Jun 15 2010
Victrex APTIV film, a high performance PEEK polymer film offered by polymer supplier Victrex plc., has been selected by Metallux AG one of the world's leading manufacturers of electronic devices in thick film technologies, for its new flexible foil sensor. APTIV film will be featured in this Metapot (MMP) sensor as a spacer film and was chosen for its ability to withstand the highly exacting demands of the sensor application.
Made from VICTREX PEEK polymer, APTIV film delivers an outstanding combination of friction and wear properties combined with high heat resistance, chemical and radiation resistance, purity and electric insulation. In addition, the film is hydrolytically stable with very low moisture absorption and permeability making it a well suited material for Metallux's MMP. The MMP sensor is capable of dealing with motion control applications that require high adjustment speeds and light weight as well as operate in cramped assembly conditions.
The flat profile MMP is easily integrated into existing motion control systems and is suitable for precise travel sensing and positioning applications in industries ranging from automotive, medical technology, shipbuilding and aerospace. It can be deployed in tasks as diverse as opening and closing convertible roofs, steering wheel, seating and mirror position in vehicles; adjusting the position of operating tables and indicating fluid levels in devices such as syringe pumps and dialysis machines in medical settings; control of actuators and joysticks on ships; and adjusting seating and carriage positions in aircraft. Other industrial applications include actuating drives, robot control, valve positioning, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, door and garage openers, machine tools, material-handling vehicles and packaging machines.
The APTIV film-based MMP is used as a linear and angular sensor in these custom applications. The sensor is based on Metallux's MetaPot foil potentiometer technology which combines all the advantages of this proven technology with a contact free function, making a long life time of more than 100 million cycles possible. Manufactured at Metallux's facilities near Stuttgart, Germany, to meet IP65 and higher specifications, the MMP is a cost efficient alternative to other sensor systems. This new sensor will meet the specific requirements demanded for industrial applications that need a high degree of safety, precision and reliability. It can operate in measurements from 50 to 500 mm and offers infinite possibilities and new fields of application for this new generation of sensors.
The high temperature resistance of APTIV film enables the MMP to operate in a wide temperature range of -40°C up to 125°C. The film's lower coefficient of friction against the sensor's metal foil make it a perfect material choice for this application. APTIV has a lower tendency to develop static charges and offers more design options than materials traditionally used in sensors such as polyimide (PI) film.
APTIV Film is FDA compliant, inherently halogen-free, provides good flame resistance without the use of flame retardants, is recyclable and compliant with the European RoHS Directive.