1. First, when designing a part, be mindful of the dimensions. Allow enough clearance to avoid damaging the substrate, while simultaneously shutting-off on the substrate to prevent overflow of material onto unwanted areas.  This can be something of a delicate balance and will likely be different, based on part geometry and material used.

2. Secondly, when over-molding onto electronics, be mindful of temperature restrictions.  For some electronic devices, there are components that have a lower operating temperature range than what is ideal for silicone over-molding (125°C – 175°C).  Typically, this is true of battery's capacitors.  The normal operating range for most capacitors is -30°C to 125°C with nominal voltage ratings for a working temperature to be no greater than 70°C for plastic capacitors.  If possible, it is best to avoid these components when over-molding electronics with LSR.

3. The last secret to over-molding electronics is surface compatibility to improve adhesion to the substrate.  When two materials are chemically dissimilar, certain options are available to improve bonding:

• It is always important to make sure that the substrate is clean prior to molding.
• Mechanical surface preparation; such as roughening via sanding and grit-blasting, can produce good adhesion.  For further improved bond strength creating undercuts or thru-holes in the substrate.
• Chemical surface preparation; such as primers or other adhesion promoters, can be purchased with the suppliers of the liquid silicone such as Shin-Etsu and Wacker Silicones. 
• Another type of surface modification process is applying plasma to change the surface tendencies of polymer.  Plasma is compressed energized gas that is applied onto the polymer molecules to break up some of the bonds.  When some of the molecules are broken apart, the surface of the material will create available binding sites.  Atoms from the silicone material are then allowed to come in and fill up these binding sites.
• Corona discharge works very similarly to plasma treatment, but differs in that it uses an electrical arc to free up the bonding sights instead of gas and flame.  Due to this corona treatment is also an effective means to improve adhesion with metallic substrates.

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To learn more about how the food bags are used by astronauts in outer space, check out Google’s “How do you live in space” video, below.

Camp Google Space Week – Explore with NASA

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PRESS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albright Technologies Announces Organizational Restructuring

Leominster, Massachusetts – April 10, 2014: Albright Technologies, a leading provider of silicone prototyping and low-volume production molding solutions, announced today a restructuring of its organization following a comprehensive evaluation of its workforce. The restructuring will pose the company to be better suited to the needs of the current silicone molding market.

The organizational changes include adding two new positions, a Director of Operations and a Director of Sales & Marketing. Matthew Bont has been promoted from Quality Manager and Senior Project Engineer positions to Director of Operations. Mr. Bont has been with Albright for seven years and has a strong understanding of the silicone market, which he will be able to utilize to enhance the business. “Promoting Matthew Bont to Director of Operations will enhance our business in terms of production scheduling, implementation of new technologies, and the creation of new procedures and policies for day to day operations,” said David Comeau, President and Founder of Albright Technologies.

Ryan Taylor has been promoted from Business Development Specialist to Director of Sales & Marketing. “Ryan’s years of field sales, sales management and internet marketing experience at his previous employ make him an excellent choice to be our Director of Sales & Marketing,” stated David Comeau.

David Comeau has come out of retirement to lead the organization. Although David enjoyed retirement, he focused on developing a clear path forward for Albright and formulated a strategy of continuous and aggressive growth. “I’m pleased to be back at Albright, I have many ideas to enhance our business, and a great team to implement them,” said David Comeau.

To learn more about Albright Technologies, Inc. please visit http://www.albright1.com.

About Albright Technologies, Inc.

Albright Technologies is a global leader in manufacturing prototype and low volume production silicone components for Medical, Pharmaceutical, Aerospace, Military, Industrial and Consumer applications. Albright Technologies has extensive silicone molding experience and can provide silicone material selection, prototyping and design for manufacturability with scalable molding methods. The company is ISO 13485 certified and molds components for medical applications in its ISO 7 hard-walled clean room.

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PRESS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albright Technologies Launches New Website

Leominster, MA – March 13^th, 2015: Albright Technologies is pleased to announce the launch of its new website Albright1.com. The website was designed utilizing the latest WordPress technology to create a site that is compatible with today’s popular browsers and mobile devices to enhance the users experience through streamlined content, videos and photographs and refined menu options. In addition, visitors can select social media links to share content. Albright1.com will provide visitors with extensive product and service information regarding the company’s silicone prototyping and low-volume production molding solutions.

“The launch of our new website will enhance our visitors’ user experience,” said Ryan Taylor, Sales & Marketing Manager at Albright. “We anticipate that our web visitors will rapidly find the content that they require with our new site,” he added. David Comeau, President, noted that Albright needed a revised and up-to-date website as early as 2014. Mr. Comeau stated, “Our latest rendition of the Albright1.com site offers the latest developments in web design technology.” “These developments are something all of our Albright1.com visitors can benefit from,” he added.

To learn more about Albright Technologies, Inc. please visit http://www.albright1.com.

About Albright Technologies, Inc.

Albright Technologies is a global leader in manufacturing prototype and low volume production silicone components for Medical, Pharmaceutical, Aerospace, Military, Industrial and Consumer applications. Albright Technologies has extensive silicone molding experience and can provide silicone material selection, prototyping and design for manufacturability with scalable molding methods. The company is ISO 13485 certified and molds components for medical applications in its ISO 7 hard-walled clean room.

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The exhibition hall schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015                  10 AM to 4 PM

Thursday, May 7th, 2015                     10 AM to 4 PM

Albright will be exhibiting our silicone prototyping and production molding solutions to attendees in Booth 700, located near the entrance from registration.  We are currently offering free passes to our partners in the industry. Save $75.00 dollars on registration, visit BIOMEDboston/Badge and use the source code, AA.

We look forward to seeing you in Beautiful Boston next month. Stop by Booth 700 for a visit and learn about the latest at Albright Technologies and the medical silicone industry!

BIOMEDboston/Badge

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