Precise, selective abrasion coating advantages
As a result of the time savings that manufacturers realize using Vuecoat in place of other abrasion-coating processes, part supply chains involve fewer hands-on procedures that can increase human
error and product fallouts.
The process also makes it possible for manufacturers to overcome many design challenges. For example, it allows for only a select area on a component to be exposed for abrasion coating, rather than the entire component, with no masking required. The flexibility and precision Vuecoat helps manufacturers achieve allows for the creation of products with coatings that are integrated from different materials into a single part prior to the coating process. An example of such a device might include a two- or three-shot handheld surgical tool with a clear window; a rigid, opaque frame; and a gripping surface made of soft elastomer.
Part designs for snap and assembly features have also been a great engineering challenge when considering coating processes. Typically, such assemblies must be designed around special coating requirements, and snap-feature designs must be tweaked with coating thicknesses in mind. The Vuecoat process eliminates these steps -- keeping all assembly features clean and free of any coating, without the use of masks.
Unlike other abrasion-coating processes, Vuecoat gives manufacturers precise control over location, thickness, and shape of abrasion coating.
Fewer manufacturing steps reduces costs
Manufacturers find the Vuecoat process requires lower overhead to run. It decreases typical fallout on coating processes and allows for rapid changeover. Non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs and material costs are also reduced using Vuecoat, which reduces costs by requiring much less coating material to operate. Ultimately, the elimination of masking-related steps in the abrasion-coating process helps manufacturers achieve speed to market, as well as the competitive edge, with high-quality products that contain precise, selective abrasion coating.
Utilizing ink-jet technology to avoid masking and the other pitfalls of the more common coating technologies is great. Having designed several polycarb product display lenses I would have liked to use this process, the article does not mention if the current process can only handle flat parts. Since it is ink-jet I guess this is the case. Perhaps the next step will be 3d spray head applications.
This is a fascinating process. Are there any process characteristics available for it? Basically, what are the cycle times for a part , and is it based on part size?
Sounds like a promising abrasion coating process, particularly in that it can minimize design and manufacturing efforts via its ability to selectively coat specific components or areas. Could you provide any examples of current products that employ Vuecoat?
By experimenting with the photovoltaic reaction in solar cells, researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough in energy efficiency that significantly pushes the boundaries of current commercial cells on the market.
In a world that's going green, industrial operations have a problem: Their processes involve materials that are potentially toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive. If improperly managed, this can precipitate dangerous health and environmental consequences.
With LEDs dropping in price virtually every year, automakers have begun employing them, not only on luxury vehicles, but on entry-level models, as well.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 4
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
3 
