Plastic coating can be used for insulation and to provide a smooth surface finish. Automated inspection and defect detection supports quality control and a uniform coverage.
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This is a key process in the growing field of 3D printing and works by setting down material in layers to form the final product. Monitoring can confirm the correct surface condition.
As with any material, the die-cutting of plastic risks introducing surface defects or imperfections. An automated monitoring system will detect problems at an early stage, safeguarding quality levels.
Etching or engraving plastic relies on intentionally affecting the surface. To detect problems and imperfections, an intelligent classification system is required as part of automated monitoring.
Different types of plastic react differently to being folded. In many cases, it is essential to inspect the process to ensure surface imperfections are not introduced by the folding action.
This process is used to join one plastic to another (or itself) using heat and pressure. The integrity of this process can be ensured by accurate monitoring which will detect any defects.
Inflating plastics by the introduction of a gas typically puts a strain on the surfaces of the object. Any surface defects could lead to gas escaping, affecting the shape of the plastic.
Beyond production and manufacturing processes, it may be necessary to inspect plastics to ensure continued performance levels. Automated monitoring will detect any imperfections that may appear during normal operation.
Applying a metal surface to plastic is a high-precision process which can have performance and decorative benefits. Monitoring is required to ensure product quality.
Plastic laminates usually involve two or more layers of material held together by a polymer. A surface defect on one layer can have a detrimental impact on the final product.
Biaxial film orientation improves the overall strength, flexibility and toughness of plastic film. Often used for packaging, surface defects may adversely affect the freshness and environmental protection of a product.
Commonly used in photolithography, a photomask is an opaque plate with a transparent pattern that allows light to shine through. Surface defects can adversely affect this pattern.
Plastics can be difficult materials to print onto, so it is important to ensure a smooth, clean surface. Monitoring of the plastic before printing will safeguard against attempts to print onto imperfect surfaces.
An integral part of many plastics production lines, sheeters convert the plastic roll into sheets. Inspection at this point is essential to maintaining consistent surface quality.
This thin-film manufacturing process is used to make flexible plastic components. It is typically a layered process, so automated surface inspection is important to ensure quality of the final product.
This vapor deposition process is used to deposit thin films onto a substrate, for example in semiconductor manufacture or optical glass coating. Surface inspection is essential to monitoring product quality.
These dies are used in flat sheet extrusion to provide a constant cross-sectional profile of liquid polymer. Non-uniform flow can result in buckling or other defects.
The winder is used to create rolls of plastic film. Any surface imperfection can adversely impact the roll or cause web breaks, so monitoring is important to both quality and production efficiency.
This process involves two or more polymers being extruded together to provide a multilayer structure, with each plastic retaining its original properties. Monitoring ensures the correct layer structure is achieved.
A specialty process for high quality plastic film, calendaring applies heat and pressure to melted polymer, allowing customized surface treatments of the film; inspection systems can reinforce product quality.
Slitters cut the large plastic film rolls into narrower rolls, which can inadvertently cause tears and other imperfections to the film. Inspection of the process helps safeguard against a damaged product.