Schreiner ProTech upgrade

Schreiner ProTech, one of the Germany-based global leaders in developing and manufacturing functional labels, has introduced a new quality assurance process for its pressure compensation seals.

The company will now subject the entire membrane of certain PCS materials to a full-surface inspection for the critical characteristics of hydrophobicity (water tightness) and airflow (gas permeability). Schreiner ProTech is one of the only companies that applies such thorough inspection techniques to materials in its PCS production practices.

Testing of materials comprising pressure compensation seals is important, as each year several million PCS units are shipped to customers in the automotive and electronics industries. These seals use a fine-pored membrane to compensate for pressure differences, and to ensure that water, oil or fuel cannot enter the housing from the outside.

All PCS products are checked for water entry point, airflow, hydrophobicity, material thickness, material cohesion, shape, clearances, dimensions and dispensability. In addition, all materials are submitted to camera inspection to detect dirt, stains and cutting residues.

“Schreiner ProTech has intensified our PCS quality assurance efforts so that our testing for hydrophobicity and airflow exceeds industry standards,” said Matthias Tuebel, sales director of Schreiner ProTech North America. “Now, all incoming shipments of materials not inherently water-repellent are subjected to full-surface hydrophobicity tests upon arrival at our receiving department.”

During a novel airflow assessment developed by Schreiner ProTech, a measuring head scans the entire web of the raw material delivered. Results are displayed in a detailed log showcasing airflow across the web, along with an analysis of whether the material meets specified requirements. This ensures that the PCS products afford optimum air supply and achieve a customer’s desired component pressure compensation.

Summing up Schreiner ProTech’s approach, Tuebel said: “By optimising and expanding quality inspections for our pressure compensation seals, we ensure that specified requirements for air permeability and hydrophobic properties are met across the entire width and length of the raw material web. This means we comprehensively inspect every single seal for our customers, clearly differentiating Schreiner ProTech from competitors.”