What Is Electronic Potting And Why Is It Important?
There are nearly 1.6 million solar installations throughout the U.S. today. By 2022, there will be an estimated 4 million of these installations in homes and businesses all across the country. But to ensure these installations — and other countless electronic devices and systems on which we rely every day — work properly, sensitive components must be protected from the elements. That’s where potting and encapsulation come in. For those who produce technical gadgets, it’s essential to have a complete understanding of this process and why it plays such a pivotal role in ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction.
What Is Electronic Potting?
Electronic potting and encapsulation refers to protecting components within a container from various corrosives or vibrations. Manufacturers will typically use adhesive dispensing systems for potting and encapsulation purposes.
What’s Involved In The Potting Process?
During the potting process, a given electronic component will be filled with a compound that provides better resistance to shock and vibration and keeps moisture and other corrosives out. Epoxy dispensers can help protect sensitive electronic elements from impact, extreme temperatures, and more.
Typically, the electronic component in question will be put into a mold, which is then filled with the epoxy or other compound. When this compound hardens, the electronic assembly is permanently protected. In some applications, like circuit board assembly, a conformal coating layer may be preferred.
Epoxy dispensers are commonly used when electronic components are expected to survive in harsher environments. That’s because epoxy coatings can provide superior physical protection against extreme thermal temperatures, high voltage, and more. They can also be easily customized to suit a manufacturer’s specific needs.
Why Are Potting And Encapsulation Important?
Innovators and manufacturers need to make certain their products can withstand any environment. For solar-related products and devices that contain LED lights, this is particularly important. A product that cannot hold its own against excess moisture, dust, dirt, and other corrosives will likely not do well in today’s saturated market. Customers will simply abandon a product that short circuits or fails to live up to its promised lifespan.
One of the best ways to ensure top quality in your electronic device is to rely on the equipment from your dispensing machine manufacturer. By using epoxy dispensers and other customized equipment, you’ll be able to make your product stand out for all the right reasons.
To find out more about our equipment options for potting and encapsulation, please contact EXACT Dispensing today.
