Shielding Bags, Manufacturing a Quality Choice

May 1999
Desco Industries, Inc.
Mike Malkasian

The static dissipative polyethylene ESD Systems uses in all of our bags is far superior than the "topically treated washed" products.

Our bags are made with volume loaded polyethylene which cannot be washed off and is inherent in the film. The PE resin that we use and all the additives are developed to minimize contamination.

We also have worked with our film supplier to permanently solve the greasy film issue, which leaves a sticky oily film on the users hands and product. In 1996 working with our film supplier we incorporated into the structure of the film an "easy open" capability which now makes it much easier to open the bags.

The polyethylene and polyester films that are used to make up the film that of our bags are FDA approved, are user friendly, and do not emit odors. All organic solvents are thoroughly evaporated in our vendors processing ovens.

I have clearly described why the film that we use in the manufacturing of our bags is far superior to the "topically" treated commodity films that are being used and converted into bags by other converters.

The 2nd reason is our converting process.

Our machines have been engineered and designed to manufacture and convert supported static shielding films specifically for the electronics market. Because our core business is ESD, the bags that we make and the film that we process are of the highest quality and performance of any ESD company in the world.

Our cutting edge technology for the film and the manufacturing of the bags are always being reviewed and improved upon.

We don't deal with just any raw material supplier. This allows us to be consistent and not substitute inferior commodity type films that are driven by price.

Our bag making machines are the best in the world for converting very specific high-end static shielding films. Our machines don't compromise the "FARADY®" layer. We achieve this by producing a "SOFT" fold to the bottom of the bag.

The bottom portion of the bag does not come in contact with the drive rolls of the machine that can in fact "crease" the film and fracture the aluminum layer that creates the "FARADAY(r)" cage. I believe that we are the only ones in the world that do this and can guarantee the every bag from the 1st bag to the millionth bag maintains the Faraday® cage.

On our machines all of the rollers are covered with soft cork, foam and Teflon coverings so we do not scratch the interior or exterior of the film. Our machines have 2 sealing bars that in parallel with the our high performance polyethylene interior sealing layer produces one of the strongest bag seals in the market. It also allows us to run at significantly higher running speeds, which makes us the lowest cost producer of shielding bags in the market today.

We also have a "chiller" bar, which after the bag has been heat-sealed chills the polyester and polyethylene layers. This process allows us to cool the plastic layers and prevents the finished bag from distorting. It also allows our machines to run faster and produces a "clean" sealing edge.

Our machines run what we call "2 up". Our machines are actually 2 machines built into one. This allows us to be the lowest cost producers in the business.

We run 2 shifts a day and carry over 1.5 million bags in stock that are ready for immediate shipment. We have the capacity to produce over 3 million bags a week.

To summarize, not all shielding bags are the same on the surface. They may look the same but in fact they are not. The market place is also starting to ask serious questions about the interior of the bags. It is important to know and specify how the static dissipative properties are obtained. Because our products are volume loaded they are superior to the surface treated plain polyethylene films that still are being supplied to other converters.

Another concern is contamination. The question should be directed at the issue of what effect the antistatic generating technique has on your product. Seriously question the issue of amine versus amide because most suppliers in their effects to create an amine free product use amides. Also question the ability to regulate this property. How is the wash coat applied to the PE surface in the product? Too much antistatic grease ends up just where you don't want it.... on the component. It is also not unreasonable to ask for ion extraction data. These are serious sources of contamination.

In summary, all bags are not created alike. Ask the hard questions and demand to see the performance data of your product. It will be available lot by lot from reputable suppliers.

Statshield®, Statfree®, and Faraday® are Registered Trademarks of Desco Industries Inc.