THE THIRD EDITION OF PUMANEWS |
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The Insulectro team is an amazing resource for us and we appreciate your quick , responsive and deep technical knowledge. I wish our other vendors were this responsive. Thanks again for your time today guys, we really like doing business with Insulectro |
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Morgan Hite
Regional Sales Manager
Cirexx International
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- US Partnership for Assured Electronics announces Insulectro
- Insulectro PE Pursues Adjacent Markets
- DuPont Launches New Kapton® Polyimide Film
- Try "The Clutch" from Pacothane
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Focus Tech ME-550! Short-Supply OXONE® Replacement
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SALES & PRODUCT MANAGEMENT |
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Ken Parent Speaks Out!
"Flag is raised. . . Flag falls! And they're off!"
Go PumaFast 2021!"
JANUARY 2021
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The New Year is off and running at an incredible pace. I am impressed with how our customers, suppliers and OEMs are engaging with each other right out of the gates in 2021. Business is at a feverish pace with customers needing materials fast for their quick turn needs. Delivering materials fast continues to be a common demand. Our 2021 investments will continue to support the focus on taking minutes, hours, and days out of the time it takes to deliver materials to your dock.
Our suppliers are engaging with Insulectro to support our customers with ways to better service you with new products and the services. The desire to be learning and educating is very healthy, our OEM Virtual Meetings and our customer focused webinars continue to be in high demand. Please continue to talk to us where you believe we can better support you. Let's go the distance.
I am pleased with how our team at Insulectro has stepped up early to embrace our aggressive goals to support you with more value-added products and processes. Our Operations, Materials, and Information Technology teams have stepped up to support the Sales and Product Management teams for our customers and suppliers with faster deliveries to our customers. We are also looking to add critical new hires to support our very optimistic outlook for the PCB and PE business as we hit our stride.
Insulectro is engaging in trade associations to support the business. I am pleased to be involved with the United States Partnership for Assured Electronics (ASPAE) as you can read about here in the article written by Chris Peters, their Executive Director. You can find more details here https://www.uspae.org . Our investment continues in Design Education through direct contact with PCB Fabricators and OEM Design Teams and the many design engineers through the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) https://pce-a.org. We are pleased to sponsor these associations as they are a great investment in the future of the North American market.
Thank you for your trust in 2020 and building an even stronger business together in 2021. We want to be your odds on favorite.
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Ken Parent
VP of Sales & Product Management
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Insulectro Joins USPAE!
Chris Peters
Executive Director
U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics
Washington, DC 20004
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The U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) is pleased to welcome Insulectro as its newest member! The company’s level of knowledge and passion for our industry bring tremendous value to the organization.
USPAE helps ensure the U.S. government (USG) has access to resilient and trusted electronics supply chains. An independent industry association, USPAE strengthens interactions between the USG and leaders in the electronics industry and academia. It facilitates collaboration on electronics innovations, helps solve government challenges, and accelerates the adoption of new technologies.
There is great opportunity for the domestic electronics industry these days, but there are many hurdles to clear as well. This is particularly true for companies doing business with the Department of Defense (DoD), which can often be a challenge. New regulations and requirements are adding costs and time to an already arduous process.
USPAE is working to facilitate government-to-industry interaction and advocating for ways to simplify the process. The organization is awaiting word on a contract that would make it easier for small- to medium-sized manufacturers and non-traditional suppliers to support the DoD. Most importantly, USPAE is working to strengthen efforts that will help the U.S. electronics industry become more globally competitive so that it can better serve domestic needs.
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PRINTED ELECTRONICS INKS & PASTES,
SUBSTRATES & FILMS
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Exploring Adjacent Markets
Insulectro Printed Electronics
Goes Outside the Box
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After working 25 years in the Printed Circuit Board industry, I began managing the Printed Electronics Business. It soon became quite apparent how many markets this additive technology serves.
The main difference was the PE manufacturing is an additive process versus the PCB process being subtractive. We initially focused on the membrane switch market which is a functional low-cost flexible conductor with connectors mainly found in appliances, white goods and box builds but as we worked closer with our suppliers this was just an intro to the many markets available for Insulectro to serve and support.
We set out on being a one-stop-shop to this initial Membrane Switch market by supplying the silver conductive inks, dielectric inks, carbon inks, PET substrates, PSA, screening products, etc. We took a similar strategy utilized in the growth of the Printed Circuit Board business where we supplied “Best in Class Products” with technical support with speed of delivery and our business grew.
At the same time, we were being asked by our customers and suppliers to support other products. We quickly added Advanced Substrate products like PTFE, FEP, PFA ETFE substrates, Polyimide films, Fired-On inks, Wearable inks, Ceramic substrates, PVF substrates, PET Release liners and the list goes on and our markets expanded.
So, the markets we serve in the Printed Electronics group includes the following and keeps on growing as we develop and find other adjacent markets for our product offerings:
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Membrane Switch: (Silver ink, Dielectric, PSA & PET) |
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Heaters: (Silver Inks, Carbon & PET) |
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Medical: (Silver ink, Dielectric, ETFE & PET) |
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Signage & Graphics (Tedlar®) |
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Fired-On: (High Temp Inks & Ceramic substrates) |
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Apparel: (PET release liners, TPU, & Wearable inks) |
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Fuel Cells (Kapton® & FEP) |
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Gas Bag Markets: (Tedlar® & Kapton®) |
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Architectural protection: (Tedlar®) |
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Supporting these adjacent markets and our teams technical knowledge allows us to better serve our customers in selecting the right advanced substrate to support various markets. Our in-house custom fabrication capabilities which provide our customer base with custom rewind, slitting, tooling & converting to each customer needs and requirements differentiate us from the competition. We offer supply chain programs for immediate delivery which can include same day shipments.
The Printed Electronics team is committed to provide a high level of the customer service, quick response and technical help to support and service all your needs. Please call us to test the commitment or visit Printed Electronics E-commerce site Insulectro-pe.com!
Kevin Miller
Vice President of Sales, Printed Electronics
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Insulectro PumaNews™ will write, curate, and publish provocative articles on innovation, vision, and thought leadership in our industry spotlighting people who make a difference. |
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Current & Challenged
Jenny Inocencio
Senior Global JSL Manager
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Jenny Inocencio is the Senior Global JSL Manager at Isola located in Chandler, Arizona. During her 13 years with the company, she has worked in various positions throughout the lab, learning the ins and outs of laminates and PCBs.
Jenny is responsible for directing and overseeing testing for product development, process validation, material improvement, raw material assessment and PCB qualification testing for both legacy and new products in Isola’s global lab network located in Chandler Arizona, Singapore and Duren Germany.
After spending over a decade in the Analytical Service Lab, Jenny knows what it takes to ensure continuity while driving efficiency and best practices throughout Isola’s labs. Jenny is a knowledgeable and respected leader of a well-trained and dedicated team of analytical experts that perform analysis critical to bringing new products to market, resolving tough industry problems and root cause analysis to help Isola’s customers solve tough problems.
Jenny says; “One of the greatest accomplishments in my career at Isola is the successful redesign and relocation the new Johann Schumacher Analytical Services Lab in Chandler.”
With her guidance, the beautiful new lab design has a larger footprint and a refined and optimized work flow with dedicated space for each testing process. Additionally, Jenny structured the lab with future growth in mind with flexibility built-in to accommodate the increasing multiplicity in the PCB industry.
Jenny received her education at Grand Canyon University with a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Leadership. She also holds a Bachelor degree in Chemistry from the University of Wyoming. Jenny enjoys creating and participating in fundraising events to help her local community.
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New Kapton® Polyimide Film
Impact of Higher Switching Frequency & Faster Voltage Rise on Motor Insulation
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A recently completed research study conducted by a key customer shows that a new Kapton® polyimide film—when used to insulate the conductors found in high-performance traction motors for the e-mobility market—provides an eight-fold improvement over standard polyimide films for insulating the conductors.
This new product, Kapton® ECRC, is part of the new corona-resistant wire insulation offerings from the Interconnect Solutions (ICS) business, part of Electronics & Imaging.
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Yesterday's OEM FORUM offered great insight to flexible circuits - both from an OEM and Fabricator point-of-view.
Click below to watch recorded session.
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Coming Up in February! Our next OEM Forum will focus on Copper Foil Technology! Info to follow. |
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It's Not Too Late!
Past OEM FORUMS Available for Viewing
You probably know by now our one-hour OEM FORUMS have garnered rave reviews and great attendance. Have you missed one and want to catch up?
All five OEM FORUMs from our library are available by clicking on the box below to view our complete library on VIMEO.
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As a Replacement
PACO•CLUTCH - for the Lamination of Flexible & Multilayer Circuit Boards
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PACOTHANE TECHNOLOGIES® and INSULECTRO – don’t work with those who follow – join those who lead!
PACOTHANE TECHNOLOGIES® Proudly Produced in the USA with American Labor and American Materials!
And, don't forget, recently published Pacothane® Product Sample Guide available. Contact me for details.
Joe Bevan
Product Manager, Pacothane
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@Mike Creeden
Stackup Design: A Balanced Approach
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Balanced Copper &
Blanced Construction
Copper is balanced on the two layers of a core, with equal amounts of copper circuitry and thickness, making for consistent copper etch and plate processes. The overall construction should be balanced from the center of the bare board going out.
Everything that occurs in one direction should have an equal occurrence in the other direction for every aspect of material types and thicknesses. The balanced copper on every core should occur in design by using a GND plane with signals and PWR net back-fill. This will equalize the amount of copper.
If the fabricator has to accomplish this, it will be adding metal with no net connectivity and this will cause signal integrity issues.
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The balanced construction is enhanced by utilizing similar materials, not dis-similar materials such as PTFE, on outer layers of boards containing RF/microwave technology along with epoxy/PPE/PPO laminates on other layers in the stackup. Those days should be over as new PPE/PPO materials meet the same performance metrics and far exceed PTFE on many perspectives. These PPE/PPO materials can be used throughout the entire stackup.
Standard materials should be utilized and specified, whenever possible. Utilization of standard materials is best facilitated by working with your fabricator as they know best what processes well, are in stock, and will meet performance metrics that you communicate.
The goal is to solve this stackup considering the needs of the routing density, the signal integrity, and the manufacturing requirements.
With our Design Education Program, we are eager to support signal-integrity reviews of design circuits prior to fabrication. Also, we are ready and eager to create one or several training sessions for the OEM or your fabrication team. These will be tailored to meet the exact needs of the audience, brought by a technically appropriate presenter, with specific content to further your team’s success and provide that edge to meet the needs of advancing technology trends.
Contact any of our Technical Account Managers or call any of our branch offices to schedule your Virtual Training Session soon.
Stay safe, happy and healthy!
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A balanced approach will accomplish what was once thought unachievable. |
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Mike Creeden CID+ MIT
Technical Director, Insulectro Design & Education
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I am excited to welcome the ACS team to our family. Scott Campbell, who will remain President, has been a respected leader in chemical process controls for over 30 years.
As Scott says it, ‘Great teams have great Chemistry.’ This acquisition provides a platform for growth in specialty chemicals and demonstrates our long-term commitment to PCB imaging.
We are passionate about helping our customers build better boards faster.
Patrick Redfern
President & CEO
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Jeff Mason's Far-Sighted
If It's Broken, Automate it!
January 2021
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Automation has become almost a buzz word.
Here at Insulectro it has a specific meaning that is truly scaled to our suppliers, operations, customers, and general performance of getting our customers what they need, when they need it. This translates into everything from supplier reliability, sales data availability and performance, forecasting of customer needs, order entry, operational speed and efficiency, and logistics.
I have a general mantra when looking at process improvement, no matter what it is. WWAD? (What would Amazon Do?). We have studied and toured many automated facilities (including Amazon), to study best practices and if it is applicable to our business and customer needs. For instance, automated picking robots do not make sense for our business, but delivery robots, transporting material within the distribution center does.
I have already talked about some of the process automation we are doing this year, but automation is more than that. Last year we had a major initiative to automate the order entry process for those customers using our electronic order communication system. This innovation automatically checks material availability throughout our warehouses and makes the decision on how best to meet the customer request. The order can then automatically be, confirmed to the customer and released to the floor for processing.
If it can’t fulfill the order, it is sent to the ISM for review and intervention. This was launched successfully in December for those customers with electronic ordering. We are adding Capacity Planning to that automation in the coming months.
This year the initiative I am excited about is processing automation of the centers. This project will allow our distribution center teammates to do most transactions with wrist mounted scanners for picking and processing orders without having to rely on going back to a computer terminal to complete many of the transactions.
Pallets will be picked in the order necessary for final packaging based on customer requirements. In addition, we are planning to include Quality verification of critical specifications like copper weight, size, expiration date, etc. Looking forward to a very busy and exciting year! Automation in every sense will be our ‘New Normal’.
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Please follow us on our Insulectro Linkedin page (click here) for additional details and updates about the upgrades and progress.
Jeff Mason
Vice President of Operations
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Reduce Lamination Time by Pasting
Ormet® Introduces New TLP Sintering Paste
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XDAP-491-1
This is a new lead-free assembly paste for semiconductor packaging and assembly. This is a good replacement to gold and lead based solders as well as silver sintering materials.
Highlights:
- Lead-Free and lead-free processable.
- Formulated for attachment of metalized die to metalized substrates.
- High thermal stability beyond 350°C after sintering. Will also withstand subsequent reflow temperatures above 260°C without re-melting
- Standard SMT compatibility for high throughput.
And don't forget to check out our Ormet® Quick Start Guide
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DOWNLOAD AN ORMET® QUICK START GUIDE USING LINK BELOW
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Jeff Johnson
Product Manager
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Early 2021!
Outstanding Kemmer Drill Line
Poised to Roll Out
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As recently announced, Insulectro is now the North American distributor for Kemmer Praezision GmbH. The Insulectro team is pleased to have received outstanding performance feedback on both quality and tool life with the solid carbide Kemmer router and endmill lines.
Our router inventory consists of both Chipbreaker and Diamond cut tools with both Fishtail and Drill Point end styles. Our Endmill offerings will be in single and two flute.
The rollout of the Kemmer drill line will be in early 2021. For additional product offerings please contact your Insulectro representative.
Geraldine Arseneau
Product Manager - Drill & Business Development - Canada
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Chris Hunrath on Future Tech
Maybe not new but. . .
Increased Demand for
Hybrid Constructions
January 2021
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Hybrid constructions are what we in the PCB industry call mixed material stack-ups.
Some examples include low loss PTFE based RF materials and FR4.
This is done for a variety of reasons. There may be some performance benefits, but often other reasons include process limitations, lower material costs and material availability.
Like other topics covered in this forum, Hybrid Constructions are not new. That said, we are seeing an increasing demand as devices with mixed functionality become more common place.
As mentioned above, a common application is a PCB with RF and digital circuitry. Since the RF features are often on the surface, designing a stack-up with the RF material on one or both surfaces is straight forward. Another classic example is rigid-flex PCB’s.
In more complex designs, the ultra-low loss RF material may not have all the construction options multilayer materials commonly have. Managing circuit density while controlling impedance with limited options can be challenging thus driving the need for different material types.
For the PCB fabricator, there is a need to consider both the material and process compatibility. Even if the stack-up uses conventional FR4 cores and prepregs with the RF core (cap construction) on the surface, will it bond sufficiently for defect free assembly?
Other examples of Hybrids or mixed material stack-up include paste interconnect (Ormet®) bond layers, embedded capacitance, CTE stabilizers, pad crater resistance, etc.
Beyond the design, lamination, drilling and plating compatibility are important. Whether you are an OEM, designer or fabricator, smooth processing is important if you want reliable parts on time.
Here are some things to consider with mixed material packages;
- Don’t limit the stack-up to FR4 and PTFE. There are many options now to balance cost with RF performance. That could mean using a higher performing material throughout the stack-up or using a mid-loss material on the inside and an ultra-low loss material on the surface(s).
- Consult the material supplier for material processing and behavior when cured/bonded to avoid unpleasant surprises. Some materials have different cure requirements, different CTE’s, etc.
- Film based materials often follow the dimensional changes of the adjacent glass reinforced materials. This is especially true for embedded capacitance materials with thinner coppers.
- Don’t forget that some materials have different copper bond treatment requirements (alternative oxide, NEAP, etc.). This is very important on power and ground planes.
- Lastly, don’t overlook thicker copper plane fill requirements. This can be very challenging for some ultra-low loss resin systems. Sometimes these features require a “pre-fill” step.
I think we will see Hybrid PCB applications continue to grow. They can blend desirable properties from different materials, solve fabrication limitations and even lower material costs. Let us know if you need material options or design help to bring your project to the finish line.
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Stay sane, safe and see you (someday) soon.
Chris Hunrath
Vice President of Technology
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Stop Bingeing on NETFLIX:
Feast on Our Virtual Power Chats, Training Sessions, & Product Education
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With in-person meetings nearly impossible, Insulectro has turned to virtual meetings, webinars, parking lot drop-offs to keep in touch. There's no doubt these are trying and uncertain times, but what we're finding is customers are welcoming the time to become more knowledgeable about products, their applications, and potential new markets.
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Here is a listing of Power Chat Seminars we can do for your team, all online. . .
Pyralux® Product Line Overview
Geoffrey Leeds, FLEX Product Manager
Laminate Manufacture and Selection
Norm Berry, Director of Laminates & OEM Marketing
Copper Foil Overview
Copper Foil for High Speed Digital
Joe Bevan, Product Manager - CAC®
High Speed Flex Materials
Geoffrey Leeds, FLEX Product Manager
Consider The Composite: HSD Material Attributes to
Mitigate Insertion Loss
Norm Berry, Director of Laminates & OEM Marketing
Design - Making Revision 1 Work
Michael Creeden, Technical Director, Insulectro Design Education
Material - the Science
Various Insulectro Subject Matter Experts
Material - the Process
Various Insulectro Subject Matter Experts
Material - Industry Application & Usage
Various Insulectro Subject Matter Experts
Design - Material Implementation (HDI, SI, High-Speed, RF)
Michael Creeden, Technical Director, Insulectro Design Education
Design - Advanced Placement and Routing
Michael Creeden, Technical Director, Insulectro Design Education
FocusTech Chemistry
Jeff Johnson, Product Manager - Dry Film/Chemistry/Paste & FAE
TADCO® Lamination Tooling
Joe Bevan, Product Manager - TADCO®
Drilling and Routing
Paul St. John, Director of National Sales LCOA
Geraldine Arseneau, Product Manager - Drill, Business Development - Canada
Getting Started with Flex PCBs
Chris Hunrath, VP of Technology
Get to Know SlickBack® and Bullseye®
Paul St. John, Director of National Sales LCOA
Geraldine Arseneau, Product Manager - Drill, Business Development - Canada
Pacothane® – Pad & Release Products
Pacothane® – Conformable Products
Pacothane® – High Temp Lamination Products
Joe Bevan, Product Manager - Pacothane®
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Design Education - An Insulectro Priority
Insulectro Sponsors New Design Trade Association
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Earlier this year in the midst of the all the issues going around us, a Phoenix-has-Risen out of the ashes of what was once the IPC Designer Council. The DC was dissolved in late 2019 by IPC. The legacy board members approached their thriving chapter membership and asked if they wanted to create a new trade association and the overwhelming answer was, “Yes!”
The Printed Circuit Engineering Association™ (PCEA) is an international network of engineers, designers, fabricators, assemblers, and anyone related to printed circuit development. Our mission is to promote printed circuit engineering as a profession by encouraging and facilitating the exchange of information and the integration of new design concepts through communications, seminars, and workshops. This is facilitated by a network of local, regional, virtual PCEA-affiliated chapters and the support of our sponsors.
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Insulectro is proud to join the family of sponsors supporting this trade association!
In January 2020 PCEA has established, trademarked and incorporated themselves as a non-profit 501c6 organization. They are off to a great start with an ever growing membership of over 1,000 members, with many chapters across North America and members overseas. During these days PCEA chapters are meeting virtually with good success. Several CAD companies and other firms have joined up to sponsor this new association. PCEA has formed a trade affiliation with several other organizations such as SMTA, EIPC, PCB-West and several trade publications.
If you are a professional serving in the printed circuit industry from any associated discipline, you are encouraged to join. Membership is free and you’re encouraged to be involved as we all seek to collaborate, educate and inspire one another. Visit the web-site at: www.pce-a.org
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Focus Tech ME-550
Try A OXONE® Microetch Replacement
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Due to low global supplies of OXONE® driven by pharmaceutical demand form Covid-19, the industry is looking into alternatives for micro-etch. ME-550 is a stabilized persulfate that offers superior etch rates, copper loading, and surface topography. Processing and compatibility are similar to OXONE® so this makes it a great drop in product for any process or equipment.
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Jeff Johnson
Product Manager - Dryfilm/Chemistry/Paste & FAE
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As advertised in i-Connect 007's PCB Magazine.
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Cupric Etch Controller
ETCHpro CC-4000
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Whether you’re getting a new Cupric Etch line or have old line with an old controller, Insulectro offers controller options to fit your needs.
Cupric etch is a critical process that requires tight controls for consistent etching and to eliminate any chlorine outgassing events.
Features:
- Tri Sensor System – (ORP, Conductivity, and Specific Gravity)
- Toroidal (non-contact) conductivity sensor
- Multi-junction ORP designSafety flow sensors to sense any unwanted flow from stuck open solenoids or siphoning from the day tank.
Jeff Johnson
Product Manager - Dryfilm/Chemistry/Paste & FAE
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Pyralux® HT is the premier adhesive when going above and beyond the current offerings of flexible adhesives. With an IPC service temperature of 225 C the High Temp nature of this product allows your flexible designs to operate in harsh thermally demanding environments.
HT also has the added benefit of being able to be used without the current practice of “Bikini-cut” coverlays. This can enable many high speed applications in rigid flex designs that need to send signals from one rigid section to the other while eliminated cable loss.
This is primarily due to the ability of the Pyralux® HT material to withstand the lamination cycle of many traditional epoxy resin systems and the low loss nature of the Pyrlaux® HT.
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Reach out today to see how we can help solve and upgrade your PCB’s technology today. |
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Geoffrey Leeds
Flex Product Manager
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Insulectro PumaNews will write, curate, and publish current provocative articles on the phenomenon of 5G and the impact it is expected to bring to the way we live our lives.
Automotive & Healthcare to Benefit from Evolving 5G Technologies
Originally published by EPTAC, a leading provider of solder training and IPC certification.
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With AI and IoT remaining primary drivers in technological innovation, it’s important to understand how 5G connectivity will amplify product demand and wireless capabilities. Limited not only to smart phones and homes, the increased bandwidth and enhanced data sharing capacity is enabling the development of transformative technology in a variety of industries.
What is 5G?
A term coined to describe the fifth generation of mobile communication networks, 5G has been deemed by many experts as the next wireless revolution. Not only will 5G technology feature faster data sharing speeds, reduced latency delays and overall increased connectivity, but it will also allow for augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) to become more commonplace and reliable, thus enabling many industries to enjoy the enhanced capabilities.
While the complete commercialization of 5G has yet to be realized, early adopters and market leaders have already begun rolling out game changing products in industries like healthcare and automotive. With experts projecting 5G's worth to grow from $2.6bn to $33.72bn between 2020-2026, more industries will seize the opportunity to expand their technological capabilities, meaning OEMs can anticipate a significant increase in demand for 5G-enabled communicative products.
Automotive
With each day, cars once deemed science fiction are becoming the cars of tomorrow. Where consumers once had to estimate curb proximity when parallel parking, their cars can now park themselves. With the help of 5G powered AI, AR, and IoT, today’s futuristic vehicles are more connected than ever. The increased bandwidth of 5G allows for more detailed 3D mapping and sensory data sharing in V2V (M2M) communications.
The power of 5G will only further the development of fully autonomous cars as communicative capabilities elevate V2V to V2X, or “vehicle to everything,” communication. This enhancement translates into more efficient traffic patterns, a reduction of harmful fossil fuel emissions, and above all, improved safety as vehicles become more aware of the surrounding environment. With 5G, the focus of automotive OEMs is now on the rider experience and designing features around the individual.
Healthcare
Like most industries, the healthcare sector is also projected to gain from the commercialization of 5G. Qualcomm's EVP of technology described 5G as an opportunity to use this network “as a reliable technology in hospitals,” and went on to say that it could enable the development of “highly reliable systems that medical professionals can depend on.” 5G’s data sharing abilities, coupled with IoT sensors, will allow for better monitoring of patients with chronic illnesses and improve overall treatments and diagnoses.
Many OEMs have already begun developing products to capture this growing market, producing wearable sensors that monitor UV intake and recommend health strategies based on internal readings and devices and apps that aid in rebuilding damaged lungs of cardiovascular patients.
After analyzing the projected impact of commercialized 5G across the automotive and healthcare industries, it is clear that there is an opportunity in many other sectors to capture the demand of 5G compatible, communicative products.
As companies look to adapt and improve their overall efficiency and technological capabilities, OEMs should ensure that they have the necessary training and knowledge to aid in creating the products of the future. Contact the knowledgeable professionals at EPTAC to receive IPC certifications in soldering and design and produce in accordance with industry standards today.
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Here's what we think. . . |
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The 5G World
by Mike Creeden CID+ MIT
Technical Director, Insulectro Design & Education
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5G Security
Insulectro as the distributor of DuPont, Isola laminates and substrates, as well as other vital fabrication products CAC®, LCOA®, Pacothane®, Ormet® and Focus Tech Chemistry, is heavily involved in this electronics’ industry enabling 5G infrastructure.
As we have looked at the 5G World, we have concluded that it has great potential to be a significant game changer to the way we live and work. We understand that it will be more than issues of our cell phone connectivity or our video streaming speed, it will have a much more far reaching effect by way of the Internet of Things (IoT).
There potentially will be smart connected devices everywhere we can think of and many we can’t imagine yet. This is not the part of this conversation where we start yelling, (Orwell or Terminator). This is the time to form a balanced understanding based on knowledge and preparedness. Your home already displays this IoT method with all the “smart” devices connected to your WIFI and router.
As you know, each device within an IoT network is a potential risk. As more devices are connected to one another, the smart IoT environment attack surface grows. Meaning, there are more targets for cybercriminals to attack and more points of entry to protect.
As these networks grow, it is essential that cybersecurity measures grow with them. 5G connectivity will not only be our personal connectedness, it will be the connectedness of machines and infrastructure located in homes, public, industrial, and commercial settings. Thus, there is significant value at stake and what is required is a significantly different tolerance for risk.
5G will bring a new era of network security with the introduction of enhanced IMSI encryption. All traffic data which is sent over 5G radio network is encrypted, integrity protected, and subject to mutual authentication, e.g. device to network.
Every U.S. cellphone has a SIM card, a small chip that stores the phone’s information for your provider. The SIM card contains a unique user identifier called an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), comprised of your country code, wireless provider code, and phone number. The IMSI is key to authenticating your device as it travels on the network.
5G networks will use a key embedded in the SIM card to encrypt your IMSI before it is sent to the network. The enhancements are based on what is termed as a, “Trust Model.” These will require significant authentications that may become biometrics.
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In the era of 5G, it's important that, as we conceptualize security on a system wide level where telecom networks are an important component, we adopt a strong understanding of the following:
- Increased value at stake and decreased risk tolerance
- Cyber-physical dependencies
- Security of standards, products, deployments and operations
- Proactive cybersecurity measures
- Vulnerability assessment and management
- Securing our supply chain domestically
What does 5G mean to us in the PCB world?
Because the innovation of 5G is on the near horizon, how we embrace it may have a significant impact on the destiny for us as individuals and companies in our industry. We have a choice on how we embrace adapting to innovation. As you think about these potential technologies, consider that each one of these innovations will require circuit boards from all industry sectors and this is our collective business.
In this column we will look at 5G technical challenges, solutions and applications. We hope to hear from you on some of the issues you’ve faced and successes you’ve had as we build, “The 5G World”.
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The People Behind the Puma
Meet Cheryl Woodbury
ISM - Printed Electronics
Londonderry NH
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BIO:
I’ve been in the PCB world off and on for many years. When my children were small, I worked for a company building test fixtures and testing PCBs in Nashua NH.
In the 90’s my husband was working for a company in NH and transferred to AZ. I was waiting on a position with my former company when Dynaco in Tempe AZ needed someone to fill in while their receptionist was on vacation. Before the vacation period ended, Dynaco offered me a permanent position. While there I worked in various roles; Customer Service, Purchasing and Production Control.
5 Years later saw us back on east coast working with a company doing PCB design and import from multiple off- shore factories.
Prior to working for Insulectro, I was with Vulcan Flex Circuit in Londonderry NH working as Customer Service and Purchasing.
I joined Insulectro in October 2015 and really feel like I’ve come home. We are treated as part of the family here. This is a job that I love doing and gives me a good balance between home and work life.
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Meet Cheryl Woodbury
Which of the following is more appealing than the others: a. analyzing data; b. creative problem solving; c. somebody just make a decision! And, why? Somebody just make a decision is my choice, preferably in a small group. I like the idea of team thinking and love to see the results when people come up with creative ideas together. No heros, no one left behind, contributions from all with a great end result.
When you had to bring something to “Show & Tell Day” at school, what did you bring and how did you describe it? I loved Show and Tell!! I did try to bring my cat to school when I was in the first grade, my mom caught that one. Anything goes for show and tell. My things, my brother’s things (I had three brothers), my moms. GI Joes, matchbox cars. Moms perfume. I’d describe playing in the sandpit with my brothers or zooming on the racetrack. Or, how nice my mom smelled (I did get in trouble that day!)
What were your best subjects in school? Your worst? Best subjects in school were math and science. Worst was probably history.
Tell us about a teacher or other role model that made a big difference in your life. Mr Zalinski, 8th grade Social Studies teacher. Taught us that it was our civic duty to be conscientious voters. We had mock elections in our classroom and had to know about local politicians. His influence taught me to pay attention and to be an informed voter.
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Any fad clothing you have worn in the past you’d wish we didn’t know about? Parachute pants, wow.
You’ve been asked to write the preface for the Owner’s Manual for Kevin Miller (Insulectro VP of Sales for Printed Electronics), what comes to mind for the first few sentences? When handling Kevin keep a calm head, be prepared to laugh hard and don’t let him scare you.
Describe what happened on your first day of work at Insulectro? Was there anyone you recall that made it easier for you that day? I had flown from the east coast (NH) where I live to Lake Forest CA for training. My first day at Insulectro was also my Birthday. Dave Klebba was my boss, he made it so easy to feel welcome. He took me around and introduced me to everyone we ran into.
What did you want to grow up and be when in junior high? I wanted to be a teacher from the time I was very young.
Describe what your perfect weekend looks like? Pre-Covid it was breakfast out on a Saturday morning with a friend or my husband. I LOVE shopping so that would be the next stop if with a friend. House cleaning because oddly enough, I find it therapeutic. Ideally spending time with my two adult children, son-in-law and beautiful grandsons. We play games, color, blow bubbles and make dinner.
Are you a book person, binge TV watcher, or amateur chef? I can be all these things, depending on my mood. Biggest is book person followed by amateur chef. TV is least fav.
What book have you read that made a lasting impression? Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn
What kind of food can’t you get enough of? Chinese food
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What car have you driven you are the most embarrassed to admit? This would likely be my first car, a 1971 Ford Pinto. My dad was a mechanic, so our cars were never “quite right”. He fixed up this little red car with the black hard top for me and gave it to me on my 16th Birthday. I was over the moon at first, MY OWN CAR. It didn’t even matter that I had to look through the steering wheel and not over it (I’m 5’2”). Things went downhill fast from there.
There was little to no heat in the car and we often had to scrape frost off the inside of the windows while driving to school (NH), always a good idea to have a passenger with you for a quick assist. Though the car was little we could get 4 people across the bench in the back seat and two of us in the front. Body heat was decent replacement for lack of mechanical heat!
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The car degraded quickly. More money was spent each week on oil than on gas. One of the bolts holding the drivers seat broke letting water splash in the car (there was a book frozen to the floor for much of the winter). Being small I was the only one that could now drive the car without being perched at an angle. One of the exhaust clamps came off at some point leaving it dangling - wire coat hangers did the trick (FYI – never try duct tape for this trick). The final straw on the poor ladybug car was hitting a pothole hard. Now, no right turns could be made in a speedy fashion, they all had to be done in 5 -point turns. My parents caught on to my new left turn way of life and took my car away, there was no saving her.
If you could trade places for a day with a movie star, celebrity, or entertainer, who you pick and why? Denzel Washington. I’ve always loved his movies, and, in every interview, I’ve read/seen about him he’s just such a great guy.
Name a time you were so embarrassed you just wanted to put your head down. I’m shy so there are a lot of these times. The biggest at Insulectro was the day I went to work, and someone pointed out I had two totally different dress shoes on.
How would your teammates describe you? I’m not sure about this. I hope they would say nice. Some would say pushy but in a nice way.
What are the three most exciting things you’ve discovered about printed electronics? How many amazing uses there are for these materials. What the future will be for printed electronics and how it will impact our lives. How PE has changed the design of so many PCB’s.
What would you say to a new hire at Insulectro to get them started properly? You’re going to love it here. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use the tools available.
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INSULECTRO'S COPPER & COPPER FOIL OFFERINGS |
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Copper complexity and clarification! |
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It can be confusing selecting copper foil for your application….
- Electrodeposited (ED), Wrought (Rolled) or a Carrier foil??
- Grade 1, Grade 3, Grade 8 copper??
- VLP surface roughness, or HVLP or VLP1??
- Shiny (RTF) or matte side treated foil
- Arsenic and zinc free copper??
We are here to help at Insulectro, guide you through the process and educate you on the nomenclatures associated with both trade and industry bodies.
Contact me today to schedule a training-session for yourself or a team!!
Some considerations to ponder when making your material selection:
ED
- Treatment on rough (matte / solution) side typically used for outer layer applications.
- Higher bond strength due to roughness
- Treatment on Reverse (drum / shiny) side used typically for multilayer core material applications.
- Cleaner etching of internal layers due to lower roughness and improved dry film adhesion due to rough surface on top side (shiny side towards core)
- Drawback is that as the foil thickness increases so does the dendrite topography
Wrought
- Rolling direction impacts trace lines, which influences signal performance.
- Large crystal grain and uniform crystal orientation suitable for flexible applications and offers vibration resistance.
- Consistent dendrite height throughout foil thickness range
- Alloy copper available, improved strength and thermal resistance.
- Drawback is that as the width, 26” <
Carrier Foil
- Arsenic and Zinc free VLP treatment
- Improved elongation - HDI flex
- Fine line application – mSAP
- Available from 1µm up to 5µm on a H carrier.
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For additional information, please contact me.
Mark Satchwell
Product Manager, Foils
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As the premier back up and entry supplier in the PCB industry, LCOA® has a wide range of products available. When looking for a product that complements your technology requirements, LCOA® has the most varied offerings such as our niche products BD10 for Back Drill and Conformat™ used to eliminate image transfer primarily on flex and rigid flex.
Our high-end SlickBack® and Bullseye® offerings, when used correctly will result in lowering your overall costs in the drill room. Our PolarBack™ melamine-based product has excellent and consistent hardness, thickness and flatness specifications.
These are just a few of our product offerings. Ask us for additional information on these, as well as our Phenolic and Aluminum lines.
We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your various back up and entry needs and determine which of our products best meet your needs.
Please call us to see how we can help you make better circuits!
Geraldine Arseneau
Insulectro Product Manager - Drill & Business Development - Canada
Paul St. John
LCOA Director of International Sales & Distribution
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Fine-tuning Operations
Is Trying to “Stretch” the Most Out of Your Consumables Hurting You?
Shurloc, IBC Brush and Equipment Service are being recognized by customers as key contributing factors in Insulectro helping them to increase their departments efficiencies in areas of their facility.
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Are you someone that is still washing dishes by hand and wish you had a dishwasher because you could be doing something else with your time?
Now, let’s look at conventional frame building versus a Shurloc EZ Frame.
What if your screening operator, or anyone for that matter, could build a frame in less than 10 minutes! What else could this person be utilizing this extra time for?
A conventional frame takes a “seasoned” builder approximately 45-60 minutes to build. Then, this frame needs to sit overnight and then be re-stretched to optimal tension the following day which uses up even more of this operator’s time.
Now, with the Shurloc EZ Frame and its one step process, a frame can be buillt in just 10 minutes and yes, anyone can do it! The frame is at optimal tension across the mesh panel, exactly at a 22.5 degree angle for LPI inks and ready to go into the machine if needed.
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IBC Brushes!
Please remember that a bad brush footprint on a test panel is usually not the brush itself!
When pumice brushes are assembled, there is a certain sequence that needs to be followed when installing the brush coil to the shaft. If this is not followed, then your initial footprint will be off no matter how new or old your machine is! This will also make all the difference in the life of the brush and most crucial….the topography left to the surface of the panel and how consistent it is.
IBC brush bristles have been cut to the longest length possible for various machines to get the most out of each brush.
In some cases, I’ve been told that the IBC brushes have to be pushed past the lower trough opening in their flex capable pumice scrubber….this is ok, it was made that way! Once its in place and installed, it will spin freely. This is not just for added life to the brush but also to carry as much pumice as possible to the surface of the panel.
If you’re having scrubbing issues with your machine, reach out and let us know so we can see how we can help!
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Remember that we can assist in your equipment needs through the following.
- Equipment Reviews and Audits
- Service and support
- Preventative Maintenance Programs
Also, do you have a used piece of equipment you’re looking to get installed? We may be able to assist here as well!
Ruben Zambrano
Field Application Engineer
Cell: 847-345-3759
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Please reach out should you like to discuss any of these topics further.
Thank you.
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Kevin Barrett,
Product Manager & TAM
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Today's Copper Foils
for Tomorrow’s Applications!
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Tailored to meet market trends such as compartment miniaturization, vehicle electrification and increased connectivity demands require improved characteristics of both wrought and ED foils.
Focus on wrought solutions such as:
- Low profile height (Rz) for signal integrity, as low as 0.4µm
- Consistent profile height across the web which does not change when ordering thicker foils
- Alloy foil with Increased tensile strengths which can exceed 700Mpa
- Grain structure in terms of large crystals and uniform orientation improves fatigue resistance and provides excellent vibration resistance.
- Thermal resistance to withstand hostile environments for automotive applications.
Wrought foils released to IPC 4562A in grade 5, grade 7 and grade 8.
Call us to find out more – we love to talk about this stuff!
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Give us a call to discuss how CAC can help you
make better circuits faster.
Mark Satchwell
Product Manager, Copper Foils
Joe Bevan
Product Manager, CAC
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The Undisputed Made-in-America Industry Leader
Pacothane® ThermoPads™
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THERMOPADS™ can be used in any high temperature lamination that requires the use of Exotic high Tg substrates. Whether you are using DuPont's Tk or your requirement is an LCP build, Thermopad with THERMOFILM™ offers the best conformable package with its robust attributes eliminating the uncertainty and negative impact of generic alternatives.
- Operating Temperatures up to 600°F (316°C) for extended press cycles
- Thickness is .044" (1.117mm)
- Predictable Control of Heat Rise excellent Thermal Conductivity due to Select uniform fiber distribution and controlled thickness and weight specifications of the Press Pad Design
- Uniform pressure throughout the pressure load
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Maintains flexibility and minimal brittleness when used with THERMOFILM™ to increase 3-Dimensional Conformance minimizing X-Y-Z axis stress on circuits
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The smooth surface of both THERMOFILM™ and THERMOPADS™ allows superior conformable properties against the differential surface of the circuit under high temperature conditions
PACOTHANE TECHNOLOGIES and INSULECTRO – don’t work with those who follow – join those who lead!
PACOTHANE TECHNOLOGIES Proudly Produced in the USA with American Labor and American Materials!
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Give us a call! We like to make your life easier!
Joe Bevan
Product Manager, Pacothane
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Hard to Process Metals?
Our Beck's Light Gauge Process Is What You're Looking For
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We enjoy processing metals that most shy away from.
Our specialties include:
- 0 temper aluminum for deep drawing
- One Side Bright aluminum for the auto or name plate industry
- Clad Heat Treated Aluminum for the aerospace industry
- Litho Sheet for the printing industry
- Bright Annealed and Polished Stainless for the appliance industry
- Soft Copper
- Coated Products (aluminum or steel)
- Titanium
In other words “Jewelry”. We are a white glove, hand stacking operation giving us the ability to inspect each sheet or piece.
We have been qualified by many top Stainless and Aluminum producing mills as well as a long list of metal distributors. Many of our customers have their own cut to length equipment. Generally for a wide range of gauges.
Because our leveler was built for light gauge, we can correct flatness issues other larger roll levelers cannot. Quite often we get used to free up our customer’s line time by running the lighter gauges or more difficult time consuming jobs.
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Call Matt to find out more about our Beck's process and all that CAC® has to offer. |
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Matt Swanson
General Manager, Toll Processing
CAC®, Inc.
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TADCO
OPE Post-Etch-Punch Hardware and Software Upgrade
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Technical Description:
Most of the hardware installed in Multiline control PC’s have become obsolete and replacements parts are no longer available. If one of these components fail, the machine will be down and cannot be repaired.
This Upgrade will completely replace the four main components of the machine:
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PC (Microsoft Windows 10™, four core processor, 8GB Memory, 120GBSSD
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Vision System (industrial high-res USB Cameras, Vision Software)
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Motion System (Microprocessor controlled Micro step driver)
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I/O Subsystem (The New Industry 4.0 Option)
Call us to learn more – Insulectro stocks a comprehensive line of TADCO accessories!
Joe Bevan
Product Manager, TADCO
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Everyday Materials You Need, On Our Shelves Every Day
Insulectro recognizes the importance of maintaining adequate inventory to begin work. Designers know when you need it, you need it. Using the link getpumafast.com, you can see what PumaFast™ and standard materials we stock to get you up and running.
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Covid-19 has not stopped our ACT! initiatives!
We have successfully collaborated on many ACT! opportunities.
We are delivering on Technology, Design and Education while you can bank on the sales results!
We are virtually taking our ACT!
to another level!
Insulectro and our partners are moving the chains to help our customers exceed performance goals. Our team of professional and technical resources are now offering our customers access to design and education services.
This is a Game Changer!
Our ACT! Initiatives combined with our design and education services provide our customers a total solutions package with a one-stop-shop option.
Our customers now have total access to not only our Insulectro foot print, best in class products, materials on the shelf when you need them; but also the expertise to deliver solutions from design to delivery…FAST!
Call me and to set up a VIRTUAL ACT! with your customer.
There's a reason I'm smiling.
Ron Murdock
ACT! Manager & Technical Account Manager
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To be the easiest company to do business with. . .
Insulectro has a program for continual improvement, all designed to make ourselves as user-friendly as possible to our customers, their customers, and our suppliers. Speed Matters, so we focus a lot of attention on getting you the materials you need as quickly as possible.
Our PumaFast™ Program lists current inventory of everyday materials you need every day.
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Best-in-Class Materials
from our Premier Suppliers
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