Thin, lightweight materials are widely used for bonding components, making multi-layer components, adding insulation, or as textured or protective coverings in electronics, aerospace, healthcare, and other industrial applications. Precision lamination is the process of applying layers of material on top of or between other components to join, protect, or strengthen them. Embossing is used to add permanent surface textures or create shapes in flat, thin materials.
Robert McKeown Company specializes in laminating and embossing services with materials including films, tapes, pressure-sensitive adhesives, insulation films, EMI shielding materials, foils, overlays, and many other materials.
Learn more about our industrial lamination and embossing capabilities, and metal tag fabrication services.
Industrial Laminating Services for PSA and Insulation Materials
Lamination is a process where two or layers of a thin material are bonded together, usually with heat, pressure, or a combination of both. Depending on the type of material used and its properties, laminating layers can provide strength, protection from physical damage, insulation, and other functionals without adding much weight or changing component dimensions. Lamination is also a way to apply pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) to components for bonding.
Common laminating applications include, but are not limited to:
- Pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes with or without release liners.
- Polyimide films, such as for silicone foam or thermal or electrical insulation.
- Conductive fabrics for EMI shielding or other electrical applications.
- PTFE films for reinforcing fiberglass and other materials.
Pre-laminated, die-cut or rotary-cut components reduce the need to apply separate adhesives and coatings, and also make installation faster and easier.
Custom Embossing Service for Films, Foils, and Tapes
Embossing creates raised or recessed patterns in flat, flexible materials through mechanical forming. Our film embossing capabilities modify materials like silicone, polyester, polyimide, and PTFE substrates for use in specialized applications, without compromising base material properties. This technique is used in a variety of ways to improve performance, functionality, safety, or appearance, including:
- Adding textured surfaces to improve grip, increase surface area on an object to improve adhesion, or create channels for air release during lamination.
- Patterned surfaces on release liners prevent adhesive transfer during unwinding.
- Textured foils that create air gaps to improve conductivity in thermal applications.
- Dimpled patterns on adhesive tapes allow for repositioning during installation.
- Embossed air channels prevent bubbles from forming when bonding large-area gaskets or shielding components.
We work from customer-supplied tooling or develop embossing patterns matched to specific assembly processes. Pattern depth and spacing are controlled based on material thickness and application requirements.
Metal Embossing for ID Tags and Harsh Environment Uses
Metal embossing creates permanent raised or sunken markings in thin metal substrates, including but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, and brass. Because they physically deform the material, embossed characters and logos remain legible even after exposure to chemicals, abrasion, UV radiation, and temperature cycling. In contrast printed labels or ink-based markings can dissolve or wear away over time due to operating conditions.
Embossed metal tags are versatile and highly durable for labeling or tracking, including:
- Marking industrial equipment or machinery with identification numbers.
- Nameplates for doors, furnishings, or walls.
- Tracking vessels or containers in oil and gas operations.
Embossing is suitable for material ranging from 0.010 in. to 0.125 in. thick. We process sheet stock or work with pre-cut blanks supplied by customers.
Why Choose Robert McKeown Company for Laminating and Embossing?
Our precision laminating services and embossing services address a variety of performance needs, from bonding to insulating to thermal management and beyond. We work with adhesives, epoxies, coatings, films, silicones, tapes, foils, and other materials from a variety of industry-leading suppliers in order to develop custom solutions for electronics, avionics, medical, and other uses.
A veteran-owned company, Robert McKeown Company is ISO 9001, AS9001, and ITAR certified, and committed to quality and responsive service. Contact us to discuss your application requirements and how our material options and fabrication capabilities can help.