Appliance Design - September 2008 - (Page 44) DECORATION Bayer’s Metallic FG Makrofol film can give a product a chrome appearance. plastic part and a ferrous part were used, they would look different, and the designer would have to build that into the design. Previously, designers had to use “distinct lines” to separate ferrous and non-ferrous parts, but with this technology no distinct break lines are needed. Two companies that are offering this technology in an effort to mimic chrome are Goodrich Technology of Pittsburg, Calif., and American Trim, Lima, Ohio. Goodrich, which was one of the earliest users of the process, coats its parts in 30 in. diameter physical vapor deposition batch chambers for a four layer, multi-step process. Goodrich coats parts for its customers, but is looking to license its technology to other manufacturers. Patrick Colahan, vice president of Goodrich, says that a wide variety of substrates can be used including aluminum, bronze, brass, steel, and magnesium. American Trim uses a PVD chamber that measures 6 ft. in diameter and 12 ft. in length. The chamber is the centerpiece of the Advanced Materials Commercialization Center developed in partnership with the James A. Rhodes State College, also of Lima. The facility is designed to attract development programs for PVD production and can supply sample parts and prove out the technology to interested OEMs. The facility operates at a throughput rate of about 1 to 10 percent of what actual production is estimated to be, says Steve Hatkevich, director of research and development for American Trim. The low throughput rate is the result of the need to build flexibility into the line to allow the simulation of PVD coatings of a variety of parts, large and small, in various complex shapes. Unlike the electroplating process that ·8 &10 Amp Switching · Dielectric strength 3000/4000 Vrms ·Single and dual coil latching versions available ·Epoxy sealed version available LATCHING & HIGH INRUSH RELAYS AZ880/881 colors • textures special effects functionality color consulting & technical service 2nd generation bonded metallics large or small volumes custom colors, fast global partnership ·16 Amp switching ·High inrush version available (80 A) ·Dielectric strength 5000 Vrms ·Class B (130°C) standard ·Class F (155°C) versions available ·Low cost Also available our Miniature High Power Relays AZ762F & AZ762H. AZ762 www.azettler.com AMERICAN ZETTLER, INC. 75 Columbia, Aliso Viejo California 92656 Phone: 949-831-5000 · Fax: 949-831-8642 For product Information log on to …any questions? colorworksforyou AD08084Tige.indd 1 www.azettler.com www.tiger-coatings.com 800.243.8148 www.applianceDESIGN.com AM 7/14/08 11:08:51 44 applianceDESIGN September 2008 http://www.tiger-coatings.com http://www.azettler.com http://www.azettler.com http://www.tiger-coatings.com http://www.appliancedesign.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.