At Novapor, we develop innovative packaging and transport solutions that are specifically designed to meet the needs of our customers. One area that requires special attention is the protection of printed circuit boards (PCBs). PCBs are sensitive components used in a wide variety of electronic machines and devices. They must be protected from various hazards during transport, storage and assembly. Today we would like to show you how we package printed circuit boards safely and introduce you to our innovative solutions and materials that ensure that your circuit boards are always optimally protected.
Challenges in protecting printed circuit boards
Printed circuit boards are extremely sensitive to external influences. Two of the biggest dangers that can occur during transport and storage are electrostatic discharge (ESD) and mechanical stress such as vibrations and shocks.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
One of the biggest threats to electronic components is electrostatic discharge. Even a small voltage can be enough to cause irreversible and irreparable damage to a PCB. Therefore, it is crucial that packaging solutions for PCBs are ESD safe to protect these sensitive components from electrostatic damage.
Vibrations and shocks
Printed circuit boards are also susceptible to mechanical influences. Vibrations and shocks can cause physical damage that impairs functionality or shortens the service life of the components. A suitable packaging solution must therefore be able to effectively absorb these mechanical stresses.
The customized solutions from Novapor
At Novapor, we develop packaging solutions that are precisely customized to these requirements. Our expertise lies in creating individual solutions that offer protection against both ESD and mechanical stress.
Safe ESD packaging
Our safe ESD packaging solutions are designed to dissipate electrostatic charges and thus protect sensitive PCBs from damage. We use special materials and coatings that ensure a safe environment for your components.
Shock-absorbing packaging
In addition to ESD protection, we attach great importance to protection against vibrations and shocks. Our packaging is equipped with shock-absorbing materials that retain the energy of shocks and vibrations. This ensures that printed circuit boards remain undamaged even under harsher conditions.
Customized solutions
Custom solutions: Every application is unique, which is why we offer customized solutions. Our engineers work closely with you to develop packaging that is tailored exactly to your specific requirements. This way we ensure that your boards are optimally protected throughout the entire process - from production to assembly.
Protective packaging for printed circuit boards: foam inserts
Our foam inserts are not only robust and protective, but also available in special designs. Depending on your needs, we provide foam products in antistatic or electrically conductive versions. Our solutions additional protection against electrostatic discharges that could damage sensitive PCBs. In this way, we ensure that your electronic components are optimally protected not only from mechanical influences but also from electrical risks during transport and storage.
Tote partitions and dividers for PCBs: secure hold and maximum protection
Printed circuit boards require secure hold during transport and storage to avoid damage. Tote dividers and partitions offer an excellent solution for keeping circuit boards neatly separated and safe. At Novapor, we manufacture partitions made of various materials, including corrugated polypropylene sheets, corrugated cardboard and foam, all designed to meet your specific requirements.
Corrugated polypropylene sheets
Our corrugated polypropylene sheets are particularly strong and durable, making them ideal for repeated use. The material is robust, moisture-resistant and offers excellent protection against mechanical stress. These sheets are light yet strong, making them perfect for the safe transport of PCBs. You can find out more about corrugated polypropylene sheets here.
Corrugated cardboard
Corrugated cardboard dividers are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective option. They offer solid protection and are ideal for one-way applications or short transport routes. Corrugated cardboard is light and flexible, but strong enough to hold printed circuit boards securely in place and protect them from shocks and vibrations. We also have corrugated cardboard in ESD variants. You can find out more about corrugated cardboard here.
Foam
Foam tote partitions and dividers offer particularly soft padding and are ideal for protecting sensitive PCBs. The foam adapts to the shape of the boards and offers excellent shock absorption. We can also produce the foam solutions in an antistatic or electrically conductive version to provide additional protection against electrostatic discharges. We offer a variety of foam materials: non-crosslinked polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene and PUR-Polyurethan.
Our tote dividers can be individually adapted to the size and shape of your PCBs so that they are held securely and firmly inside the packaging. Whether made of corrugated polypropylene sheets , corrugated cardboard or foam - with our customized partitions you can ensure that your PCBs are optimally protected during transport and storage.
All-in-one systems with ESD containers: total protection
In addition to our customized tote dividers and foam inserts, we also offer complete systems with plastic containers that are ideal for the safe transport and storage of printed circuit boards. Our ESD plastic boxes are available in various sizes and offer comprehensive protection for your sensitive electronic components.
Our plastic containers and boxes are specially designed to prevent electrostatic discharges and thus ensure maximum protection for your circuit boards. In combination with our compartments, they ensure that your boards are securely fixed and protected from mechanical and electrical risks. With these all-in-one systems, you have a complete packaging solution that meets the demanding requirements of transporting PCBs.
Customer case study: Sustainable reusable packaging for PCBs
One of our customers from the electronics industry was facing a major challenge: how to find a protective and at the same time durable solution for PCBs. The company previously used ESD cardboards and partitions that provided the necessary protection for their sensitive printed circuit board but were not durable enough. Due to constant transportation and intensive use, the cardboard packaging wore out quickly, resulting in frequent replacement. In addition to high costs, this resulted in a considerable amount of waste, which contradicted the company's sustainability goals.
The customer approached Novapor with a request to develop a solution that would counteract these problems and at the same time ensure the safety of the PCBs. Together, we analyzed their specific requirements and developed a customized reusable solution that is superior to their previous disposable cardboard packaging.
Our solution consisted of a robust ESD Euro container combined with ESD dividers made of corrugated polypropylene sheets. These materials were chosen for their exceptional durability and reusability. Corrugated polypropylene sheets are particularly resistant to mechanical stress and retain their protective properties even with frequent use. ESD Euro containers offer additional protection against electrostatic discharges and hold the dividers firmly in place.
By implementing this reusable solution, our customer was able to significantly extend the lifespan of their packaging. The need to regularly replace packaging materials was drastically reduced, which not only lowered costs but also significantly improved the company's environmental carbon footprint.
Our customer was extremely satisfied with the result. The new packaging solution not only provided the desired protection for printed circuit boards, but also helped optimize their entire logistics chain. Less material usage and less waste means not only money savings for the company, but also an important step towards more sustainable business processes.
This success story shows how customized packaging solutions can not only improve the protection of sensitive electronic equipment, but also contribute to increased efficiency and sustainability in production. We are very pleased that we have been able to support our customer on this journey and jointly develop a future-oriented solution that not only saves a lot of money and resources, but also protects the environment as a result.