Posted to News on 9th Mar 2006, 00:00
Pressing ahead
Metal pressings specialist Clamason Industries has noted a recent surge in interest for metal presswork. it says precision metal pressings are now fighting back in all sorts of ways against plastics, providing superior solutions in many so-called 'traditional' plastics applications. For example, plastics may suffer from shrinkage, joint line and RFI/EMI shielding problems, be degraded over time by heat, light and ultraviolet rays and hold lower dimensional tolerances. None of these problems affect metal pressings. And, unlike plastics, metal presswork is recyclable in 95% of cases. What is more, plastic mouldings have a lower perceived value than metals owing to less weight and an inferior look and feel.
Examples of Clamason's components for automotive engineering are housings for in-car entertainment (ICE) systems, engine management unit (EMU) covers, boot catch loops and airbag casings and brackets, with technology transfer to leisure marine engine parts for Zodiac inflatables and Volvo Penta. In fact Clamason makes enclosures for three of the five airbag manufacturers in the World. Moreover the company has been designated by Delphi Automotive Systems as a 'Worldwide Supplier of Choice'.
Electrical applications include metering, switching and circuit protection, domestic appliances, cable clips and electric motor brush boxes, whilst the electronics area takes in plasma TV decoder boxes and bimetallic spring holders for cathode ray tubes, not to mention large quantities of CCTV camera bodies. Accordingly, Clamason manufactures four pressed metal casing components (base, lid, backplate and PCB carrier) in Zintec zinc-coated mild steel to enclose the motor and electronics of a comprehensive range of CCTV cameras designed for different applications, viewing areas and light levels.
