Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can
disrupt sensitive electronic components and endanger the lives of the warfighters
and hospital patients who depend on them. Without EMI shielding, radio
frequency (RF) transmissions and other electromagnetic induction can interrupt the
electronic equipment used in military vehicles and healthcare environments.
EMI and Seal Design
Whether aboard a frigate or inside
an operating room, electromagnetic shielding is a sealing solution
that product designers must consider. The causes of EMI are
numerous, and include everything from radio transmitters and electric motors to
fluorescent lights, power lines, and computer circuits. National regulations
limit unwanted electronic emissions, but EMI shielding remains
mission-critical.
As a sealing solutions provider for
Elasto Proxy, I work
with medical
equipment manufacturers and suppliers to the defense industry.
The electronics that our partners need to
protect are important, and failure is not an option. By outsourcing the raw
materials and then custom
fabricating the EMI shielding, our Boisbriand, Quebec company provides a
wide range of rubber
products.
Raw Materials and
Custom Fabrication
The raw materials for EMI shielding
are specialized. Metal is embedded in rubber inserts, which are then custom-fabricated
into usable shapes. The required attenuation, or loss of signal strength,
determines whether a metal such as stainless steel is used. Because different
types of rubber
compounds have different properties, technical
designers must also consider factors such as temperature and pressure.
In some cases, Elasto Proxy uses sheet stock or
rubber strips to make electromagnetic shielding. Other partners need a rubber
extrusion or tubing.
Flat gaskets are also required for some military or medical equipment applications.
The size of the task varies, too. From low-volume custom fabrication to the
design and production of EMI gaskets for a fleet of frigates, each partner has
different needs.
EMTs vs. EMI
Military electronics and medical
equipment are expensive, so manufacturers need high-quality sealing solutions
to ensure supply
chain strength. That's why smart suppliers also use EMI gaskets in hospital
dummies. By protecting the sensitive electronics used to monitor heart rate and
blood pressure, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) can beat EMI, too.
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