Unlike metal boxes, low pressure molding (LPM), and plastic injection boxes, hot melts have no natural protection against electromagnetism.
That is to say they cannot prevent other devices from interfering with the equipment inside. Contrarily, you cannot prevent the EMI from your electronics from affecting other devices.
The current solutions used to produce shield protection or the “Faraday Cage” effect in encapsulated or non-metallic boxes usually involve adding external elements such as aluminum boxes, conductive coating, or other conductive material, in order to reduce EMI-EMC. However, this involves additional material and process costs.
In 2M, we are experts in designing and manufacturing components using low-pressure molding (LPM) with polyamide and polyolefin materials (hot-melt fusion).
LPM is typically used to encapsulate and protect electronic components (such as circuit boards) from the environment, for example, from humidity, dust, dirt, and vibrations.
This process often involves one or more molds and an applicator or injection machine that heats the material to its melting point and applies controlled pressure to introduce the material into the mold and cover or “encapsulate” the desired element.
In 2M, we are currently exploring a variety of LPM solutions. For example, we are developing a novel encapsulation process that acts to electromagnetically isolate electrical components using LPM. Integrating the shielding into the over molding process has meant we have reduced the BOM complexity and manufacturing costs.
Our cutting-edge EMC-LPM protection technology is a cost-effective solution that provides product protection against EMI and EMC.
How Does It Work?
We brought together our expertise in part, tooling, and process design to create this solution.
In our process, the Faraday Cage is molded over the component to protect it. This is carried out in one or more injection steps.
Each component needs to be specifically designed to ensure its correct localization in the mold. The process requirements are vital to this. Thus, each piece cannot be managed as a single unit.
