Schreiner ProTech, a Germany-based global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative functional labels with value-added benefits for engineering-based industries, has developed a novel solution for bonding components commonly used in the automotive and electronics industries. Known as Folding Frame, the patent-pending solution provides a more efficient and effective alternative to conventional conjoining methods such as liquid gluing, bolting, soldering, riveting, single strips of adhesive tape or frames created from full-surface cutouts.
Across all industries, components made of diverse materials are bonded for purposes such as 
protection, sealing and enhanced aesthetic appeal. Connections must be longlasting and temperature-resistant, and conjoining diverse components requires utmost precision to ensure parts are accurately and neatly connected for ideal final product functionality. Adhesive frames created from full-surface cutouts are commonly used for this purpose, but can produce significant waste. The material is typically available only in single units or sheets, which can require expensive automated systems capable of placing and processing each unit individually. On the other hand, with manual processing the risk of faulty adhesive bonding is a factor.
By contrast, adhesive tape saves material but, during manual processing, usually leads to small gaps or overlaps in corners. As a result, the component connections are neither watertight nor dustproof. Liquid gluing is another method that can be used to connect complex geometries; however, the curing times of liquid adhesives slow down the assembly process, and their flow behavior usually prevents accurate and clean adhesive bonding.
With its foam-based adhesive tapes, Schreiner ProTech’s Folding Frame successfully meets industrial demands for fast-curing and clean adhesive solutions, and eliminates the complex cleaning requirements of liquid adhesives. Thanks to the matching Folding Frame System, it can be precisely positioned to ensure the component’s subsequent functionality. The Folding Frame Solution is suitable for semi-automatic or fully automated processing of roll-fed materials, which saves time and costs, and reduces the risk of defects that may occur in manual processes.
Due to the production of a foldable adhesive version instead of a frame created from a full-surface cutout, multiples can be achieved more efficiently and material consumption significantly reduced for sustainable, eco-conscious manufacturing. Self-adhesive conjoining solutions also support the lightweight design megatrend to replace bolted, riveted and soldered solutions. In addition to bonding and sealing, foam-based adhesive tapes make it possible to equalize uneven areas or height differences, as well as reduce noise.
Schreiner ProTech, together with the Schreiner Services Competence Center, offers customized system solutions. The product solution and matching processing system are supplied by a one-stop shop.
Schreiner ProTech’s U.S. facility, a business unit of Schreiner Group LP, is at 300 Corporate Drive, Suite 10, Blauvelt, NY 10913. For more information, call 845-848-9000, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.schreiner-protech.com
Filed Under: Screws • nuts • bolts • rivets