Moulded fascias production simplified

Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team Feb 17, 2004

Using an adhesive-backed inlay simplified the production of moulded fascias by eliminating print operations and reducing the cosmetically-critical area on the moulding, while maintaining quality.

A solution for a new product requirement at set-top box manufacturer Thomson Broadband UK has been provided by fascias and labels specialist GSM Primographic - and has led to a substantial contract.

Llantrisant-based Thomson Broadband UK is a leading manufacturer of digital set-top boxes for BSkyB.

In the past, the graphics on the products have been printed on to the plastic moulded front fascia.

Brecon-based GSM Primographic jointly developed a screen-printed, self-adhesive panel to remove all printing operations from the moulded front fascia.

GSM Primographic general manager Andrew Farthing said: "This has provided a far greater degree of flexibility in the manufacturing process, allowing a simple change if, for example, Thomson Broadband need to change the graphics to provide for product differentiation.

"We developed a solution by screen printing the graphics and pressing out a panel for the front of the decoder.

We also had to ensure that the adhesive we used for the new panels was optically clear and would not interfere with the lenses used for remote control of the boxes." Thomson Broadband UK commented that: "Utilising an adhesive-backed inlay simplified the production of the moulded fascias by eliminating print operations and reducing the cosmetically-critical area on the moulding, whilst still achieving an acceptable product appearance." GSM Primographic specialises in labels, nameplates and surface finishes and primarily serves the electrical goods and automotive sectors.

The company is part of the GSM Group, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of printed labels and nameplates in metal and plastics, which also has manufacturing sites in Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Yorkshire.