MacDermid specialist films used in control panels

Russian screen printer Vita-Print has capitalised on the resilience and reliability of MacDermid Autotype hardcoated polyester membrane switch films to build a strong reputation as a producer of control panels. Since discovering MacDermid Autotype seven years ago, Vita-Print has relied on the company to supply specialist films. MacDermid's textured polyester films have proved so effective that the Russian company has focused its energies on making the production of control panels its core business. The move has been a highly successful one, with Vita-Print currently taking a very healthy 50 per cent of the Russian made-to-order control panel market.

MacDermid Autotype has enabled Vita-Print to enter and exploit a market that it had planned to penetrate ten years ago but ultimately avoided since it felt that products available for membrane technology were not sufficiently developed to guarantee a high-quality product. Then Vita-Print discovered MacDermid Autotype and realised that, using this company's specialist films, the production of high-quality keyboards was possible.

Nevertheless, Vita-Print were resolved not to take any orders until it has ensured that it could use MacDermid Autotype alongside other components to produce a reliable product, and spent 18 months carrying out experiments, tests and training programmes. Vita-Print has now earned a deserved reputation for offering a high-quality product in a relatively new market for Russia, and continues to work with MacDermid Autotype to offer coated polyester films with a range of attributes, helping Vita-Print to keep delivering innovative products to its clients.

Vita-Print Managing Director Evgeniy Botkin comments: "There are no better materials than these for the manufacture of front panels. MacDermid Autotype offers a broad range of high-quality films with different finishes - gloss antiglare, textured and specialist films such as UV-resistant and antimicrobial coating. For example, we were the first in Russia to start using their Autotex Steel film, which enabled us to replicate successfully metal-brushed surfaces. This film is used on the front panels of high-end devices. The metallic effect is achieved by printing the mirror inks on the reverse of the film, while the front surface has been developed and coated by MacDermid to create a texture of brushed steel. There are no other specialist keyboard membrane films in existence with such an effect."

Control panels for use in challenging environments

As well as manufacturing components that offer designers attractive cosmetic options, Botkin believes that MacDermid Autotype breaks new ground and provides membrane manufacturers with products that no other supplier has attempted, opening up possibilities for control panels to be designed for use in ever more challenging environments:

"Polyester films by MacDermid Autotype are resistant to chemical action, for example, to hydrocarbon compounds such as petrol and oil. This sets them apart from polycarbonate membranes. Consequently, this is the only kind of membrane film which can be used in control panels on petrol stations or motor-car applications. Thanks to MacDermid Autotype's films' versatility we are now able to expand our range of products, including even finished items that can withstand immersion in liquid."

VitaPrint Russia is another example of how MacDermid Autotype's customer support and technological know-how has aided manufacturers of membrane switches to expand their businesses and gain an edge over their competition. For further information go to www.macdermidautotype.com.