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.

Efficiency and safety in industrial applications are imperative. Schreiner ProTech offers a wide variety of specialized products that satisfy exactly those requirements. From high-tech labels to RFID technology: a brief overview of the innovative solutions.

The trend in automotive cockpits is clearly discernible.
Increasingly larger and more powerful displays are gaining traction. That results in a growing need to protect them against external influences. Especially in the age of pillar-to-pillar displays extending across the entire width of the vehicle, specialty protection films and adhesive solutions have become indispensable. Display protection films ensure the quality of displays until the vehicle is handed over to the customer by protecting them against mechanical damage. The films can also be designed for optimal ESD performance so that applying or peeling off the protection film does not result in electrostatic discharge damaging electric components.

Safety first

With increasing electrification of the automotive sector in-vehicle electronics are becoming more and more sensitive while on-board voltage levels continue to rise. Insulation films play a key role in ensuring the safety and reliability of in-vehicle electronics. All of Schreiner Group’s specialty films have high dielectric strength which is crucial for trouble-free performance of on-board electronics and avoidance of safety risks.

Clever Multifunctional Components

In addition to insulation films, self-adhesive diecut parts are true multi-talents because these multifunctional adhesive solutions can be used for insulation purposes as well. An intermediate film layer between the printed circuit board (PCB) and the housing, for instance, can have an insulating effect while the various adhesives can be adapted to the specific requirements of the surfaces. This not only secures the bond but also protects components against dielectric breakdown and the resulting potential failure of electronic systems.

A Product with Potential

When it comes to using protection and specialty films in the automotive sector, there are three aspects taking center stage: protecting, joining, and insulating.

Whether displays etc. require protection against scratches and impacts, the performance of electrical components must be ensured, or further innovative applications need to be developed: there’s massive potential to be tapped in the field of protection and specialty films. For the automotive industry, these versatile components have already become indispensable. Other industries depending on powerful adhesive bonding and protected displays have recognized their possible uses as well. Exactly that is what drives Schreiner Group’s experts. They’re currently working on particularly sustainable protection films while the team at Schreiner ProTech keeps pursuing new ideas to fully tap the related potential in order to actively help shape the future in this area.

Schreiner’s solution is based on two components: the so-called Folding Frame and the Folding Frame Processing System. What makes this solution so special?

Folding Frame

Unlike variants using liquid adhesive, where long curing times often slow down the manufacturing process and the flow characteristics of the glue usually prevent one-hundred-percent precision and cleanliness of creating the adhesive bond, this variant using foam-based adhesive tapes is fast, easy, and eco-friendly. Due to the creation of a small, foldable frame version, a full-surface outer frame can be avoided, and in-process material consumption can be significantly reduced. In the case of the Folding Frame, the adhesive material is produced side-by-side in a space-saving way. The adhesive tapes remain connected at the ends to subsequently ensure tightness—a major advantage compared to conventional adhesive tape solutions.

Folding Frame Processing System

The Folding Frame Processing System is like the icing on the cake and makes this angular adhesive bonding solution truly unique: it enables absolutely precise positioning of the adhesive tapes. “At the competence center, we thought about how we could simplify the application of the tapes while ensuring high levels of precision,” says Michael Reineke from the Schreiner Services competence center, summarizing the situation. The result is a semi-automatic application system that picks up the adhesive tapes, unfolds them to create a frame, and joins the components together. That ensures high application accuracy and reproducibility. For the customer, it translates into significant time and cost savings and a reduction of potential mistakes in manual processes.

The processing system can be used whenever shapes with at least four corners exist. The Folding Frame Solution, for which a patent application has been filed, is equally efficient and versatile: “Whether it comes to precise fastening of displays,” explains Product Manager Markus Loris from Schreiner ProTech, “the equalization of irregularities or height differences, damping of vibrations, or sealing to keep out dust and splash water, thanks to its versatility and strength, the Folding Frame Solution can be used in a wide variety of markets and is absolutely in line with industry’s lightweight design trend.”

The splash water- and temperature-resistant Folding Frame Solution is not only a true alternative in the marketplace but also a good example of how Schreiner Group can deliver a product and matching processing system from a one-stop shop thanks to a well-gelled team.

Smaller, lighter, and simpler: That’s what components should be—not only in the automotive industry. There’s an obvious trend to “keep it simple” while the exacting demands to be met by the components continue to exist. In the form of the Film-Based Cover (FBC), Schreiner ProTech offers its customers an optimal solution.

Currently, plastic component housings are typically closed using injection-molded covers. However, those covers entail high tooling costs and require a certain amount of space during shipping as well in relation to installation.

A film-based cover as a housing closure provides a simpler solution reducing handling complexity. It features a strong polyester film that is cut to size and delivered on rolls. Its benefits are obvious: The film considerably helps save weight of the entire component—up to 85 % weight savings are possible! Lightweight and flat, the film-based solution provides a watertight and dustproof closure and withstands chemical, mechanical, and thermal stress. Consequently, a wide variety of challenging automotive applications can be implemented with it. Schreiner ProTech’s applicator system enables precision application of this substitute for injection-molded covers. Laser welding creates a permanent and reliable bond between the film and the housing.

The possible integration of pressure compensation seals is another advantage of the film-based solution. Schreiner ProTech’s total solution is rounded out by the significant cost benefits of the Film-Based Cover for customers.

Attractive alternative: Film-Based Covers are clearly lighter and flatter than injection-molded housings. In addition, they can be provided with (left) and without (right) pressure compensation seals.

Film-Based Covers can be used in various vehicle applications. Whether in electronic control units or sensor housings, the film-based components are advantageous wherever weight savings and minimal space requirements are crucial.

Steinlen Elektromaschinenbau GmbH in Hanover is specialized in the repair, maintenance, and manufacturing of drive-technology components, especially gear motors that are provided with their protective coating in a modern painting center. Previously, the nameplate for marking the product could be applied only after the painting process so that the product was not clearly identifiable and trackable until it had left the paint shop.

Together with Schreiner ProTech, Steinlen has now managed to optimize an important part of the production process. The objective was to apply the nameplate before the painting process, which posed a challenge because the plate required suitable protection during painting. In addition, the adhesive of the label had to stick to a cast component with a rough surface. Plus, since a large product volume entails a large number of variants involving many different label sizes, each label is one of a kind.

With the Color Laser Film including a paint mask and the corresponding laser marking system from Schreiner ProTech, all requirements were satisfactorily met in an automated process. As a result, Steinlen can now cut and inscribe nameplates specifically for any customer order.

Laser-markable labels with integrated paint masks enable permanent marking of components, ensuring their reliable identification even on rough substrates and after the painting process. Due to the specific product features of Color Laser Film, the inscription can be performed through the paint mask, which eliminates the usual need for subsequent application of the paint mask. The paint mask including the paint is peeled off by means of a starter tab, which makes the nameplate legible again.

Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH (BHTC) based in Lippstadt, Germany, produces control and display systems for vehicle interiors. To protect their products, BHTC opted for a total system consisting of the display protection film and dispensing unit from Schreiner ProTech. This provides BHTC with everything from a onestop shop and accelerates the entire workflow. In addition, the automatic application process helps dispense the large-size film with near-homogeneity and without air bubbles to ensure a high-grade look.

The experts from Schreiner ProTech selected a material suiting their specific requirements. The material was supposed to have limited insulating properties and allow for the charge carriers to balance each other during the display and film separation process so that there is no risk due to electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD-related precautions are even taken during the dispensing process of the film because the associated dispensing system from Schreiner ProTech reduces electrostatic charging during the application of the protection film.

A water meter indicates the volume of water that has passed through it. That’s why they have to be calibrated. Digital water meters are particularly accurate. Efficient data acquisition and transmission combined with systematic data analysis provide major opportunities for enhancing the quality of water supply systems.

Significant savings can be achieved by detecting waste, localizing leakage, and reducing the need for related service travel. The metering technology employed is decisive for capturing and transmitting the data required by water utilities quickly and reliably.

Digital water meters use wireless technology for data transmission. To prevent reading errors of domestic water meters by external wireless devices, they must be shielded against ambient light penetrating the housing. The absence of such shielding may result in interference with the light barrier inside the meter, which is excited by controlled influx of light, leading to reading and transmission errors of the information logged within the device.

Schreiner ProTech has developed a light-shielding film for Lorenz for adhesive application around the water meter inside the housing. It prevents the penetration of external light rays and therefore effectively eliminates light interference affecting the reading of information.

Displays have to be protected against external effects such as dirt or potential damage like scratching throughout the value chain from production to delivery to installation in a vehicle. Display protection films from Schreiner ProTech serve this purpose, because a scratched display in a brand-new car would result in considerable disappointment on the customer’s part and the resulting image loss to the manufacturer.

Moreover, the risk of electrostatic discharge must be mitigated during the non-residual removal of this film from a display. Protection films reduce the probability of electric flashovers when the protection film is peeled off a display.This also mitigates the risks of damage to electronic components or persons suffering electric shocks.

Due to the increasingly larger sizes of displays, the protection film is required in unusually large sizes as well. Schreiner ProTech offers an optimal price-performance ratio. Besides the required durability, the product delivers additional benefits: “Application is simple and efficient. For instance, the protection film can be imprinted with processing information to facilitate manual application. Fully automated application is possible as well,” says Dana Imminger, Product Manager for Protection film at Schreiner ProTech. The layout can be customized to suit individual needs. In addition, the integrated tab ensures easy removal of the film.

Charge transfers are caused by electrostatic charging, i.e. the separation of or friction between two materials. However, energized components such as cables and wires, chassis or PCBs may also cause flashovers unless they’re adequately insulated. Components may be damaged, people put at risk or combustible substances ignited by spark formation in this case as well.

Learn more about protection films and warning labels for electrical components in our 4-part series. Read about how they reduce the risks to humans and components through insulation, shielding and warnings.

In this series, Schreiner ProTech addresses a variety of aspects focused on the topic of protection films and warning labels. The articles posted discuss the following questions: How can components be protected against damage caused by electrical voltages, charge transfers and electromagnetic waves? How can warning labels caution against hazards emanating from high voltage? What types of stress do they have to resist?

More information on Schreiner ProTech: www.schreiner-protech.com