TURNKEY ASSEMBLIES
FEWER SKU'S
REDUCED REJECTS
MORE OPTIONS
LOWER COSTS
In addition to molding optical-grade plastics, Criterion offers a variety of turnkey options. Criterion’s capabilities provide a cost reduction for customers by reducing the number of SKU’s in their system and decreasing the rejects from their internal assembly process. Criterion’s assembly methods include mechanical, ultrasonic welding, laser welding and UV cured gluing. With the addition of a TOSH pad printing system, Criterion can add custom logos for virtually no additional cost. Criterion is proud to offer several, unique assembly methods that meet IK-10+, IP66, IP54, NEMA 4 and other environmental requirements.
Mechanical Assemblies
Mechanical assemblies continue to be a popular option with customers. Criterion works with customer-specified suppliers or independently sourced customer-engineered hardware to provide individually boxed dome/trim ring assemblies with a variety of safety cables, gaskets, tamper resistant screws and more, completely assembled. With Criterion’s “ship-to-stock” status with customers, the dome assembly is shipped directly to the distribution center without any other manufacturing steps required. Reduced handling equals reduced scrap, which equates to cost savings.
GLUE
Criterion utilizes robotics to apply a thin layer of adhesive between the dome and trim ring to provide a more robust assembly. Robotics allows for a consistent bead that is tailored to the customer’s specification. Multiple short sections can be used to add a layer of safety to mechanical assemblies. A full bead of adhesive around the perimeter of the product and around all bosses, can provide an air tight assembly without additional O-rings and gaskets.
Ultrasonic Welding
Depending on the compatibility of the materials, ultrasonic welding works similar to adhesives. If the dome material and trim ring material are compatible, and if energy directors are molded into the part, Criterion’s Branson welders can meet IP66 requirements without gaskets, O-rings, or adhesive. Customers who work with Criterion’s engineering staff at the beginning of product development can take advantage of 30+ years of expertise in the part design elements needed for ultrasonic welding.
LASER WELDING
Criterion’s custom designed laser welding process permanently join materials using the radiation from a focused, energy-dense, beam of infrared light. This non-contact welding process minimizes thermal and mechanical stresses, and provides an extremely small heat affected zone, thus ensuring that components are exposed to the least hostile welding environment possible. Laser welding can provide IP68 and IK-10+ compatible sealing of the dome to the trim ring. As with ultrasonic welding, material selection is key. Working with Criterion’s engineering staff during product development can ensure a customer’s design takes advantage of the assembly method best suited for the end use.
PAD PRINTING
The newest manufacturing process available to Criterion’s customers is four color pad printing. Criterion’s investment in pad printing allows for customer branding to be printed in line with either the molding process or the assembly process. Printing as part of the single piece flow reduces the labor cost to nearly zero. Most custom fixtures for pad printing are designed and built onsite, thereby reducing startup expenses. Customers provide their custom artwork and color palette. Criterion and our partners develop the fixtures, plates, and inks. Pad printing is RoHS and REACH friendly.
