Presenting Fusion Labeling Technology At Plastics In Motion 2020
Plastics In Motion Conference 2020 is the perfect setting for automotive plastics professionals to gather along with other leaders in the automotive industry with the aim of sharing innovations, ideas, knowledge, and ultimately, to shed light on exciting new technologies for plastics applications in transportation.
Representing Polyfuze Graphics Corporation at the conference, were Ed Trueman / Executive Consultant and featured speaker Jason Brownell who is Director of Engineering for Polyfuze Graphics Corporation.
Their presentation focused on educating the audience about the unique technology the organization has provided to the plastics industry for over 30 years, known as “Fusion Labeling Technology.”
Fusion Labeling Technology of plastic surfaces was invented back in the 80’s by Michael Stevenson, who saw a need in the plastics industry and believed he could provide a solution. Because Olefin based plastics are Low Surface Energy (LSE), trying to get a sticker or a hot stamp foil to “stick” or adhere to the surface of the plastic is impossible, and it’s only a matter of time before the label will fade, crack, peel, and eventually fall off entirely.
He realized that this problem was an issue not only for companies that simply want their brand name or logo to permanently identify their durable plastic, but on a more serious and perhaps more important level, a company could be deeply at risk or a consumer at risk of danger, if something as important as a warning or safety label could not be trusted to be truly permanent.
Top Tether safety latch for car seats, shown behind passenger seat. Fueled by his desire to solve the problem, Michael Stevenson figured out a method that completely bypassed the need for any adhesion whatsoever, instead, the labeling product he invented fuses deeply on a molecular level to the subsurface of the plastic. The technology is the only of its kind in the world, and it exceeds all the required automotive industry standards with flying colors. Current users of fusion labeling technology in the automotive world include Ford and General Motors. They join a list of over one thousand companies that feature the world’s top kayak brands, Rubbermaid, Yeti Coolers, Whirlpool Corporation and Lifetime. Each of these organizations recognize the value of permanent labeling of plastic parts, and what it means for their brand image and production efficiency. Even more important, they understand the value permanent labeling for olefin plastic parts provides to consumers when safety and warning labels are involved.
Top Tether safety latch for car seats, shown behind passenger seat. By targeting the definition of the word “permanent,” Jason and Ed spoke to their audience about how labeling standards have not kept up with the ever-changing automotive (among other industries) industry standards, and in fact, have fallen behind.
“The meaning of the word “permanent” has been manipulated. We will challenge the claims of adhesive based decorating methods for Low Surface Energy (LSE) plastics. We intend to bring to light the risks of using warning labels sold as “permanent,” when in fact the data shows otherwise. This will include the environmental and chemical testing for durability. We aim to illustrate that the history behind current testing methods for labels has not kept up with the industry, and that the methods used for testing are in fact, outdated. New standards are warranted to protect OEM’s and consumers alike from risk.”
When it’s absolutely vital for a warning or safety label to be permanent on a plastic part, Polyfuze Graphics Corporation exists to provide that solution. One label, one time, guaranteed for life.
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