Foam supply issues in outdoor device manufacturing solved! - Melrose Nameplate & Label Co. | U.S. Manufacturing Solutions

Technical Solutions Through Expertise & Partnership

Foam supply issues in outdoor device manufacturing solved!

Overview

Melrose listened to manufacturers of outdoor devices, who expressed concern about how difficult the supply of foam parts has become in recent years. Like many commodities, foam became a pain point for building outdoor devices to deliver specific technology, such as payment collection, audio, vehicles, and other related industries.

Therefore, at this moment, Melrose moved to solve what appears to be a universal problem for outdoor devices.

foam supply issues in outdoor device

The challenge:

The outdoor device manufacturer required a stable, consistent supply and pricing on die-cut foam parts for outdoor devices. Choose materials based on customer requirements,

  • Environment & Application

  • Thickness

  • Shore hardness / Durometer

  • Compression

  • Open-cell / Closed-cell

  • UV resistant

  • Temperature

  • Brand colors

The solution:​

In conjunction with 3M and other key suppliers, we targeted consistency in two types of foam needed in outdoor electronic devices:

INSULATION FOAM

  • Customers experiencing extended lead times from their traditional suppliers and pricing instability make for real concerns.

  • Melrose is committed to stocking solutions to deliver stability for lead time and pricing.

  • Quality foam sponges with good compression: .027”, .062”, .125”, and .250” grey and beige foam to insulate.

  • 3M adhesive solutions for all plastic, metal, or painted unit surfaces

OUTDOOR GASKETS (UV & TEMP RESISTANT CLOSED CELL FOAM SPONGES)

  • Once again, Melrose collaborated with the customer on materials solutions to stabilize lead time and price.

  • Stocking various thicknesses: .062”, .125”, .250”, .375” outdoor black foam for bezels and gaskets

  • 3M adhesive solutions for all plastic, metal, or painted unit surfaces

Result

In all of this, we created solutions by assessing customer requirements vs. what is available and when. This process of active listening and problem-solving of not only technical issues but also logistics goes to the heart of what Melrose does.