ETL approval of the Caprock Enclosures to Nema 4X and 6P specifications - Product information

Caprock Manufacturing now performs CNC turning and milling of molded plastic parts and their assembled components

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TPEs Offer more Visual Appeal - Applications for Braille Products Provide Functional Benefits too
(Sep 13, 2005)

LUBBOCK, TX -- TPEs (thermoplastic elastomers) have become widely accepted for improving the aesthetic appeal of a variety of products. But, designers are finding that TPEs often are crucial to enhance the performance and acceptability of a variety of non-mainstream products as well.

This is especially the case for products developed for those with vision impairments where function rather than aesthetics are paramount. In this product category, TPEs have caught on at an amazing rate. Freedom Scientific Blind/Low Vision Group of St. Petersburg, FL and their custom molder, Caprock Manufacturing of Lubbock, TX, have an excellent example of such a product. It is from the product line of Focus 40 and 80 brand Braille Displays. Freedom Scientific's applications of TPE materials from GLS Corporation of McHenry, IL, have resulted in a widely popular product line. This line is now being used worldwide by individuals who want to be proficient on today's computers, but could otherwise be limited because of their disability.

Three companies engaged in development, manufacture and marketing of innovative technology-based products for those with vision impairments were combined to form Freedom Scientific. Freedom Scientific's use of products and popularity have spanned the globe since the year 2000. Why is this? According to company officials, many of the products, among them the Focus Braille Displays, offer the latest in technology. This technology enables those with impaired vision to smoothly navigate Windows® and other modern computer environments.

Freedom officials say getting to that point started out as a daunting task. Caprock Manufacturing's custom molding shop has been working with Freedom to produce products for those with vision disabilities almost since the firm was founded. "There were certain material changes put on us, not the least of which was to find and utilize a grippy, but soft overmolding material for the thumb wheel and bexel for the new Focus line. Our successful experience with TPEs, and particularly those of Kraton-based DYNAFLEX® brand overmolding thermoplastic elastomers from GLS Corporation, got us over both the product utilization and molding humps very quickly," notes Rod Smith, Operations Manager of Caprock Manufacturing.

"But," continues Smith, "being responsible custom molders always looking for newer - and possibly even better - alternatives, we did look at several competitive materials. But what with the way the GLS Corporation TPE looks, feels and processes, the decision was obvious. We chose the DYNAFLEX G7960 compound as the optimum way to go for the platform bezel and their G7980 compound for the foot that holds the computer onto the Freedom product."

The Focus Explained

"Looking back," continues the spokesman from Caprock, "a pressing need was to ensure that the exclusive, adjustable laptop/keyboard accessory, and particularly the foot for the thumb screw not only held the computer to the Braille display assembly with minimum effort, but also had a grippy feel. Another challenge was for the bezel around the base of the unit to impart a solid grip to hold the laptop computer in place in just the position the user wants and needs it to be."

"We're so pleased the way the GLS TPEs process and ultimately work on the Focus product line. We've both recommended, and used DYNAFLEX materials on molding programs that we have with other customers. This unique grade of TPE," notes Caprock's Rod Smith, "needs little or no drying, and during the overmolding process, without posing any processing constraints."

In this case, recalls Walt Ripple, Director of Sales & Marketing at the GLS headquarters just north of Chicago, "The ultimate challenge was to offer an ultra soft material with outstanding grip properties. The black G7960 grade worked best for the bezel while a gray, G7980 compound, was ideally suited for use on the foot for the thumb screw on the stand. Both grades process exceptionally well on the Caprock Nissei and Toshiba injection molding machines, offering reduced cycle times and providing parts that exhibit uniform gloss and no surface blemishes."

Founded in 1983, Caprock Manufacturing of Lubbock, TX, is a medium-sized, privately held custom manufacturer of plastic injection molded products and assemblies for the OEM market. This medium sized ISO and UL certified molder, with Nissei and Toshiba presses ranging from 45 to 500 tons, also offers complete turnkey services including assembly and decorating.

Source: GLS Corporation