On the surface it sounds pretty simple – make a tape die cut with an island in the middle that is non-adhesive. Even looking at the final product does not reveal the complexities of creating precise island placement on tapes. Recently CFS had the opportunity to work with a customer on a polyimide die cut requiring zone non-adhesion. This project was completed in our ISO 7 clean room using our Delta ModTech precision rotary press.
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As a 3M Preferred Converter, CFS has the opportunity to work on very challenging projects which require an extensive knowledge of the intricacies and eccentricities of die cutting VHB and high-performance foam tapes. The properties of these tapes which make them desirable for badge/emblem attachment also make them more difficult to work with than traditional tapes. Our Delta ModTech features advanced technologies making these complex projects possible.
Double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesives like film or foam tapes are extremely popular among vehicle emblem adhesives. Contrary to the stigma of tape as a “temporary” adhesive, double-sided automotive tapes can be strong enough to...
Chemical Agent Resistant Coating (CARC) is the organic topcoat used on the majority of the armed service’ combat vehicles, aircraft, ordinance and tactical equipment. Its unique formulation allows coated vehicles to be decontaminated in the event of exposure to chemical or biological warfare agents. It also has properties that make coated equipment less prone to infrared detection.
Applied as a wet spray, the process cures in relatively low temperature oven. Given that this coating i...
Powder coating is a dry finishing process that has become extremely popular since its introduction in North America in the 1960s. Representing over 15% of the total industrial finishing market, the global powder coatings market is expected to reach $16.55B by 2024. Applied as a substance which resembles baking flour in consistency, it is easy for the coating to end up in places it would not be wanted. With many different powder coating masking tapes available, it can be difficult to select the best option.
Polyester Tapes (PET) consist of a polyester carrier (the non-adhesive part of tape) and a silicone adhesive. Silicone is very resilient to extreme temperatures and therefore is used in high heat applications. The initial tack and ultimate adhesion of silicone is lower than acrylic and rubber adhesives and allows for clean removal after high heat processes. These tapes can withstand powder coating curing processes up to 425°F placing them in the class of high temperature masking tapes.
A large equipment manufacturer was struggling to trace masking issues through their paint line. They asked CFS if we would be able to produce kit die cuts with QR codes that could be scanned at each step in the paint process. With our new Domino printer installed on the Delta Modtech - this was not an issue!
For this die cut 3M 401+ Crepe tape was used. First step is to print the QR codes on the tape. Next, the tape runs though the rotary die where it is cut and laminated to the clear liner in one step then the liner is through cut to product sheets. The Delta has the ability to stack those individual sheeted die cut kits in pre-set quantities for easy and accurate packaging. ...
Q. We are having issues with plug loss and leakage during coating. Rework is expensive – how can we mitigate this?
A. Excellent question! There are many factors that influence plug loss or leakage. Here are some recommendations for avoiding plug loss, leakage and rework.
Use the correct plug size
Incorrect plug size selection issues are surprisingly common, especially when manufacturers only convey hole or thread sizes to the purchasing department. In immersion or heat cycles, building pressure can trap large air pockets. If you do not select plugs with this problem in mind, a “perfect fit” on paper may be the wrong choice, and a slightly overs...
Below is an excerpt from a featured article written for pfonline.com. Read the entire editorial HERE.
What differentiates CFS as a masking products supplier is the extent to which work with finishers on finding solutions to process problems. Masks generally fail due to inappropriate application, poor sizing or excessive wear. For these cases the solution is often simply finding a better standard product for the job. But there are other cases where solving a root masking problem requires developing a custom solution. In either case it...
Our customers love the convenience of having 24/7 access to their account at CFS. Orders can be placed when it's convenient for YOU and are processed within 1 business day. A Fast Track account is an extension of your in-house account. While you can certainly order online with CFS as a guest, getting set up with a Fast Track account has many advantages and it is FREE to our customers:
Order on Account – CFS customers that have terms may place their orders with us online using the same terms as if a PO was submitted with a representative directly.
View Negotiated Pricing – For our customers with deviated pricing, your Fast Track account will automatically have that linked online for all standard CFS products. Custom molded and die-cut parts can also be loaded to your private digital catalog of products for re-ordering along with any tiered/volume pricing.
Access Tax Exemptions – If your company has submitted exempt status for taxes, utilizing your Fast Track account allows you to place an order using that exemption.
Track Orders – When you log in, you can see tracking information for all orders in the past 12 months.
See Invoices and Payments – Within your Fast Track Account is your invoice history – view or print for your convenience! You also have visibility into payment history and current balances.
Set Up Favorites – By adding products to your Favorites list, you can re-order quickly and conveniently. You can also add any corresponding internal SKU numbers to each product in your account.
Basic Masking Membership – Now included in a Fast Track account is access to customized tools in our customer portal. Our cross-reference search will assist you in finding CFS parts that are equivalent to masking products from other manufacturers. The Masking Tool finder is an excellent resource to find the proper plug type and size for a specific application.
Getting set up is fast and easy. Any representative at CFS can assist you in coordinating account access – just give us a call or drop us an email. Additionally, our staff are available through chat during regular business hours and can walk you through the process if you want to do it yourself...
Q – We use silicone masking caps and plugs in our powder coating line. After a few uses the paint builds up and begins to flake off during the subsequent wash cycles, contaminating the finish. How can we clean these to get the most use out of them?
A – This is a common question we receive. The answer is not as straightforward as it may seem. Just because you can clean them, should you? Let’s explore this a bit.
First, we never recommend chemically stripping masking materials. Depending on the cleaning agent used, it could damage or alter the mask – potentially changing its fit and, ultimately, effectiveness. Additionally, we have...
With the explosive growth in Medical Wearables, clean room die cutting services are highly sought after. There are a some very large converters who handle the vast majority of the extreme volume products (like bandaids, anti-snore strips, etc). Few medical tape converters handle smaller volume runs. Long known as a converter with the capability to handle the toughest tape converting issues with short lead times , the addition of a clean room at CFS seemed like a natural extension of our capabilities. CFS received ISO 14644-1:2015 Class 7 Cleanroom certification of our 800+ sq. ft clean room in July...
