Elasto Proxy's Sealing Solutions Blog Blog

Elasto Proxy's Sealing Solutions Blog

Elasto Proxy's Sealing Solutions Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about the design and manufacturing of rubber and plastic parts and products. In addition to regular content from Elasto Proxy, you'll hear from companies across the rubber and plastics industry.

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EMI Shielding for Military Electronics and Medical Equipment

Posted June 10, 2013 4:57 PM by Doug Sharpe

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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Guru

Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1753
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#1

Re: EMI Shielding for Military Electronics and Medical Equipment

06/11/2013 1:10 PM

Elasto seals have their place in a wide variety of equipment, as a general means of reducing EM ingress and egress.

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Popular Science - Weaponology - New Member United Kingdom - Member - New Member

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#2

Re: EMI Shielding for Military Electronics and Medical Equipment

06/12/2013 2:10 PM

The odd thing is, I've worked on military and medical electronics, but the most hostile environment for EMC I've met is a commercial Laundry!
Funnilly enough it was situated fairly near Gatwick airport.

As we drove away from site, having fixed the conducted interference that was getting in the mains inlet. I pointed at the primary radar antenna that was whirling round in the airport and said to my boss...

"There ya go, that's the cause of the interferrence"

He said ...
"what? really"

I said..
"Nah, just kidding..."

Del

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