Switzer Blog

When it comes to variables that influence the performance of an RF shielding enclosure, the selected material is at the top of the list. It either absorbs or reflects EMI radiations, ensuring the device is immune to radio frequency interference. Your RF shielding material should be based on your application’s specifications and performance needs. The…

Electromagnetic interference can always pose a threat to microwave/RF designs. Leaks can cause stray electromagnetic energy to impede other circuits, ultimately affecting a microwave’s overall performance. There are two main approaches for microwave shielding: board level shielding and machined housings. Both effectively reduce or block EM emissions before they reach sensitive circuits. Board Level Shielding…

For the aerospace industry, chemical milling is a subtractive machining process that reduces the weight of fuselage skins to produce pocket and channel features or achieves an overall weight reduction for a more efficient aircraft. Chemical milling, or photochemical etching, is a clean, scalable option that brings unique advantages to the aerospace industry, including: Improved…

As etched foil heating elements become increasingly popular among engineers who must offer advanced thermal management in applications that lack space, it is important to make the most of your metal alloy and base laminate material selection. The choice for metal alloy will depend on your manufacturing process, application needs and buying requirements. Every metal…

Manufacturers requiring localized heat for applications understand the need for dependable flexible heaters. These components can be mounted directly to equipment or other components to provide appropriate thermal transfer based on unique specifications. There are two common types: wire wound and etched foil heating elements. Etched foil heating elements have become the engineer’s choice for…

With today’s electronic devices becoming smaller and smaller, there is a greater need for enclosures and shapes that can accommodate those market demands. Board level shielding effectively reduces or limits the effect of electromagnetic interference (EMI) while offering more flexibility as compared to traditional shielding. Design Flexibility Traditional shielding is generally square or rectangular in…

As manufacturing methods become increasingly complex and delivery deadlines increasingly tight, many companies are choosing to outsource production to a contract metal manufacturer. A contract metal manufacturer is a third-party provider that produces a component, which will be used in your final product. It’s a partnership that can bring significant benefits to your operation, including:…

As the global fuel cell market continues to rise, manufacturing companies are seeking more affordable and efficient ways to produce the bipolar and cooling plates that are essential to this technology. Fuel cells are produced by stacking these precise plates that are machined with elaborate channels to enable liquids and gasses to flow. The bipolar…

  Particle size reduction is the process of reducing large solids or bulk material masses into smaller uniform-sized particles. Particle size reduction is necessary for processing products, enhancing and improving a material’s performance properties, or meeting stringent processing requirements. Particle size can affect the viscosity, flow rates and stability of a given product. In high-production…

  Electromagnetic interference (EMI), also called radio-frequency interference (RFI), is a disturbance produced by an outside source that affects an electrical circuit due to electromagnetic induction, coupling or conduction.  EMI/RFI shielding is designed to protect electronic devices from malfunction by blocking unwanted external electromagnetic waves or preventing internal electromagnetic waves from emitting and interfering with…