At Stewart Technology, we’re continuously investing in our processes and capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers. One area where we’ve seen a significant increase in demand is conformal coating, as more companies look to improve reliability and protect electronics used in challenging environments. In response, we’ve recently invested in a Nordson selective conformal coating machine, strengthening our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality results at scale.
What is conformal coating?
Conformal coating is a thin, protective layer applied to PCBs and electronic assemblies which conforms to the shape of the board and components. This forms a barrier that helps protect against environmental factors such as moisture, dust, corrosion and extreme temperatures.
For many companies, especially those operating in industrial, medical, defence or outdoor environments, conformal coating plays a vital role in improving product reliability and extending operational life.
Why conformal coating matters
As products become more complex and increasingly expected to perform reliably in harsh conditions, we are seeing a growing number of customers specify conformal coating as part of their build requirements. Conformal coating improves long-term performance, reduces the risk of field failures and provides peace of mind that assemblies will continue to function as intended throughout their lifecycle.
It also supports compliance and industry requirements, while helping manufacturers deliver consistent, repeatable quality at scale.
Introducing our new Nordson selective coating machine
To strengthen this capability, we’ve invested in a Nordson selective coating system, designed to apply conformal coating with a high degree of accuracy, control and repeatability.
Unlike traditional manual coating methods selective coating allows us to precisely apply material only where it is needed, avoiding connectors and sensitive components. This not only improves consistency but reduces waste and rework.
The system incorporates advanced vision and pattern recognition, automated conveyor handling and multiple coating heads, allowing us to tailor the coating process to suit different board designs and coating requirements. Integrated monitoring and control features also help ensure repeatable results across production runs.
Moving beyond manual coating
For many years, Stewart Technology has successfully delivered conformal coating using manual application methods. While effective, manual coating is time-consuming and can be influenced by operator technique, particularly as assemblies become more complex or production volume increases.
With demand for conformal coating continuing to grow, it became clear that investing in an automated solution was the right next step. By moving to selective conformal coating, we’re introducing more controlled and scalable processes, with clear advantages –
Greater consistency and repeatability across builds
Improved accuracy and control
Reduced dependence on manual handling and operator variation
Less rework and material waste
Better suitability for complex assemblies and higher production volumes
This allows us to deliver the same protection customers expect, while improving efficiency and confidence in every coated assembly.
What this means for our customers
This investment reflects the increasing importance of conformal coating across many industries and reinforces our commitment to supporting customers as their requirements evolve. Whether conformal coating is needed for reliability, compliance or environmental protection, our enhanced capability allows us to deliver repeatable, high-quality results as part of our end-to-end manufacturing services.
And we’ll admit it – it’s also pretty satisfying to watch! Seeing the machine apply coating with such precision and consistency is a great reminder of how far manufacturing technology has come and why investing in the right equipment makes such a difference.
If you’d like to learn more about our conformal coating capabilities or discuss how this could benefit your products, please get in touch – we’d be happy to talk it through.
