Category: AUTOMOTIVE
23. October 2019   6:34 pm
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

Metal and plastics don’t form strong bonds – and when it comes to electical wiring, nobody wants moisture creeping in ……

To address this issue, Plasmatreat has developed a new technology by which we first clean/activate the connector pins and then apply a thin nano-coating via our atmospheric plasma jet. Yes, it is a CVD process, but with atmospheric plasma !

Then the housing is injection molded straight onto the pins and we have a perfect, seal-tight bond that can easly hold up to 5 bar pressure.

Please contact us, if you need to solve your sealing problems.

We just released this at the K-Show in Duesseldorf with an overwhelming customer interest.

https://www.plasmatreat.com/plasma-treatment/processes/metal-plastic-hybrid-bond-with-plasma-sealtight.html

#connectors #sealing #plasma #waterproof

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Category: AUTOMOTIVE
10. October 2019   8:47 pm
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

We are delighted to see the pioneers of the lithium-ion battery being recognized this year. While all of us use these batteries in our daily lives, we @ Plasmatreat & Plasmatreat North America are especially proud to support the emergence of lithium-ion batteries in the fast growing #EV market with our various applications used by the leading OEMs. For more information on how we can help you, please visit us at www.plasmatreat.com or email us at infoptna@plasmatreat.com #batterytechnology #surfacepreparation #cleantech #wirebonding #isolation #plasma

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Category: AUTOMOTIVE
6. October 2019   2:03 pm
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

Plastics Industy 4.0 = what is coming to a factory near you ?

Sustainability in Plastics = how can we positively influence the environment ?

InMould-Plasma = revolutionary new ways to bond composite materials

Lightweighting in Automotive = what does individual transportation look like in the near future and how can we build reliable products ?

For this and many more interesting topics, please visit us @k_tradefair in Duesseldorf, Germany and join the conversation.

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3. October 2019   2:25 pm
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

October 8 & 9, Detroit/MI

 In partnership with BTG Labs @

1400 Rosa Parks Road, Detroit, MI 

October 8, 2019 7:45am – 2:00pm 

“Automotive Electronics – Autonomous Vehicles Change the Game” 

This Tech Day will be comprised of discussions and technical solutions focusing on: 

  • impact of new regulations on electronic manufacturers 
  • environmental protection of electronic circuit boards and sensors 
  • verifiable and repeatable process control 
  • testing, and validation required to approach zero defects. 
  • shared techniques from the aerospace industry 

 

October 9, 2019 7:45am – 2:00pm 

“Lightweight Automotive Structure – Criticality and Methods for Joining Dissimilar Materials” 

This Tech Day will be comprised of discussions and technical solutions focusing on: 

  • reliability of bonded structures 
  • bond testing and bond strength 
  • defects in composite structures 
  • crash test data – failure modes 
  • secondary bonding – where and when to apply it 

Daily Networking Luncheon – 12:30 – 2:00pm 

There is no charge for tech days. 

Please visit our Tech Days website for more details: https://www.plasmatreat.com/event/tech-days-detroit.html

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Category: AUTOMOTIVE
8. May 2017   11:05 am
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

Since my days in grammar school, I have been fascinated by chemistry.  Watching two colorless liquids combine to produce a beautifully colored solid, bubbling volcano, on something that explodes was exhilarating.  Magical.

 

Now as work allows me to see some of the great technological advances going on in the world I am still awestruck by the magic of chemistry.  At it’s essence what we do with plasma surface treatment is really a story about changing the chemistry of surfaces to make magical things happen. We make things adhere that would not stick before, or deposit a coating a few molecules thick that stop corrosion.

 

I also get to work with many of the brightest and most talented chemists in the automotive, aerospace, medical device, and electronics industry.  Some of these folks were part of the 150-strong group that participated in our recent Silicon Valley Open House and Surface TechDays in Hayward, California.

 

It was a technology packed two-day event with 18 technical presentations touching on everything from how plasma is enabling engineers to make better giant airplane wings to tiny laboratories on a chip. In addition to these talks, a dozen laboratory demonstrations allowed visitors to see how plasma can enable new applications up close.

 

But what also impressed me was the chemistry happening at the event itself.

 

In the crucible of the applications lab, using the energy of the group, with Plasmatreat’s technology as a catalyst — experts in chemistry, physics, plastics, metals, and composites mixed together.  And this mixture produced a number of exciting new ideas.

 

They say that greatest creative insights come from the synthesis of relatively well understood ideas.  That was certainly true for those at Surface TechDays.

 

I look forward to sharing some of the specific technology and insights with you in upcoming blogs and our plan to organize another Surface TechDays event in another location soon. For now, I wish to thank our industry partners for help proving the the active ingredients that produced such a great reaction in Hayward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Category: AUTOMOTIVE
21. March 2017   12:45 am
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

Attendees will have the opportunity learn, network, and see hands-on demonstrations in our new Silicon Valley laboratory.

Last week we had to stop taking reservations for our upcoming Open House and Surface TechDays event at Plasmatreat’s new Silicon Valley laboratory facility.  With over 150 people expected to attend, we were at capacity.  As I talked to many who are coming to the event, two reasons for signing up stood out to me. First, is interest in the 18 interesting technology talks being offered at the 2-day event.  This includes expert discussions on topics ranging from bonding to composite substrates to OSEE measurement, and from failure analysis to innovative medical device coatings.  Take a quick look at the current agenda:

  1. Joerg Ihde, Fraunhofer IFAM: Composite repair and improved adhesion for lightweighting applications with plasma
  1. Tim Smith, Plasmatreat: Plasma control characterization & process parameter monitoring in high-value, high-volume manufacturing
  1. Joe Williams, Henkel Adhesives:Advanced adhesive technologies for bonding in critical industrial applications
  1. Stephanie Benight, Exponent :Failure analysis in bonding applications
  1. Paul Betz, KUKA Robotics:Innovative automation solutions for medical, automotive and electronics applications
  1. Lucas Dillingham and Tom Mclean, BTG Labs:The four critical control points for managing surface performance
  1. Uday Vaidya, IACMI/UTK:Enhanced bonding strength of composites and hybrid materials
  1. Alexis Sauer-Budge, Fraunhofer CMI, Boston:Plasma surface modifications for microfluidic and diagnostic devices
  1. David Jackson, Cleanlogix:Improving surface cleanliness in manufacturing through a plasma/CO2 combination
  1. Uwe Lommatzsch, Fraunhofer IFAM:Formulating novel functional coatings such as corrosion protection, anti-stick, and anti-bacterial materials
  1. Khoren Sahagian, Plasmatreat:Plasma surface engineering for complex multi-material bonding
  1. Dan Murad, Chemquest Technology Group:Surprising industry trends for advanced coatings & Launch of the Chemquest Technolgy Institute
  1. Mantosh Chawla, Photo Emission Technologies:Non-destructive, non-contact surface contamination and thin film detection for automated systems
  1. Philipp Holz, Fraunhofer IPM:New inline inspection of surface cleanliness and coatings by quantitative fluorescence Imaging
  1. Gavin Matupang, PVA:Automation in curved displays bonding
  1. Ed Valigursky, LUNA Innovations:Stress sensing technology for measuring performance of bond lines
  1. Ned Saleh, Plasmotica Inc.:Maskless patterning using plasma surface treatment with micron spatial resolutions
  1. Edward Yokley, Thin Film Partners:Designed surfaces by plasma nanoscale coatings

The second reason for attending that people mentioned related to the technical partnerships that Plasmatreat has established with other suppliers. The eighteen talks listed above are not the kind of arbitrary set of disconnected topics you often find at typical industry conferences. Instead, they demonstrate a commitment to coordinate efforts, and make upstream and downstream pieces of the manufacturing process work together to solve problems, or to develop something new.

These talks are often the result of countless hours of engineers and technicians working together to solve surface related manufacturing problems. That might be how to automate plasma treatment for high-volume 3D applications, to improve adhesion of dissimilar materials, or to overcome challenges of bonding curved electronic displays. In these presentations, attendees see first-hand demonstrations of how teamwork has produced impressive results.

I am delighted that this event seems poised for success for Plasmatreat, our partners, and our guests. While this event “sold out,” and we could not accommodate everyone,  the interest in this format has prompted us to plan on taking the Surface TechDays show on the road. So look for a similar event in the future, perhaps in another location, for those who could not make it to our Hayward, CA facility this time. If you want to be kept informed about these developments,  just drop me a note to andy.stecher@plasmatreat.com

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22. March 2016   11:53 am
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

Plasmatreat is Playing a Leading  Role in Engine Technology

While many of Plasmatreat’s success stories can’t be told because of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements that protect our customers processes, one story about how plasma is enabling one of the world’s top automakers produce better cars has made it to the small screen.

Since its 1966 debut, the General Motors Chevrolet Camaro has become one of the most iconic high performance cars in America.  The 6th generation Camaro introduced for the cars 50th anniversary, the 2016 Chevy Camaro, is an amazing display of styling and technology. The 2016 Camaro uses engines built at GM’s powertrain plant in Romulus Michigan.

Plasma surface treatment, supplied by Plasmatreat, is used to clean and activate the surface of the engine’s front cover before applying a sealant that helps secure the cover to the aluminum engine block. This seal is critical to the engines performance and longevity.

“How It’s Made-Dream Cars: 2016 Chevrolet Camaro” is airing on national television.  You can watch this fascinating episode by clicking the link below:

http://camarosix.com/how-its-made-dream-cars-2016-chevrolet-camaro/

While the entire video is fascinating for both car buffs and fans of the latest technology, those who want to skip directly to the plasma treatment process can fast forward to the 9 minute and 40 second mark for Plasmatreat’s performance.

Plasma is a proven process, being used widely in automotive and in engine production, to clean and activate surfaces prior to applying adhesives, sealants and coatings. More recently,  Plasmatreat’s pioneering process PlasmaPlus® is also being used to prevent corrosion.  PlasmaPlus® uses atmospheric plasma to apply a functional protective coating by introducing a precursor to the plasma. You can read more about the use of plasma and the PlasmaPlus® process in engine production in The March 15 issue of Engine Technology International magazine (Page 73) available here:

http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/e8c2bb3c#/e8c2bb3c/74

We’re proud to be associated with the 2106 Camaro, GM, and a long list of customers who have proven the value of plasma and PlasmaPlus® in a wide range of demanding applications. We’re glad they think enough of us to share the story on TV. —  Action!

Regards,

Andy

 

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Category: AUTOMOTIVE
28. January 2016   3:15 pm
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

I was intrigued by a presentation I saw by the RAMPF Group. The RAMPF Group, based in Wixom, Michigan supplies polyurethane, epoxy, and silicone for sealing, foaming, bonding, casting, and coating. They also manufacture mixing and dispensing systems for applying single- and multi-component polymers in the automotive, electronics, and other high tech industries. Today, RAMPF ships over 1,000,000 parts a year to automotive assembly lines. So, the people at RAMPF understand the importance of thinking through the whole process.

RAMPF appears concerned about two trends that affect their reactive resins business. First, is the continuous raising-of-the-bar when it comes to performance specifications. Their OEM customers are making products that have better UV stability, offer better thermal and chemical resistance, and provide better mechanical properties.

Second, the increased use of plastics and composites driven by the desire to reduce weight, has also been accompanied by the greater use of more recycled materials to cut costs, and processing new engineered substrates before they are properly tested. This means their customers are often using materials that are more and more “undefined,” and changing substrates without testing the effect on important properties like adhesion. RAMPF claims that 90% of the reported problems relating to joining are due to problems with the process.

Plasmatreat agrees with these observations. And although we recommend thorough process testing before implementing any new process, plasma also provides some safeguard against potential problems from day-to-day changes in process parameters.

In many cases, adding plasma surface conditioning enhances substrate performance and provides more process latitude. Thus plastic and composite part manufacturers have found they can improve the reliability and consistency of their process by using plasma. Our process engineers work customers in our labs, and in their plants lines to establish, optimize and find the limits of their processes.

In the 1970’s, Fram Oil Filter ads featured an experienced car mechanic who told us we should protect our car by investing in a better oil filter rather than face massive repairs by cutting corners. Perhaps the very companies who make those cars should heed the same warning. As the man said – “You can pay me now, or pay me later.”

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Category: AUTOMOTIVE
2. December 2015   4:46 am

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I recently returned from the BajaMak trade show in Tijuana, Mexico. It was fascinating to get a better sense of the emerging—and rapidly growing—maquiladora manufacturing climate. These geographically desirable Maquiladoras, or “Twin Plants,” have grown with the return of manufacturing from places like China. Even these small trade shows are beginning to see the presence of large U.S. and Mexican concerns like Thermo Fisher and Medtronics.

The trade show was a success from the Plasmatreat perspective in that there were many solid engineering contacts interested in introducing cutting-edge plasma surface treatment to their manufacturing processes. The interest in Openair plasma treatment ranged from medical devices, to electronics, to automotive. In Baja, we’re noticing a trend toward a sophisticated and innovative approach to manufacturing as a whole. What was traditionally dominated by manual processes, is now being automated—a perfect fit for our inline Openair plasma system!

Right now Plasmatreat is actively working on projects with our partners SEI Automation and Bajarep to support both our Spanish- and English-speaking customers along the manufacturing corridor. This is a reflection of global network and our dedication to providing excellent support to all customers. It is exciting to see Plasmatreat as part of the solution in these evolving markets!

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Category: AUTOMOTIVE
22. October 2015   11:15 am
Hardev Grewal

Hardev Grewal
CEO Plasmatreat PTNA & US - Hayward, CA

Photo courtesy Plasmatreat.

Photo courtesy Plasmatreat.

 

The World Solar Challenge, taking place this week in Australia, features hyper-efficient solar cars traveling from Darwin to Adelaide—some 3000 kilometers (over 1800 miles) to the south. The event represents the ultimate in automotive lightweighting. As the World Solar Challenge website notes:

It’s all about energy management! Based on the original notion that a 1000W car would complete the journey in 50 hours, solar cars are allowed a nominal 5kW hours of stored energy, which is 10% of that theoretical figure. All other energy must come from the sun or be recovered from the kinetic energy of the vehicle.

Plasmatreat is thrilled to have a horse in this race, so to speak. Atmospheric plasma pretreatment of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components for the Punch Powertrain Solar Team’s racing car, Punch One, is an integral part of the car’s speed and strength.

Stiffening ribs in previous iterations of the car, necessary to protect it from strong race-condition vibrations, had been laminated—but this process required multiple layers and lengths of prepeg strips, a labor-intensive process  that also increased weight. Plasma pretreatment enabled the use of Loctite EA 466 instead, a fast-curing two-component epoxy resin adhesive.

The production manager of the 16-strong solar car team – who is just 23 years old – enthusiastically backs his team’s decision to use atmospheric pressure plasma in the new car to improve the adhesion of the CFRP components. This approach not only greatly reduced the time taken to pretreat the CFRP, but also achieved a 3 kg weight savings compared with the previous method.

CFRP is 60 percent lighter than steel and around 30 percent lighter than aluminum, but extremely stable. The total weight of Punch One is just 165 kg (around 364 lbs.), with the heaviest single component being the solar battery.

Needless to say, we are excited and proud to cheer on our contender as it traverses Australia this week. Go Punch One!

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