Insulectro Names Tim Redfern President of Printed Electronics Division

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Insulectro has named veteran industry exec Tim Redfern to helm its new printed electronics division. Redfern is managing partner of Redfern Partners and a past president and CEO of Insulectro.

“We’ve been involved in printed electronics materials distribution for the past few years,” commented Redfern, “During that time, we’ve watched the industry evolve and diversify into many markets including wearables, in-mold circuits, medical, power, heaters, and more. We felt now was the time to increase our investment on a larger scale.”

Insulectro Printed Electronics offers advanced materials from such leading suppliers such as DuPont, Coveme, Chromaline, and Kodak to sell conductive inks, substrates, and consumables.

Insulectro distributes key DuPont polymer thick film paste products to U.S. customers in the thin film photovoltaic, wearables, capacitive switch, touch screen, RFID smart card, heating and membrane switch markets. In addition, Insulectro Printed Electronics distributes conductive inks, carbon conductors and UV dielectrics on behalf of DuPont and has recently taken on DuPont’s line of high-temperature fired-on inks.

“We are excited to step up our game in printed electronics. Unlike others, we are a one-source supplier for PE manufacturers with our complete offerings of essential and cutting-edge materials. With 11 stocking locations throughout North America, we are where our customers are,” said Kevin Miller, vice president of sales for Insulectro Printed Electronics.

“We developed a strong sales and service model, and four fabrication centers on the PCB-side of our business,” Tim Redfern added, “That wealth of knowledge transfers readily to printed electronics. Now, Insulectro’s Printed Electronics Division is poised to make a big impact in that industry.”

Recently, Insulectro was named distributor for DuPont’s Tedlar protective film and its in-mold inks.

“In-Mold conductive inks are a perfect union of form and function. The technology combines an innovative, more stretchable material with dramatic advancements in electronic ink to give interface designers new creative freedom, without any compromise in meeting functional switching needs,” Miller continued. “And because these new electronic inks work with existing in-mold decorative processes, there’s no need for costly re-tooling. Fabricators can create products with greater eye appeal, simplicity, and performance—all at the same time.”

In addition to the inks, Insulectro Printed Electronics has an impressive portfolio of exceptional substrates from such manufacturers as Saint Gobain, Kodak, and Coveme. Coveme’s Film Insert Moulding (FIM) is a cost-effective process to produce a plastic part using a 3 steps process. Their technology introduces in the market a new solution based on a high deep thermoforming bi-oriented polyester film with special coating on both sides that enhances printability, scratch resistance and formability.

Plus, Coveme’s Kemafoil KTF HC and HCH is clear bi-oriented thermoformable polyester film, treated one or two sides. KTF HC is treated outside with a dual cure coating with abrasion and scratch resistance (after UV curing).

 “DuPont is the predominant manufacturer of silver, copper, carbon, and dielectric inks. Insulectro offers them all. Whether your application is membrane touch switches, printable heaters, or ceramic substrates, there is an advanced material for your needs. And, in the wearables market, stretchable inks are rewriting the electronics gamebook. In our booth, you’ll see real examples of cutting-edge technologies just about to hit the commercial market. We have a very robust line card for both inks and substrates,” Miller stated.

 “Insulectro Printed Electronics will be home-based in Insulectro’s Mega-Booth #625 at IPC APEX EXPO 2019, January 29-31, at the San Diego Convention Center. There’s lots of excitement this year in our booth co-joined by DuPont and Isola and all of Insulectro’s world-class suppliers. Stop and see us and let’s get acquainted. Wherever you are manufacturing printed electronics – Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Silicon Valley, Southern California, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Northwest, Northeast or Mid-Atlantic – we are there to service you,” Redfern concluded.

About Insulectro

Insulectro is the largest supplier of PCB and PE materials. Insulectro combines its premier product offering with local inventory in strategic stocking locations across the country, fabrication capabilities and backed up by expert customer and technical support services.

Insulectro supplies advanced engineered materials manufactured by DuPont Advanced Materials, Kodak, Chromaline, 3M, Coveme, DuPont Circuit & Packaging Materials, Isola, LCOA, CAC, Inc., Integral Technology, Pacothane, Oak Mitsui, Shikoku, Saint Gobain, and Focus Tech Chemicals.