New line cleans up on potting operations

The acquisition of a new self-mixing self-measuring dispensing machine is enabling CT Production to improve the efficiency of its potting operations.

When working with processes using potentially messy and hazardous materials it is essential to have the right equipment and methods.

Many of the products manufactured in the UK these days tend to be for demanding applications where the product must be environmentally sealed, intrinsically safe or made secure.

These types of products are usually conformally coated or encapsulated in some form of resin or similar compound.

Potting compounds require a mixing stage, which can be a laborious process of manipulating plastic mixing bags in small enough quantities to dispense before the compound begins to solidify.

To overcome this problem and improve efficiency there are methods available to automate or semi-automate the process.

EMS provider CT Production has implemented one such method for some of the products it manufactures.

According to Managing Director, Alan Trevarton: "We manufacture electronic products for a wide range of industries ranging from low volume aerospace, through to higher volume leisure markets".

"We also carry out conformal coating and potting at both ends of this spectrum".

"As the requirements of our customers have increased, we have invested in appropriate processes to improve both control and cost".

"The latest acquisition is a self-mixing, self measuring machine for semi-automatic dispensing of potting compound from bulk material".

"It is cleaner, quicker and lower cost to run than a manual process".

"We are very pleased with the results".

"We also carry out conformal coating and have done so for many years, but are about to invest in an automatic conformal coating machine", adds Trevarton.

"Our customers' volumes are increasing to a point where a manual process spray room will soon be replaced by a fully automatic machine to revolutionise the process".

"Existing masking and follow-on 'touch up' stages will be eliminated due to the machine's programmability, accuracy and fine control".

"We have narrowed the choice to two machines and will decide shortly".

CT Production provides a wide range of electronics manufacturing services.

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