Emerging Flex Circuitry Technologies Offer Ultra-Thin Profile, Low Weight,
Reliability Needed for Next-Generation Automotive Electronics
COBO CENTER / DETROIT, BOOTH 3451, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheldahl, Inc.
(Nasdaq: SHEL), a world leader in high-density substrates for electronics use,
today unveiled a wide range of innovative flex circuitry technologies at the
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2001 World Congress. These technologies
are designed to solve some of the automotive industry's most critical
telematics design issues, including increasing safety and communication
abilities. Using Sheldahl's solutions, engineers can now bring Bluetooth
systems, satellite radios, GPS receivers, radio frequency identification
(RFID) devices, and other advanced digital products to market more reliably,
and at a smaller size, weight, and cost, than ever before.
Telematics, the broad term for a number of next-generation, in-vehicle
services and communication technologies, is one of the auto industry's hottest
segments. Gartner Group research estimates that telematics will grow from a
$2 billion business in 2000 to approximately $20 billion by 2005. This growth
is fueled by the public's desire for more advanced automotive electronics that
provide increased safety, better communications and on-board entertainment
systems, and enhanced driver and passenger convenience. Factors driving
automakers' interest in telematics include the desire for lucrative new
revenue streams and the sales excitement generated by these emerging
technologies.
Sheldahl's new telematics solutions also provide increased reliability,
higher density electrical function, and increased production efficiencies.
The company's flexible circuitry solutions eliminate wire-to-wire and contact
interfaces that are often at fault for electrical failures. Other benefits
include known conductor positions, with the flex circuit providing the correct
position every time and with better thermal management, and the ability to
place circuit boards directly on flex material.
"The demand for telematics is creating a number of new design challenges
for engineers," said John Gardner, Director of Sales at Sheldahl Inc. "High
performance, small size and weight, and low cost are all paramount issues in
telematics. We believe we have developed flex circuitry solutions that can
significantly address all these areas, giving designers practical alternatives
for their most difficult requirements."
Among the technologies and products being demonstrated at SAE 2001 World
Congress are:
-- Antennas: Sheldahl ComClad(TM) and NovaClad(R) laminates are
appropriate for many transmit-receive telematic products
such as RFIDs, satellite radios, satellite navigation systems, GPS,
cellular OnStar-type communications systems and more. ComClad, in
particular, provides high frequency (1Ghz and above) and low-cost
reception, while other polyester solutions offer optically clear
windshield antennas for on-board TVs and entertainment centers.
-- High Performance Electrical Connection: Using Sheldahl flexible
interconnects, engineers can deliver predictable, low-EMI
(electromagnetic interference) electrical performance in thicknesses as
low as 0.40mm. Space savings of up to 75 percent over round wire
equivalents can make Bluetooth devices, audio/video systems, heads-up
displays, and in-vehicle computing and navigation systems possible.
What's more, flex has a greater surface area-to-volume ratio than round
wire, making it more efficient in channeling heat away from sensitive
areas.
-- Flat Panel Displays: Sheldahl Accentia(TM) ITO transparent optical
coatings line is an advanced, optically clear polymer film coated with
Indium Tin Oxide that allows touchscreen displays with features as
small as 25 microns wide. Accentia ITO offers durable, lightweight
plastic touchscreen solutions for a wide variety of instrument panel or
backseat displays and control interfaces.
"Our flex circuitry products are able to reduce weight, provide ultra-thin
transmit/receive and electrical function, and decrease the size and cost of
many of the Automotive industries most innovative and aggressive electronics
concepts," said Gardner. "Sheldahl's Automotive Design Center, located in
Detroit, as well as its R&D laboratories in Minnesota, are ready to work with
OEMs and second-tier manufacturers to solve any telematics design
requirement."
Other technologies on display at Sheldahl's exhibit in Booth #3451 are SMT
LED lighting displays, electrical control units (ECUs) and sensors, and
instrumentation cluster connection products. For more information about
Sheldahl and its full line of flexible circuit and material technologies,
visit http://www.sheldahl.com .
About Sheldahl, Inc.:
Sheldahl, Inc. is a leading producer of high-density substrates, high-
quality flexible printed circuitry, and flexible laminates primarily for sale
to the automotive, electronics, and data communications markets. The company,
which is headquartered in Northfield, Minnesota, has operations in Northfield;
Longmont, Colorado; Endicott, New York; Detroit, Michigan; South Dakota;
Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. Its sales offices
are located in Hong Kong, China; Singapore; U.K.; France, and Germany.
Sheldahl's common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market tier of the
Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: SHEL. For more information contact
Sheldahl at 507/663-8000 or visit http://www.sheldahl.com .
NovaClad is a registered trademark, and Accentia and ComClad are
trademarks, of Sheldahl, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
CONTACT: Katie Eakins of S&S Public Relations, 847-955-0700, ext. 234, or
katie@sspr.com, for Sheldahl
SOURCE Sheldahl, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.sheldahl.com
CONTACT:
Katie Eakins of S&S Public Relations,
847-955-0700, ext. 234, or katie@sspr.com, for Sheldahl
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