Laser Cutting Blog
Liners for Die-Cutting – Why is there Thick, or Thin Liners?
NEDC is an authorized converter for 3M company. For that reason, we often get questions from customers about the adhesive tape products we offer. Customers often ask, what is the difference between this tape, and this tape? The reason customers ask this question, is a...
Application Note for Speaker Gasket Found In Airport
When people ask me what I do for a living, I'll be honest- I struggle trying to tell them what I do. I usually end up just saying, most of the parts we make are for aerospace/military applications. Which is true. However, frankly that is a terrible answer. I'm going...
Tips/Tricks to Avoid Supply Chain Disruptions | Custom Die-Cutters
In this supply chain taxed environment, I thought I’d write a blog about how to keep your supply chain moving at the maximum speed possible- whatever that may be nowadays. In this blog, we will provide some tips, and tricks to keep your supply chain moving....
Why so many Gap Pads/Thermal Pads? Some Thoughts
I often get the question, “Why are there so many thermal pads?” In addition, I always joke there are so many types of thermal pads, that they are sort of like ice cream flavors. There is a type of ice cream for everybody. Some Thoughts I had on "Why so Many Gap...
FDA, 21 CFR 177.2600 Gasketing Materials | Neoprene, Nitrile, FKM, EPDM
About 8 years ago, when I had first started blog writing- oh God, don’t remind me it was 8 years ago, I wrote a blog on FDA Gaskets for silicone rubber products. This blog only covered what was available for silicone rubber products. In that blog, we neglected rubber...
3M Adhesive 350 | Cut Shapes/Custom Gaskets
At NEDC, we are a 3M Converter. For that reason, we are constantly dealing with high performance tapes. We thought we’d do a blog on all of the tapes that have the 350 Adhesive Tapes. Properties of Adhesive 350 Tapes: -High Heat Stress (450°F for short periods, with...
Supported Thermal Pads | Why are they Supported?
I have made it obvious that we manufacture thermal pads at NEDC. I practically mention it in every single blog. Why are Thermal Pads Supported? Thermal Pads are supported because they are essentially made of putty. It's important to distinguish there are about four...
Developments/Challenges at NEDC in 2022
At NEDC, we closed a strong 2022. However, it was not all sunshine, and rainbows. It was quite the opposite. We faced a number of challenges. There weren't only bad things, there was a few silver linings as well. Challenges/New Developments at NEDC in 2022 ...
PTFE Coated Fiberglass Fabric | Custom Die-Cut Parts
At NEDC, we die cut all sorts of products. One product that I’m surprised I have not mentioned in the 5 years I’ve been doing the blog, is PTFE Coated Fiberglass Fabric materials. Right before the turn of the New Year, I decided it may be a good idea to discuss...
Open Cell Foam/Sponge | What is it, What is it good for?
At NEDC, we cut all kinds of cellular sponge products. One thing we have never really discussed on this blog, is “What is Open Cell Foam?” We discussed the differences between Open Cell Sponge, and Closed Cell Sponge, but I thought to myself, maybe a more...
Natural Gum Rubber | Custom Die Cut/Waterjet Cut Parts
It surprises me slightly, just slightly that we have posted over 220 blogs, but we have never discussed natural rubber. Natural rubber is called that because it was the first type of rubber discovered when the fateful Charles Goodyear accidentally dropped his natural...
Tips for your Gasket to Consider | Custom Gasket Suggestions
In a blog I wrote in the past, I had discussed how to make your gasket more cost effective. At times, I feel like I have talked about everything about gasket design- one blog I have not talked about is a few tips on designing gaskets. Tips: 1. Temperature Range When...
High Temperature Transfer Tapes | Die-Cut Tape/Laminated
NEDC die-cuts high-temperature gasketing materials all the time. Many times, customers would like a gasketing material to have a tape on them. Most applications don’t require a high temperature adhesive because its just to help during assembly- however, there are...
Cooking an Egg Through a Thermal Pad | How they Work
At NEDC, we cut thermal pads like it's our job- cause guess what.. It is. Oftentimes, when we are talking to customers- they may not know exactly how thermal pads work because it may not be obvious what a good insulator air is in an application. A few weeks ago, right...
Speaker Gaskets | Custom Die-Cut Shapes | Foam/Sponge/Cork
Speakers are everywhere these days. I have some in my car, I have two on my desk (currently playing Vivaldi). In our last blog, we talked about rattling/pinging that can be present in different environments. As discussed in that blog, we suggest foam/sponge to absorb...
Foams/Sponges to Stop Rattling/Pinging/Buzzing in Applications
A few years ago, I had a car that had a sunglasses holder near the sunroof. I’m not going to name the manufacturer because I’m never buying a car from them again- however- One day(don’t ask me why, it started rattling).. It made this all the time. Finally, after a...
Sil-Pad A2000 aka SIL PAD TSP A3000 | Custom Die-Cut Thermal Pads
At NEDC, we die-cut a lot of thermal interface materials (TIMs). Cost is always a concern when customers are selecting thermal pads. When selecting an .015’’-.020’’ thin thermal pad, Sil-Pad A2000 is a good choice. Why Select Thermal Interface Pad Sil-Pad A2000? I’m...
Thermal Pad Sample Kit 2.0 | Sil-Pad & Gap Pad in One Kit
During COVID, NEDC released a Thermal Pad Sample Kit. It had a number of Gap Pads on it. We decided to re-release it- new. and improved. Why Thermal Pad Sample Kit 2.0? This time it has a combination of Sil-Pad and Gap Pad on the Thermal Pad Sample Kit. It has...
Weatherproof/Weather Resistant Gaskets | Outdoor Gaskets
At NEDC, we discuss types of gaskets with customers all of the time. It can range from high temperature gaskets, to fuel resistant gaskets. In this blog, we wanted to discuss weather resistant gasketing materials. Another thing I’ve heard customers called weatherproof...
3M Thermal Interface Pads | Silicone – Acrylic | Die-Cut Thermal Pads
At NEDC, we cut thermal pads on a frequent basis. Customers come all the time, asking for a thermal interface pad for their special electronic, phone this, defense system that. With all of these commercial electronics, and military applications, you need a reliable,...
PORON® Condux Plus™ | Custom Waterjet Cutting/Die Cutting Shapes
At NEDC, we cut a lot of conductive foam for customers. One of the conductive foams that we have a lot of success with is PORON® Condux Plus™. There are many reasons for this, but the below are a highlighted few I thought I’d share. Uses for PORON® Condux Plus™...
Membrane Switch Spacers | Custom Die Cut/Laser-Cut Shapes
If you open up a membrane switch, you will find there are 3M products all over the place. 3M 467MP, 3M 467MP liner- any die-cutter who is worth their weight knows 3M 467MP is a commercial staple for this reason. NEDC provides all sorts of insulators, and spacers for...
Flame Retardant Adhesive Transfer Tape | Lamination, Die-Cutting
At NEDC, we stock a lot of materials that are flame retardant. In fact, we have a page that just mentions all the flame retardant materials we have. These include gasketing, thermal pads, absorbers, and other types of materials. One thing we have not mentioned on this...
Battery Cushion Pads | Soft Custom Pads | Foam, Sponge | Custom-Cut
At NEDC, we manufacture a lot of products. Battery Cushion Pads are a common product we make. Customers who are making a modular electronic, oftentimes have a battery that also requires cushioning, or thermal cooling. What are Battery Cushion Pads Used for? Battery...
Fishpaper/Vulcanized Fibre | Custom Die Cutting/Laser Cutting
At NEDC, insulators are one of our core products. Many different electrical insulation materials are among products we cut into custom shapes. However, fishpaper, and vulcanized fiber paper products are among the most popular electrical insulation materials we use. ...
Q-Pad 3 aka SIL PAD TSP Q2000 | Thermal Grease Replacement
At NEDC, thermal pads are our specialty. However, oftentimes customers are looking for a thermal pad that is a grease replacement, that isn’t damaged by reflow solder baths. To be honest, Q-Pad 3 is a unique product for this reason. Q-Pad 3 is a fiberglass reinforced...
ESD Gaskets | Neoprene/Silicone Gaskets, Pads | Custom Die-Cut
At NEDC, we manufacture gaskets, and custom pads. One of the more interesting materials offer is electrostatic dissipative(ESD) gasketing. Out of those materials we manufacture ESD Gaskets. What is ElectroStatic Dissipative Gasketing? It might be a good idea to start...
Butyl Gaskets | Custom Die-Cut/Waterjet Cut Parts
Butyl rubber is an extremely versatile material. Butyl Rubber is a copolymer of isobutylene, and a very small amount of isoprene, both polymers are distributed throughout the polymer chain randomly. It was first synthesized in 1937 at Standard Oil, now formally...
Sil-Pad 980 aka SIL PAD TSP 1680 | Custom Die-Cut Shapes
At NEDC, we cut a whole bunch of different types of thermal pad gap filling materials. Sil-Pad 980 has a unique application list where it's used. Properties of SIL PAD TSP 1680, aka Sil-Pad 980 SIL PAD TSP 1680 has great cut-through resistance. It is silicone-based...
Buna-N/Nitrile Custom Gaskets | Waterjet-Cutting/Die-Cutting
At NEDC, we cut a lot of types of materials. A common type of material chosen for fuel-resistant applications is nitrile gasketing. Nitrile gasketing has an excellent balance of properties that make it a versatile material to pick for applications where fuel resistant...
All of the information presented above is believed to be factual and accurate; however, NEDC is not liable for any design or application utilizing this information.
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Super-Soft Silicone Rubber Gaskets | Tight-Tolerance/High-Temperature
At NEDC, Custom Silicone Rubber Gaskets are a common product we sell. Included in that category are the Super-Soft Silicone Rubber Gaskets that are available. When I think soft gaskets, typically below 40A durometer would be considered soft. However, when I think of...
Double Coated Tape 3M 9731- Acrylic/Silicone
We are an authorized 3M Converter at NEDC. As a result, we work with many of their tape products. These include VHB Tapes, EMI Shielding Tapes, Transfer Tapes, and many others. One of the tapes we work with often is 3M 9731 Double Coated Tape. This tape has the great...
Sil-Pad 900S Thermal Pad | Thin Thermal Pad | Custom Die Cut Shapes
NEDC has been die-cutting thermal pads since its inception in 1982. One of the more popular products Sil-Pad 900S by Henkel’s Bergquist. It is one of the most commonly die-cut materials NEDC converts. This product is part of the Sil-Pad family, featuring great thermal...
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