Currently, most new vehicles sold are at level 1 or 2 of the SAE’s framework. And while predictions for the arrival of fully autonomous cars (level 5) seem to range from “next year” to “next decade,” it’s clear that sophisticated electronics performing a range of tasks are here, and here to stay.
ADAS and the opportunity for pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes
So what does this mean for tapes and pressure-sensitive adhesives? Plenty.
The engineers working to develop and market ADAS are challenged by the need to make those systems easier to assemble, durable for the life of the vehicle (which now averages more than 12 years, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation), and reliable.
Tapes with high-performance pressure-sensitive adhesives provide an answer for many of their challenges.
They can replace mechanical fasteners and offer a thinner profile, lighter weight, repositionability and an instant bond
They can seal and fill gaps for ingress protection, reduce vibrations and noise, and provide clearer vision
They can reduce glare and manage light.
There are multiple applications where pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes can be used to deliver these benefits. These include bonding and gap filling for flexible heater films, sensor mounting and sealing, as a bonding solution for gaskets or microporous venting materials, and glare reduction for cameras (when an adhesive is paired with a light-absorbing film). As ADAS systems proliferate and evolve in the years ahead, engineers will likely devise more uses for adhesive tapes.
How tape converters can grow with the ADAS evolution
The automotive industry is a complex and global ecosystem. It incorporates the major OEMs, multiple tiers of parts and system suppliers, and suppliers of other functional materials.
As a tape converter, you can play a critical role in this ecosystem by providing lamination of materials; creating multilayer composites; die cutting; and creating part presentations, prototypes and samples. Now more than ever, the industry needs your capabilities and expertise.
And in Avery Dennison, you have a collaborator with a 50-year-plus track record in the industry. We encourage you to lean on our Automotive Electronics portfolio along with our global reach, R&D capabilities, ISO 17025-certified lab and other capabilities.
Let’s talk about ADAS and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes
If you're a converter, automotive supplier, or OEM representative looking to better understand the potential for pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes in ADAS, please contact me directly at max.vanraaphorst@averydennison.com.
Learn more about our Automotive Electronics portfolio at tapes.averydennison.com/automotiveelectronics.
About the author:
Max Van Raaphorst is business development manager – E-mobility and Automotive, Avery Dennison. With nearly a decade of technical, sales and marketing experience in the chemical manufacturing field, Max strives to help Avery Dennison tape converters grow their business in the fast-evolving E-mobility and Automotive segments. Based in Michigan, he can be reached through LinkedIn.