Flekpak: Electronics Packaging Selecting an Electronics Packaging Contractor

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Electronics Packaging Selecting an
Electronics Packaging Contractor
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Electronics Packaging

• For the purpose of this article, electronics
  packaging will refer to thermoformed,
  electrostatic discharge, protective electronic
  packaging.
• The most popular ESD packages include clamshells
  and trays for circuit boards, memory modules,
  hard drives and telecommunications devices. To
  protect your electronics products, you should
  select a packaging contractor with years of
  relevant experience.

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Electronics Packaging Terms

• Before beginning the discussion, its important
  to define a couple of terms
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• Thermoformed, or custom thermoforming, refers to
  the manufacturing process of heating and molding
  plastic materials into packaging solutions.
  Sample end products include containers, lids,
  trays, clamshells and blister packaging.
•  
• ESD means electrostatic discharge. ESD creates
  serious problems for electronics equipment,
  especially integrated circuits. The materials
  used in integrated circuits, like silicon and
  silicon dioxide, can be permanently damaged if
  hit with high voltage. Electronic packaging
  today includes anti-static capabilities to
  prevent static build-up and device damage.

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Electronics Packaging Terms

• Vital to safe transporting and storage of your
  electronic products, ESD packages are designed to
  provide maximum protection. Static can be caused
  by many things, including other devices, friction
  or the weather. Only the best ESD packaging can
  eliminate the risk of static damage.
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• Based on the definitions above, electronics
  packaging involves the plastic molded containers
  that incorporate ESD protection. The most
  popular packages include clamshells and trays for
  circuit boards, memory modules, hard drives and
  telecommunications devices.

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Electronics Packaging Contractors

• Why You Need an Experienced Electronics Packaging
  Contractor
• Because you can literally ruin your products
  with poor packaging, you need to work with a
  packaging manufacturing that specializes in
  thermoformed ESD protective electronic packaging.
  An experienced contractor will balance
  protection, cost and material reduction to arrive
  at a viable value proposition.
•  
• For example, your electronics packaging
  contractor should provide solutions, like
  clamshells and trays, to replace conventional
  packaging. Putting the electronic product in a
  bag, and then placing it in a cardboard box with
  foam inside, has become a cumbersome and less
  effective packaging solution.

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Electronics Packaging Contractors

• Because advanced thermoformed ESD packages use
  just one packaging part, theyre more economical.
  They also save time in the manufacturing and
  packaging process. And, they stack and store
  more conveniently. These attributes lead to real
  business benefits as the following
•  
• Reducing inventory costs
• Simplifying handling
• Decreasing damage
• Streamlining assembly time
• Enabling visual inspection and bar code scanning
• Providing physical protection and puncture
  resistance

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Packaging Design Technology

• Advances in technology can help produce better
  products in less time and at reduced costs.
  Evaluate your packaging design contractors
  facilities and production equipment.
• Do they use the latest technology throughout the
  design process? Do they keep abreast of industry
  changes and improvements in technology?

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Using Highest Quality Raw Materials

• After you evaluate a prospective contractors
  level of experience and expertise with
  electronics packaging, examine the materials used
  in production. Whether your packaging is for
  active or passive electronic devices, you want
  clamshells and trays made of the highest quality
  raw materials.
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• For example, consider packaging using EIA-541
  and MIL-B-81705C certified materials. These
  materials are available in either static
  dissipative, conductive styrene or clear
  anti-static PETG or PVC. When you combine
  strength and protection with certified static
  control properties, youll have the perfect
  electronic packaging material.

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Using Highest Quality Raw Materials

• Your first criterion when evaluating electronics
  packaging manufacturers should be experience.
  Nothing replaces an experienced contractor whos
  been manufacturing for many years the exact type
  of packaging you need. Operating a long time
  within the industry and having relevant client
  references provides the track record to ensure a
  successful project.
•  
• Your next criterion should be production
  processes and materials used. Combining high
  quality Electronics Packaging Contractor
  experience and the correct ESD material will
  result in an ESD package that will meet or exceed
  your package requirements and expectations.

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About the Author

• Jim Boley is VP of Business Development at
  Flexpak Corporation, a world-class supplier of
  custom thermoforming and packaging solutions
  since 1974. For more information about packaging
  design, please visit www.flexpakcorp.com today.