modern membrane technology and intelligent fastening solutions enhance safety and performance in challenging applications.

The VentingXperience program offered a wide variety of topics. In compact technical presentations, the specialists from Schreiner ProTech provided information about the basics and functionalities of membrane technology, the diversity of self-adhesive PCS solutions, high-protection variants such as PCS HighProtect, or combined nameplate solutions. The method of ultrasonic welding met with keen interest as well—especially for applications that must do completely without adhesives. Product stations and discussion rounds gave the participants opportunities to discuss specific use cases and to engage in exchanges about project experiences.

The discussions and exchanges showed that the requirements to be met by pressure compensation technology keep growing—not only due to the electrification in vehicle engineering but also due to increasing miniaturization and the demand for longer lifecycles.

 

The exclusive plant tour was one of the highlights of the event. At several stations, the participants had the opportunity to directly observe how Schreiner ProTech develops and produces various PCS solutions. A particularly impressive showcase was the demonstration of how high-tech membranes reliably protect sensitive electronics and what quality assurance actions are taking place in the background.

Adrian Marggraf, Product Manager for Pressure Compensation Seals, was the expert on hand to answer the guests’ questions. Many conversations revealed that exchanges between development partners and customers are particularly important to realize products that are fit for the future.

 

The positive response to the first VentingXperience event reinforces Schreiner ProTech’s motivation to continue offering professional events focused on PCS technologies. In terms of trends like the combination of pressure compensation and functional labels the demand for tailored solutions will keep growing. Consequently, Schreiner ProTech is planning to expand its role as a development partner and to support customers early in the concept stage.

Whether at our VentingXperience event, in customer conversations, or in exchanges with developers and buyers: Our continuously growing PCS HighProtect product group is in high demand. That’s hardly surprising because the requirements for pressure compensation, protection, and traceability have clearly changed in recent years. Electronic in-vehicle components are subject to extremely high stress—moisture, dust, and mechanical influences call for robust solutions and often raise specific questions. Below, experts from Schreiner ProTech provide practical answers to the most frequently asked customer questions about this special Pressure Compensation Seal.

What distinguishes the HighProtect version from other PCS variants?

This PCS product group is tough. Dust, dirt, water, harmful media—and, due to protection class IPX9K, it even resists high-pressure water jets. Only with proper protection can sensitive electronics or control units reliably function.

Do I have some latitude in terms of size?

No doubt about it! We’ve alread implemented several customized solutions in regular production. The unique design offers much greater flexibility than snap-fit or screw versions. Size, adhesive, and shape can be modified without additional tooling costs.

Is it effective and traceable even in the case of small design spaces?

For this use case, our TTR-printable HighProtect variant is ideally suited, combining a label and Pressure Compensation Seal in one product, which naturally reduces your process steps—with a minimal design height of less than 5 millimeters.

The Auto ID sector is at a turning point. Automation, IoT, and real-time localization are fundamentally changing more and more autonomous processes. Peter Altes, Managing Director of AIM-D e.V., the German-speaking unit of the global industry association for Automatic Identification, Data Acquisition, and Mobile Data Communication, talked to us about technological potential and underrated developments—and why standardization is more important than ever before.

Mr. Altes, what development are currently determining the state of Auto ID technology?
Peter Altes: A greenfield warehouse, today, is hardly conceivable anymore without RFID and automation. Now, practically any object is digitally allocated—a prerequisite for fully automated processes. In the case of older, existing facilities, though, the situation looks completely different. That always raises the question: how high is the innovation pressure? What can be changed and, above all, what are the costs? A transformation in ongoing operations resembles open-heart surgery: risky but required.

What has been misjudged or perhaps missed out on to some extent in recent years?
The idea at the beginning of the RFID hype that my yoghurt cup would be equipped with an RFID tag costing 1 cent communicating with me from the fridge telling me that its best-before-date was about to be reached: that tends not to make a lot of sense and is at least economically unfeasible.

Now if we take real-time localization as another example the situation looks different. Even though that technology has been available for a long time the market for it was only sustainably opened a few years ago, which then accelerated the innovation cycle.  

Human identification is another field reflecting the conflict between potential and its ultimate realization. Take a healthcare facility in which bedside sensors indicate that a resident has not gotten up as usual. That example shows that while a feature like that is technically feasible without any problems data protection and privacy must always be considered. In that respect, I’d like to rephrase the question and say that in some cases potential has not been fully tapped yet but not that it has been “missed out on.”

How is the industry changing in general?

Let’s face it, the crucial aspect is how we SEE the developmental potential, and that’s where we can clearly detect that things are opening. While thinking used to take place only in one’s own silo, the industry is now looking toward the left and right, and out of the box. That’s a positive because no technology can accomplish everything. Complex projects call for a technology mix. In that respect, large corporations are sometimes more flexible than SMEs where the saying frequently is, “We’ve always done it that way.” But business pressure is growing—and awareness is changing as well. We can also tell that’s happening in our association: younger members contribute new perspectives.  

Let me put it this way: We used to have product sheets and now there’s TikTok. That doesn’t mean that soon we’re going to be selling Auto ID products and solutions on that platform—but it does show how communication is changing: short, concise, easy to understand. That’s the way forward.

Where are you currently seeing the greatest challenges for the industry?

A subject that I feel is currently still underrated is standardization. Granted, it’s tedious work but it’s immensely important! “Why? Because purely proprietary systems would give a company only short-term advantages—and, honestly speaking, half-life is getting shorter and shorter.  

A globally connected world needs interoperability, in other words, a common language and that’s exactly what we support as an association.

Now venturing a look into the future, where are we going to be in 2030?

I firmly believe that we’re going to see another leap in AIDC technologies in the next few years. We’ve now been through two dents, the coronavirus pandemic and the current market uncertainties, and that has increased the pressure to act. Despite all these crises I’m optimistic and am telling you: in five years, we’re going to be in better shape than we are today! Big solutions are in demand now and they’re going to generate the market too. As an association, we’re going to keep flying the flag, creating awareness—because the journey is far from having ended.

Volker, no automobile is on the road without one and it has been patented now for over 70 years. Why are airbags, alongside seat belts, still deemed to be one the most important in-vehicle safety devices?

The seat belt of course is THE central restraint system in the event of a head-on collision but the airbag ultimately ensures that the head and torso won’t crash against the steering wheel. It supports the head and, as a result, relieves the load acting on the nape. In addition, it enlarges the survival space because it pushes the driver away from the steering wheel to some extent. Knee airbags absorb the load acting on the legs and prevent us from slipping out under the seat belt. In case of a side impact, the airbag becomes even more important because the belt offers only minimal protection there. Head and side airbags position themselves between the occupants and the vehicle’s side and distribute the forces to dampen the impact. There are even center airbags deploying between the driver and front seat passenger so that they won’t injure each other.

Now, as head of vehicle safety at ADAC, you’re close to the subject. How has airbag technology continued to evolve in recent years and what innovations have occurred in that area?

In the 1980s the driver’s front airbag was still optional equipment in luxury cars. Today, it’s standard, even in mid-range cars, and in recent years, airbags have become better and better: they’re no longer deployed as aggressively as they used to and have tethers so that they won’t hit the driver in the face. Today, there are various airbags such as side, knee, or window airbags that can even protect occupants in the event of a rollover. The latest developments are headed in the direction of individually adapting airbags to the occupant. Via sensors the system knows if someone is tall, short, heavy, or light, and adjusts the hardness of the airbag accordingly.

Addressing the technical aspects: what role does the combination of airbags with other occupant protection systems like seat belts and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) play in terms of optimal protection? 

Obviously, it would be ideal if accidents didn’t happen in the first place. ADAS can make quite a bit of a difference here by avoiding collisions or at least reducing speed. However, if a crash does occur seat belts and airbags are indispensable for protecting occupants. The combination of active safety due to ADAS and passive safety by means of airbags and belts provides the best protection. Some systems can take actions even before an impact such as putting the driver into the optimal seating position.

How is the reliability of airbags ensured across a vehicle’s lifetime?

During the development stage airbag manufacturers pay attention to the longevity of the systems even in extreme temperatures. Airbags used to have an expiration date. That’s no longer the case today. Tests have shown that airbags deliver perfect performance even after more than ten years. The filling may slightly decrease but the effect of that in an accident is minimal.

Are there any areas in which there’s a need to change safety systems, like for autonomous driving? What innovations are you expecting in the coming years?

Efforts are underway to adjust restraint systems to the seating position and the occupant even more effectively. Sensors inside the cabin can detect how someone is sitting and adjust the system accordingly. Should an airbag inflict more damage in the event of an accident (e.g., when feet are resting on the instrument panel) deployment might even be prevented. For autonomous driving, we need completely different restraint systems that work also when occupants change their seating position, for instance by turning or lying down. Certainly, there are some exciting developments in sight.  

Occupant Protection Made by Schreiner ProTech

What do high-tech membranes from Schreiner ProTech that are normally used in the automotive industry etc. have to do with fresh milk? Nothing, at first glance, but an application example from Switzerland shows where proper pressure compensation is crucial even in a cow barn.

WMB AG in Balgach (Switzerland) is the global leader in the development and production of milk meters. Their portable devices called LactoCorders measure various parameters such as milk flow, quantity, and temperature. These small meters are used with herds of cattle around the world—from the United States to Asia to Europe—helping to ensure precise data acquisition in the dairy farming sector. “LactoCorders provide essential data for analyzing animal health. For instance, they can identify inflammatory markers enabling fast responses to treat the animal,” explains Dr. Ansgar Andryani, product manager at WMB AG. “Another thing that plays an important role for our customers is the easy and, above all, reliable use of our devices.”

Among other things, the integration of a Pressure Compensation Seal (PCS) from Schreiner ProTech ensures perfect performance of the LactoCorders during the milking process. “Our Pressure Compensation Seal,” says Adrian Marggraf, the product manager for Pressure Compensation Seals at Schreiner ProTech, “has an oleophobic coating with a fluid-repelling effect while continuing to ensure venting of the membrane. In this specific case, the ingress of milk must be prevented that might damage the sensitive electronics inside the device.” Unfortunately, milk packs a punch not only in terms of calories: “If milk gets onto an oleophilic membrane the membrane will immediately become saturated. Neither must the milk be allowed to start drying because the lactose will cause the liquid to adhere to truly any structure and cause everything to stick together, inevitably leading to failure of the device,” adds Dr. Ansgar Andryani.

However, thanks to this knowledge, a special component inside the LactoCorder, and the Pressure Compensation Seal, customers can trust the reliability of the milk meters. Precision measuring technology from Switzerland paired with high-tech membranes from Oberschleissheim: this combination ensures that animal welfare and technology go hand in hand during the milking process.

The special aspect of this solution is that the new display protection uses no adhesive whatsoever but an innovative coating. The coating enables outstanding adhesion combined with ultra-easy peel-off—even in applications to large surfaces. Thanks to the new technology, homogeneous peel-off is guaranteed even in the case of complex geometries such as pillar-to-pillar displays without leaving any residues on the surfaces.

 

Fit for the Future with Versatility

There are additional reasons supporting the new display protection: For instance, the anti-static properties of the film prevent problematic charging. That makes the film particularly well-suited for use on sensitive electrical components. In addition, the film is imprintable and laserable so that it can be used for explicit markings or information directly on the film and even large geometries like those required by mega displays or complex shapes can easily be achieved.

 

Their high transparency enables easy display inspections without the film having to be removed. Increasing integration of sensitive surfaces in vehicles entails a growing need for innovative protection solutions. That’s exactly where the new film comes into play, providing OEMs and suppliers seeking innovative protective concepts for sensitive surfaces with an attractive and future-proof solution.

L = Logistic Solutions

With our high-grade RFID labels, we not only deliver the perfect basis for all challenges arising from Industry 4.0 but are primarily valued by customers around the world for our unique, tailored solutions.

O = Optimization

With smart markings, we support customers in process optimization on the factory floor: thanks to digital identification systems, all stations of the supply chain are synchronized and transparency along the entire process chain is enhanced.

G = Good

Quality is one of our central corporate values. Precision and accuracy are hallmarks not only of the acquisition and documentation of all process steps by our labels but also of the end-to-end traceability of components and products.

I = Innovation

Wanting to deliver tailored products to customers means having to think out of the box and daring to pursue new pathways. Thanks to our research and development department and our testing and processing resources, we offer our experts ample freedom for new ideas.

M = Monitoring

End-to-end material tracking on the factory floor and monitoring in real time: our digital markings add measurable value by precisely capturing and controlling the flow of materials and goods.

A = Automation

No Industry 4.0 without automation. We accompany our customers on the automation journey with flexibly configurable Auto ID solutions that seamlessly fit into the relevant automation environments.

T = Track-and-Trace

Transparency is the keyword when looking at supply chains: with our RFID solutions, we ensure traceability along the entire supply chain. Reliably and in real time.

Sometimes it is the small components that perform great feats. Pressure compensation seals (PCS) are a perfect example. For more than 25 years, they have been an integral component of Schreiner ProTech’s portfolio. Despite their unspectacular look the small pressure compensation seals are of crucial importance when it comes to protecting electronic components. A brief overview shows what has been going on this year and where things are headed in 2025.

2024 was dominated by electrification, a mega trend that would be unthinkable without pressure compensation seals. “The more electronic components are installed in an automobile the more pressure compensation seals are necessary to ensure the safety and functionality of a vehicle,” explains Adrian Marggraf, Product Manager, Pressure Compensation Seals. The small multi-talents are important not only during a vehicle’s service life but even as early as during transportation of the individual electronic components. Temperature and pressure fluctuations, dust and dirt can damage component even before they start being used, so pressure compensation seals provide an element of stability within the supply chain as well. Due to their flexibility in terms of shape, functionality, and type of attachment, emphasis continues to be placed on the self-adhesive versions.

Although pressure compensation seals are used in many other applications they play a particularly prominent part in mobility of the future. This area is not only about electrification but also about miniaturization, i.e., smaller and lighter-weight components. A case in point is PCS HighProtect, a product version that despite its minimal component height and reduced weight resists even steam cleaning and represents a true alternative to previous snap-fit or bolt-on versions.

With a wide-ranging PCS portfolio and the new PCS process center Schreiner ProTech is in an outstanding and, above all, forward-looking position because this much is certain now: In 2025, there will be no lack of momentum in this field!

More information on our PCS portfolio: https://www.schreiner-group.com/en/competences/technologies/venting-of-housings/

Longitudinal ultrasonic welding systems are a time-tested technology not only for joining membranes. However, up until now, only self-adhesive versions have been usable for fleece-backed membranes with high airflow. Those days are over now:

In a pioneering joint project, the team from Schreiner ProTech together with MS Ultraschall Technologie GmbH developed an innovative ultrasonic welding system for mechanically sensitive pressure compensation seals (PCS). The machine has clear advantages: high speed and precision.

In less than two seconds, the PCS sits exactly where it should. Plus, a quickchange system for tools significantly reduces production costs as well. Product Manager Adrian Marggraf is more than happy: “The basic machine is a development by MS Ultraschall while the expertise in ultrasonic membrane welding was provided by Schreiner Group’s Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) team. This project combines the professional knowledge of both parties and together we can now offer our customers an allnew all-in-one solution.” That solution is nothing short of a small revolution: Unlike longitudinal ultrasonic welding, a process in which the energy is transmitted directly in one direction, the torsional technology features indirect energy transmission through a rotary motion around the welding seam axis. That method is particularly gentle and specifically suited for mechanically sensitive membranes with high airflow. The benefits are obvious: “Especially in the automotive sector, where the components with sensitive electronics are becoming increasingly smaller and compact,” explains Marggraf, “they need proper pressure compensation.”

PCS attachment using torsional ultrasonic welding not only ensures a totally precise and extremely durable connection but also means that you may only need one high-performance membrane with high airflow instead of several classic PCS.”

Consequently, the complete package of the material and machine available from Schreiner ProTech is ringing in a new era of efficiency and quality enabling customers in the automotive engineering industry to benefit not only from a technological advantage but also from a sustainable competitive edge.