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11 Apr 2007  -  United States

RTP Company's EMI shielding compounds used in production of telemetry equipment

Apogee Labs, a leading provider of telemetry solutions, selected RTP Company as the material supplier for the outer case of their new portable testing instrument. This instrument, the AL6500, is used for testing bit error rates and data links on satellite displays and rocket launches. 

Because of this new product’s portability, its design had to be more compact and weigh less than its predecessors, which were constructed of metal. Therefore, for the first time, Apogee decided to design the outer case using a thermoplastic. In order to ensure electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) protection, this thermoplastic compound had to exhibit electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). It also had to be capable of providing high strength and impact resistance. 

“Molding this type of conductive, EMI shielding compound was a first for us,” said Kevin Crystal, Senior Quality Engineer at Protomold, the rapid injection molding company chosen to mold the instrument. “We have always had a good relationship with RTP Company and their excellent support is a known factor from our past programs. We knew the RTP advice would be appropriate.” 

RTP Company engineered an RTP 300 Series polycarbonate compound containing stainless steel fibers that provide protection against EMI/RFI, as well as give strong electrostatic dissipation performance. In addition, this compound exceeds needed impact
requirements and has a flammability rating of V-0, which meets the UL certification. Not only did the compound allow the AL6500 to be lightweight, the use of thermoplastic material gave the designers freedom to build in a much smaller footprint. This combination allowed Apogee to lower the cost to their telemetry customers, which is expected to take the test equipment from a small niche market to a much wider audience. 

“This has been a flagship product for us,” said Shane Woolridge, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Apogee Labs. “It has been extremely well received and our telemetry customers in the NASA, aerospace, and military markets are enthusiastic about it, ordering high volumes. Now, because of its lower cost and portability, we may be able to take it to the mainstream communication market.”

Source : RTP Company