Printing stick-on heaters

Sept. 2, 2004
A patented process pioneered by engineers at Thermotrax Corp., Hackettstown, N.J., generates low-cost circuits as fast as one per second with high tolerance and no process waste.

A patented process pioneered by engineers at Thermotrax Corp., Hackettstown, N.J., generates low-cost circuits as fast as one per second with high tolerance and no process waste. They currently make resistive heaters for side-view mirrors on cars and trucks. The process, much of it borrowed from the printing and web-handling industry, uses no solvents or hazardous etching chemicals, so waste disposal is not a problem. The heaters offer high-watt densities and come with sides to simplify mounting and assembly. The process modified to create heaters with uniform or tailored heat distribution. It can also be used for much more than heaters, according to the manufacturer. They say it could make low-cost, precise flat-panel circuits with active and inactive regions for almost any application. The production technique turns out a laminated product with polymer layers for strength and circuit protection, metal foil (aluminum, tin, or copper) or other conductive layers to create circuits or electrically conductive paths, and adhesives as needed by the application. Dies for cutting and formatting the layers can be generated with CAD data running CNC machinery.

Sponsored Recommendations

NEW Low Profile, Ultra Compact Power Supplies

March 13, 2024
Learn more HERE about Altech's Power supplies!

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

All-In-One DC-UPS Power Solutions

March 13, 2024
Introducing the All-In-One DC-UPS, a versatile solution combining multiple functionalities in a single device. Serving as a power supply, battery charger, battery care module,...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!