Laser Cutting Blog
Why Thermal Pads Became Standard in LED Lighting
LEDs are often marketed as “cool” lighting. That’s only true optically. Electrically, high-power LEDs convert a significant portion of input energy into heat at the junction. If that heat isn’t removed efficiently, LED performance degrades fast: Light output drops...
How NEDC Uses LOCTITE ABLESTIK ECF 550 in Electrically Conductive Assemblies
When an application requires electrical conductivity across bonded interfaces, material selection becomes non-negotiable. At New England Die Cutting (NEDC), one of the electrically conductive adhesive films we regularly work with is LOCTITE ABLESTIK ECF 550, a...
Understanding Henkel LOCTITE ABLESTIK ECF 561 and ECF 561E | Custom Converting
Understanding LOCTITE ABLESTIK ECF 561 and ECF 561E Electrically conductive epoxy films are often selected late in the design process, after mechanical layouts are finalized and electrical grounding requirements become unavoidable. Materials like LOCTITE ABLESTIK ECF...
Eccosorb™ LS: Flexible, Lossy Foam Absorbers for RF & Microwave Control
When engineers need a lightweight, flexible microwave absorber that delivers consistent lossy performance, Eccosorb™ LS is one of the most widely used absorber families available. Built from carbon-loaded polyurethane foam, Eccosorb LS provides strong insertion-loss...
Thermal Gap Filler Pads in EBikes & E-Scooters, Personal Electric | High W/m-K, Low Impedance
Personal electric vehicles — e-bikes, e-scooters, EUCs (electric unicycles), and even high-performance electric skateboards — have exploded over the last five years. What started as a convenience category has evolved into a serious engineering platform with high-power...
3M Polyethylene Foam Tapes: 4462, 4466, 4492, and 4496 (Including 4496B Variant)
3M polyethylene foam tapes are a trusted solution for sections where foam is needed along with sticky backing. Built on a closed-cell polyethylene foam core, these double-sided tapes provide conformability, shock absorption, and durable adhesion across metal, plastic,...
Gasketing for UL 48 Electric Signs/Electrical Signs: Getting the Details Right
Illuminated signs such as electronic billboards face long-term exposure to rain, sun, temperature swings, and vibration. UL 48, Standard for Electric Signs, sets the construction and safety requirements that make sure those signs stay reliable and safe for years. One...
3M™ Adhesive Transfer Tapes 965 & 966: Clean, Fuel-Resistant, and Converting-Ready
In demanding industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics, adhesives need to do more than just stick. They must remain clean, low outgassing, fuel- and chemical-resistant, and integrate smoothly into high-volume production environments. That’s exactly where...
Die-Cutting Thermal Pads: Why It’s the Best Method
Why Laser Cutting Doesn’t Work Thermal gap pads—silicone, urethane, or hybrids—don’t cooperate with lasers: Silicone-based pads: The laser chars the material, leaving burnt, brittle edges that flake. Urethane or silicone-free pads: Even without silicone, these pads...
Thermal Gap Filler TFLEX P300 | Polyimide Backed Gap Filler Pad
TFLEX™ P300: A Polyimide-Lined Gap Filler Built for Tough Thermal Challenges When it comes to managing heat in modern electronics, one size rarely fits all. From compact consumer devices to rugged aerospace modules, each design poses its own mechanical and thermal...
TG-A2200 Thermal Pad from T-Global | Thermal Pad of the Week!
When it comes to striking the right balance between performance, price, and manufacturability, T-Global’s TG-A2200 Ultra Soft Thermal Pad earns its place as a go-to mid-range option. Engineered for demanding applications where thermal performance matters but budgets...
Waterjet vs. Laser Cutting: Which Technique is Right for Your Project?
In today’s manufacturing landscape, precision laser and waterjet cutting plays a pivotal role in ensuring quality and efficiency. At New England Die Cutting (NEDC), we specialize in two of the most advanced cutting techniques: precision waterjet cutting and custom...
GORE® DRP Reflector | Laser-Cut | Diffuse Reflector Product
NEDC manufactures many laser-cut products. One example of these type products is DRP Reflectors. These reflectors manufactured by Gore help illuminate lights in many aerospace applications. In a cockpit, there are many different lights that are surrounding the pilots....
Waterproof Gasketing | Design Considerations for Water Sealing
The number one media everyone is trying to seal is water. When we hear liquid sealing, our first question is typically, “Well how much water, at what pressures, and how often?”. There are a number of "waterproof" standards. Typically NEDC considers the gasket immersed...
Silicone-Free Thermal Pads | Laird/DuPont | TFLEX SF10, SF800, SF600
When silicone contamination threatens your manufacturing line — from adhesive bonding failures to painting defects — TFlex silicone-free thermal pads from Laird/DuPont provide a high-performance alternative without the risk. NEDC stocks TFlex SF10, SF800, and SF600...
Clear/Transparent – Translucent Silicone Rubber Gasketing
NEDC manufactures gaskets of all sorts. There are many different types of silicone rubbers. It came as a surprise to me that we have not discussed transparent/clear, or translucent silicone rubber in the 250 odd blogs we have done. Properties of Clear/Transparent...
New Car | Gaskets Everywhere!
Gaskets are everywhere. I wanted to post a blog that discusses gaskets in everyday life. I recently bought a car, and thought I could discuss several places where I found gaskets during routine maintenance. Applications of Gaskets Oil Plug- On the oil plug, there is...
NEDC Releases New Graphic Showing Product Groupings!
This blog post is all about the image we releasing. In this image, NEDC is showing a die-cut insulator, a thermal pad, an RF absorber, some die-cut gaskets, and an epoxy film that are all present on a typical application that we might service
ABLESTIK 561K | In Stock At NEDC | Die-Cut, Laser-Cut
Ablefilm is a staple of the materials we cut at NEDC. in past blogs, we have discussed some of the electrically conductive options such as CF3350, or 5025E Ablefilm Epoxy Film. In a change of topics, we thought we would discuss an electrically insulative epoxy...
Video on Thermal Pad Comparisons, Thermal Conductivity is Not Everything!
In this episode, NEDC (the Network for Engineering and Device Cooling) conducts a detailed examination of two different types of thermal pads, focusing on how their thermal conductivity affects their performance in real-world applications. The primary distinction...
NEDC Launches Video Demonstrating How Thermal Pads Work!
In our video "How do Thermal Interface Pads/Thermal Gap Fillers Work? A Demo!", we explain the function and importance of thermal interface materials (TIMs) in electronic devices. TIMs, such as thermal pads and gap fillers, are used to bridge the gap between...
Frozen Epoxy Films in Stock at NEDC!
NEDC is a converter of frozen epoxy films to make custom preforms for customers to buy. For that reason, NEDC has many frozen films in stock. These include: Ablefilm 5025E Ablefilm 561K Ablefilm CF3350 Ablefilm 566K And others. We wanted to just get it out there on...
Thin Gasketing, Thin Gauge Gaskets | .015”, & Below
Applications get smaller, and smaller everyday. As footprints of the electronics we serve get thinner, and lighter i.e electronic signs, tablets, and other peripherals, the gasketing must get thinner to accommodate it. We have customers come in all the time looking...
Long Shelf Life Electrically Conductive Single/Double | EMI Shielding Tapes
We are a 3M converter, and if I’m being honest, I don’t throw a party everytime they come out with a new product. I like new copper foil products, and new VHB Tapes just like the next guy, but nothing gets me going like: “LONGER SHELF LIFE ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE...
Garlock BLUE-GARD Gasketing Options | Waterjet/Die-Cutting
At NEDC, engineered options are our thing. In this blog, we wanted to discuss all of the Garlock options that are under the BLUE-GARD® brand. These materials are non-asbestos, aramid fiber gaskets that are compressed with different binders. Popular Garlock BLUE-GARD®...
R10400M (Medium) Flame Retardant Silicone Sponge | Custom Die-Cut Parts
Silicone Sponge, and Silicone Foam are different. I’ve talked about that in another blog on our website. Both have desirable properties. Some have good physical properties, and some have good flame retardant properties. There are some products that can actually be...
Thermal Pad vs. Thermal Grease/Mica
One common question I hear engineers ask about is if it's better to have Mica/Grease or Sil-Pad products. Obviously, I’m partial to this, but I wanted to give some thoughts I had about Mica/Grease, and why I think it has its place, but why I think in a manufacturing...
Die-Cutting vs Laser Cutting, Epoxy Preforms: Part 2
I had a customer call the other day, saying he heard that laser cutting was better than die-cutting for frozen epoxy preforms. Heres the thought I had in my head “Why does this keep coming up!?” Heres my thought, and then I’m going dive into every advantage, and...
IP Ratings – Gaskets & Ratings | Particles/Liquid Ingress
IP (Ingress Protection or International Protection) ratings are a common way to define how protected an electrical enclosure is from foreign matter that does not belong in the said enclosure. Gaskets are frequently used to provide the protection set forth in this...
Thermal Interface Pads/Liquids for Solid State Drives(SSDs)
As the industry moves from hard-drives(HDDs) to solid-state drives(SSDs). SSDs offer significant advantages over their hard drive counterparts. However, since SSDs operate through an electrical current, they still get hot- just like every electronic. Heat continues to...
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Ultra-Thin Thermal Performance with Tflex™ UT20000- Custom Die Cut
As electronics continue to shrink and power densities rise, thermal...
PORON® Soft-Seal: Ultra-Compliant Sealing for Thin, Sensitive Assemblies
When designers need a gasket material that seals reliably at very...
