Invisible Heat Source keeps displays working in the cold.
Press Release Summary:
Thin, optically clear CLEARVIEW film contains micro resistance heating element that maintains legibility of electronically generated text on instrument screens used outdoors or in cold environments. It allows undistorted high definition viewing of information on hand-held instrument screens and displays. Embedded temperature sensor covers specified area over heater element close proximity of heater and sensor allows uniform display of information.
Original Press Release:
Clearview: A Virtually Invisible Heat Source
Heatron, Inc., an ISO 9001 certified company would like to introduce CLEARVIEW: a virtually invisible heat source used to maintain legibility of electronically generated text on instrument screens used outdoors or in cold environments.
A thin, optically clear film containing a micro resistance element allows undistorted high definition viewing of information (text, graphs, etc) on hand-held instrument screens and displays. Within the same film laminate structure, an embedded temperature sensor covers a specified area over the heater element. The close proximity of heater and sensor allows uniform display of information for optimum user confidence.
Each new custom design begins with a customer's unique application. The manufacturing process involves state-of-the art CNC equipment that accurately places the fine element wire on an optically clear adhesive/polyester laminate. A CAD/CAM system is used to develop a design and an element pattern to which the wire will conform. The CNC machine itself is customized to perform the "plotting" of the wire in a delicate and repeatable manner. With coordinates derived from the CAD design, the CAM program drives the CNC as it would multi-axis machine. The finished element is subsequently covered with .001-.002 inch of transparent polyester before the lead wires are attached. A temperature-controlled environment is beneficial for repeatability of the process.
Each design must address the customer's objectives, which typically include the highest light transmission possible (minimal element length but still heat the entire area), ability to physically fit in a given area, to operate on the existing available voltage, and to maintain thermal uniformity. Applications with these requirements include LCD screens, data acquisition (scanners, code readers), temperature sensitive lighting, gauges, and instruments used in low temperature conditions.
The Heatron CLEARVIEW heater provides the necessary optical qualities and stable temperature for reliable instrument operation and viewing in low temperature environments.
Heatron is a leading manufacturer of custom designed heating elements and heat solutions for OEM markets. Major markets supplied by Heatron include medical products such as kidney dialysis machines and fluid warmers, restaurant equipment such as holding cabinets, and pizza delivery bags. Other important markets are laboratory and analytical equipment, semiconductor machinery, transportation and automotive. Products include cartridge heaters, mica and ceramic band heaters, strip heaters, cast heaters in aluminum or bronze, flexible heaters utilizing silicone rubber, Kapton(TM), polyester, mica, polymer thick film, infrared ceramic emitters, and temperature sensors.
