LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES UNVEILS AESTHETICALLY COLOURED FABRIC-OVER-FOAM SHIELDING GASKETS FOR ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Typically used in applications where the input/output connectors for video, audio or USBs are located in the front of the framework, the Aesthetically Coloured Fabric-Over-Foam shielding gaskets are made from a tinted polyester film material adhered to the foam core. Metallized fabric then bonds with the parallel edges of coloured polyester film material ensuring a contact path from the chassis to the component. The colour range for the tinted polyester film that is laminated to the fabric is almost limitless but the typical colours include blue, red, green and grey.

“Laird Technologies’ established leadership in EMI shielding allows us to provide the market with Aesthetically Coloured Fabric-Over-Foam shielding gaskets that offer customers equivalent mechanical and electrical properties as a fully wrapped gasket,” said Joe Chen, global product director, Laird Technologies. “This product camouflages gaskets that traditionally are visible on the outside of the chassis, creating a visually pleasing look for consumer gaming systems, home computer and entertainment equipment and medical apparatuses.”

According to Jim Feldhan, president, Semico Research, a semiconductor marketing and consulting research firm based in Phoenix, the consumer electronics that currently are driving market growth are: home networking, including wireless and storage, digital televisions, portable devices such as MP3s, cellular phones, cameras and satellite radios. Other products like media centres, game consoles and settop boxes also are pushing growth to a healthy double-digit range.

“The consumer electronics market is the fastest moving sector within the technology industry right now,“ Feldhan said. “End users crave quicker, smaller gadgets with more power, increased functionality and plenty of style. As a result, consumer electronic content in homes and businesses is on the rise as demand heats up.”

Laird Technologies continues to answer the call of the marketplace with its already field tested and proven, patent-pending Aesthetically Coloured Fabric-Over-Foam shielding gasket technology that was used to produce more than 10 million gaskets during 2005. Its easy-to-use design and low-compression forces also allow for use of lighter materials. Its available in a variety of sizes and custom die cuts. Prototypes, product and colour samples can be obtained upon request.