BASF Solutions for the Office Equipment Industry

Transcription

1 BASF Solutions for the Office Equipment Industry

2 BASF Solutions for Office Equipment Office equipment is one of today s most competitive industries. In addition to having continuous technological development at an ever-increasing pace, this market constantly seeks ways to reduce product costs. The dynamics of this global industry require suppliers who can offer fast, competitive and innovative solutions, and guarantee the supply of high-quality products in all regions of the world. BASF The Company BASF is one of the world s largest chemical companies. Our core businesses include Health and Nutrition, Colorants and Finishing Products, Chemicals, Plastics and Fibers, and Oil and Gas. With highly integrated production facilities throughout the world, BASF is a global player, achieving high levels of quality and cost effectiveness, and fast delivery. Worldwide research facilities are coordinated for maximum effectiveness in developing innovative solutions for future markets. BASF Group consists of over 400 associated companies with more than 100,000 employees and production facilities in more than 39 countries. In 1999, BASF Group generated sales of over $30 billion. BASF Plastics A Core Business Plastics is a core business for BASF. BASF Group is among the world s largest plastic manufacturers, with one of the most comprehensive range of products. BASF s technology and cost leadership, together with strong participation in markets worldwide and continuous development of plastic products that satisfy customer requirements, are key factors for growth in plastics. Plastics and Fibers has the highest sales among all of BASF s businesses, contributing about 25% of total revenue. BASF is dedicated to globalizing its business and meeting the needs of key markets and its customers. With production and compounding facilities in Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Malaysia, Korea and China, BASF offers global sourcing from modern 2 plants close to the manufacturing locations of our customers. For example, two of the largest and most technologically advanced ABS production plants in the world recently came on stream in Korea and Mexico. Another example is our new polystyrene plant in China, which is part of an integrated styrene facility. Global Office Equipment Team In order to meet the specific requirements of the office equipment market, BASF has created a global team of industry experts located in the U.S., South East Asia, Japan and Europe. This team supports OEMs, contract manufacturers and molders, and coordinates activities in all regions. Its members represent the entire range of BASF plastics and cooperate closely with local BASF sales and technical service units. The office equipment team is dedicated to understanding the specific needs of our customers and to using BASF s capabilities to help our partners develop their business and maintain their competitive edge. Technical Service BASF provides strong support to its customers in all areas of design, development and production. Whether in material selection, cost evaluation, design feasibility evaluation, mold design, processing and manufacturing optimization, product testing or recycling, BASF s expertise and advanced applications technology can help you to convert new ideas into successful products. BASF The Products BASF s comprehensive range of plastic products provides our customers flexibility in selecting plastics that will deliver the best solutions to their needs. Offering a wide range of plastics, from commodity plastics for cost sensitive housing applications to high-performance engineering plastics for demanding mechanical, electrical or electronic components, BASF can help you improve the performance of your products. For office equipment applications, the following selection of products is especially interesting. Polystyrol Styroblend PC Terluran Terlux Luran Ultramid Ultramid T Ultradur Ultradur S Ultraform Ultrason S Ultrason E (HIPS) (HIPS) (ABS) (MABS) (SAN) (PA6, PA66) (PA 6/6T) (PBT) (PBT/ASA) (POM) (PSU) (PES)

3 Application Solutions CPUs Plastics are widely used in housings for personal computers, servers and workstations, as well as net computers and web devices. Plastics not only make high-volume production cost effective, but also enable sophisticated design solutions. Modern injection molding technology provides the flexibility needed to address dynamic market demands and to implement just-in-time or built-to-order strategies. Most standard box-shaped computers still consist of a metal housing combined with a plastic front and back cover. However, several manufacturers have successfully introduced all-plastic computer housings combined with internal electromagnetic shielding which have proven to be superior to standard solutions. All-plastic housings are becoming even more interesting with the recent trend to developing smaller units and creating more sophisticated designs. Terluran ABS from BASF is successfully used for computer front and rear covers, as well as for all-plastic computer housings, with excellent surface quality and physical properties. Polystyrol HIPS from BASF has also performed successfully in computer covers and housings. It not only meets technical and aesthetic requirements, but also offers the most cost effective solution for this application. Furthermore, BASF offers Styroblend PC, a pre-colored HIPS compound, developed to meet even the most stringent industry requirements in UV stability and color-fastness. Terlux MABS, transparent ABS from BASF, provides attractive design options for transparent or translucent housings and housing components. It combines excellent transparency and good mechanical properties with the ease of processing of ABS. Luran SAN offers cost advantages for transparent components with superior surface aesthetics. Because of its high modulus Luran offers superior strength and dimensional stability. Printers and Scanners Extreme cost pressure, especially in the inkjet printer market, is creating demand for economic solutions which still fulfill tough technical and aesthetic requirements. Consequently Terluran ABS, Polystyrol HIPS and Styroblend PC HIPS have become standard products for inkjet printer housings and are well suited for scanner housings and lids. For laser printers Terluran ABS and Polystyrol HIPS can also be used for paper trays and housing components, where ignition-resistant plastics are not required. Terlux MABS is successfully used for transparent and translucent printer components, while Luran SAN is wellsuited for transparent components with high rigidity, toughness and aesthetic requirements, such as paper tray covers and decorative parts. In order to further reduce manufacturing costs, plastics are also used for internal frames (chassis, backbone) of printers. Metal has been the material of choice for these very complex and demanding components. Switching to plastic reduces the total number of components, minimizes assembly efforts and can integrate many additional functions. BASF offers glass fiber-reinforced Terluran ABS and Luran SAN compounds, developed to fulfill the technical requirements for printer chassis while providing significant cost advantages to metal and other specialty plastics. Toner and ink cartridges for printers and copiers have become an important segment for manufacturers and OEMs. Depending on mechanical and thermal loads, printer and cartridge design, chemical resistance to ink, toner and solvents, and specific requirements of each manufacturer, a wide range of plastics are used. BASF offers solutions for most toner and ink cartridge applications with products ranging from Polystyrol HIPS for basic toner cartridges to high performance plastics, such as Ultrason S PSU for highend inkjet cartridges. For transparent cartridges Terlux MABS and Luran SAN offer outstanding chemical resistance and well-balanced physical properties. Monitors and Displays Most CRT monitor housings are still made from ignition-resistant plastics. The growing importance of eco-labels, such as TCO, Blue Angel and the European Flower which demand halogen-free ignitionresistant plastics, and the ongoing challenge for product improvement and cost reduction require new material solutions for monitor housings. As several manufacturers have shown, it is possible to fulfill the requirements of globally accepted safety standards, such as IEC 950 and UL1950, by using plastics rated UL94-HB without special flame-retardant additives. This can be achieved by introducing an internal metal fire enclosure designed to fulfill these safety requirements. 3

4 Many CRT monitors are equipped with a metal EMI shielding which generally can be easily modified to function as a fire enclosure at no additional cost. The combination of a metal fire enclosure and an HB-rated plastic housing fulfills the requirements of all eco-labels and offers significant potential cost savings for monitor manufacturers and OEMs. Terluran ABS is successfully used for CRT monitor back covers, front bezels and pedestals, giving our customers an advantage in this highly competitive environment. Polystyrol HIPS and Styroblend PC HIPS are mostly used for cost-critical components, such as pedestals, and have already shown their potential for monitor back covers. Given rapidly decreasing prices of flat panel displays, cost pressure in this segment is also growing. The excellent properties and superior surface quality of Terluran ABS, enable manufacturers to replace more expensive plastic housings without sacrificing quality. Peripherals Peripherals, including keyboards, mice, joysticks, external drives and modems, have to fulfill many specific requirements. They must offer sufficient chemical resistance for skin contact, provide good abrasion resistance, and be durable for everyday use. 4 Polystyrol HIPS and Styroblend PC HIPS are established products for keyboard housings, and Terluran ABS is used for keycaps, and mouse and joystick housings. The same applications can be realized with transparent or translucent Terlux MABS. In general, Terluran ABS and Terlux MABS can be molded in the same mold, thus providing the flexibility to produce colored and transparent parts depending on market demands. For highquality keyboards, keycaps made from Ultradur PBT have proven to withstand frequent operations. Polystyrol HIPS, Styroblend PC HIPS, Terluran ABS and Ultradur PBT are available in colors optimized for laserprinting. As a response to growing market demand, BASF also supplies special Ultraform acetal (POM) grades in dark colors for laserprinting. These products offer superior white printing quality and have excellent wear characteristics, making them ideal for use in high-quality keyboards for both desktops and portable computers. For external drive and modem housings Terluran ABS and Polystyrol HIPS are superior materials, delivering a high level of durability and cost effectiveness. Again, Terlux MABS can be used for transparent or translucent design variations using the same molds as Terluran ABS. Components As a leading supplier of engineering plastics, BASF offers products for many office equipment components, as described in the following section. Fan units Fan units are a vital component of electronic equipment, and must be small, efficient and quiet. Ultramid nylons (PA6, PA66) and Ultradur PBT have proven ideal for fan units, offering high dimensional stability, strength, stiffness and fatigue resistance combined with excellent processing properties. BASF offers a wide range of unreinforced, reinforced and ignition-resistant grades, including several halogen-free Ultramid nylon grades.

5 growing demand for halogen-free PCB materials Ultramid T nylon and Ultrason E PES are ignition-resistant, without halogenated flame retardants. Transformers and Motors For bobbins, coil formers, transformer housings, motors, and other electrical components BASF offers a variety of ignition-resistant products, such as Ultramid nylons (PA6, PA66), Ultramid T nylon (PA 6/6T), Ultradur PBT, Ultrason S PSU and Ultrason E PES, including several halogen-free products. Product ratings for insulation systems according to UL1446 are available. Mechanical Components BASF engineering plastics are excellent materials for use in mechanical components of computers, printers, peripherals and other devices. The wide variety of grades available allows the right product to be found for each application. Ultraform acetal (POM) is ideal for highwear applications, such as gears, rollers, springs, guides, fittings, levers axles, and bushings. Ultramid nylons (PA6, PA66) combine strength, stiffness and heat resistance with outstanding toughness. Ultradur PBT offers excellent mechanical properties, superior heat aging performance and good dimensional stability, even under extreme conditions. Ultrason S PSU and Ultrason E PES can withstand high continuous operating temperatures, and provide good dimensional stability. Excellent creep resistance also makes these products ideal for mechanical components operating at normal temperatures. Environmental Issues The environmental impact of office equipment products is an important issue in today s global marketplace. Plastics help in developing environmentally sound solutions and reduce the environmental impact of a product over its life cycle. All BASF housing products, such as Polystyrol HIPS, Styroblend PC HIPS, Terluran ABS and Terlux MABS, fulfill requirements of eco-labels, including TCO, Blue Angel, Nordic Swan and the European Flower. BASF also offers several halogen-free ignition-resistant engineering plastics, such as Ultramid nylons (PA6, PA66), Ultramid T nylon (PA 6/6T), Ultrason S PSU and Ultrason E PES. We support our customers in Design for Environment (DFE), for example helping you optimize a product for easy disassembly and recycling. Connectors BASF also offers plastics for the wide variety of connectors used in office equipment: from Terluran ABS for basic connectors, to Ultramid nylons (PA6, PA66) and Ultradur PBT for sophisticated electrical and electronic connectors, to high temperature-resistant plastics, such as Ultramid T nylon (PA6/6T), Ultrason S PSU and Ultrason E PES for even the most demanding connector applications. Printed Circuit Boards High-performance thermoplastic materials are an alternative to standard PCB materials, such as FR4, for selected applications. 3-dimensional injection molded circuit boards with complex designs can be realized, integrating many functions, including connectors, snap-fits or mountings, within a small volume. Ultramid T nylon and Ultrason E PES can be used in 2-D and 3-D-structures, Surface Mounted Device (SMD) technology, and most soldering techniques. To meet 5

6 Thanks to our global presence, we can help in understanding specific needs of different regions and developing efficient solutions. BASF supports its customers with extensive expertise in systems for evaluating ecological issues related to plastics and their applications. These include eco-balances, and continuous optimization of products and systems for recycling plastics waste. Logistics and Coloring Logistics and coloring are important considerations in the dynamic global office equipment market. BASF is dedicated to finding optimum solutions for our customers. Considering either precolored products in large quantities from our production plants, smaller volumes produced by certified color houses and compounders, or the use of natural resins and masterbatch, we are ready to discuss the best choice for a specific application. BASF offers global grades of Polystyrol HIPS and Terluran ABS, produced according to worldwide standards and available in all regions. With production in all major parts of the world including Southeast Asia, Europe and NAFTA, BASF is a reliable supplier. Important: While the desciptions, designs, data and information contained herein are presented in good faith and believed to be accurate, it is provided for your guidance only. Because many factors may affect processing or applicaton/use, we recommend that you make tests to determine the suitability of a product for your particular purpose prior to use. NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE REGARDING PROUCTS DESCRIBED OR DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH, OR THAT THE PRODUCTS, DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT INFRINGING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS. IN NO CASE SHALL THE DESCRIPTIONS, INFORMATION, DATA OR DESIGNS PROVIDED BE CONSIDERED A PART OF OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE. Further, you expressly understand and agree that the descriptions, designs, data and information furnished by BASF hereunder are provided gratis and BASF assumes no obligation or liability for the description, designs, data and information given or results obtained, all such being given and accepted at your risk. 6

7 Global Office Equipment Team Contacts NAFTA Headquarters BASF Corporation Plastic Materials 3000 Continental Drive - North Mount Olive, New Jersey Tel: 800-BC-RESIN Fax: BASF Corporation Polystyrene Business Group 3000 Continental Drive - North Mount Olive, New Jersey Tel: Fax: BASF Corporation Plastics Applications Center 1609 Biddle Avenue Wyandotte, Michigan Tel: TECH Smart Fax System BASF Plastics product and processing information at your fingertips TOP-FAX1 or (outside the U.S.) BASF Canada 345 Carlingview Drive Toronto, Ontario M9W 6N9 Canada Tel: Fax: BASF Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Av. Insurgentes Sur 975 Col. Cuidad de los Deportes Delegación Benito Juarez México, D.F. México Tel: Fax: Europe BASF AG D Ludwigshafen, Germany Copolymer Infopoint (ABS, MABS, SAN) Tel: +49 (0) Fax: +49 (0) copo.infopoint@basf-ag.de Engineering Plastics Infopoint (PA, PBT, POM, PSU, PES) Tel: +49 (0) Fax: +49 (0) ultraplaste.infopoint@msm.basf-ag.de Polystyrene Infopoint (HIPS) Tel. +49 (0) Fax. +49 (0) polystyrol.infopoint@basf-ag.de South East Asia BASF South East Asia Pte Ltd. 7 Temasek Boulevard Suntec Tower One Singapore Tel: Fax: Japan BASF Japan Ltd. Nanbu Bldg. 3-3 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102 Tel: (3) Fax: (3) Internet Site plastics@basf.com for plastic materials ps-infopoint@basf.com for polystyrene Ultramid, Ultrason, Ultradur, Ultraform, Styroblend, Terluran and Luran are registered trademarks of BASF AG. Terlux and slogan are registered trademarks of BASF Corporation. We don t make your products. We make your products better BASF Corporation Printed in USA OE 10/00/3K