The Benefits of Custom Converted 3M™ VHB™ Tape Parts
When it comes to your pressure sensitive (PSA) tape, precision, efficiency, and performance are non-negotiable. Enter 3M™ VHB™ tape, a peel and stick solution that has transformed how industries approach bonding and assembly. Renowned for its strength, durability, and versatility, VHB tapes are a go-to choice for replacing mechanical fasteners, screws, spot welds, and rivets in many different applications across a variety of industries.
While these acrylic foam tapes are great bonding solutions that can reduce labor, improve aesthetics, and expand design options, there’s an even more advanced and reliable way to lock in their benefits while getting the strongest and longest-lasting bond: custom conversion. Through various fabrication techniques, our team at Engineered Materials can transform VHB tapes into precise, application-specific parts, making them more usable, efficient, and high performing in nearly any application. When acrylic foam tapes are selected for your application, leveraging a custom tape part should be a critical component of your selection process.
What is 3M VHB Tape?
3M VHB tapes, sometimes referred to as hi-bond tapes, are a high-strength, double-sided acrylic foam adhesive tape that bonds a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, glass, and composites. Its viscoelastic properties allow it to absorb dynamic loads, distribute stress evenly, and maintain adhesion in extreme environments. VHB tape is used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and electronics, thanks to its durability, weather resistance, and ability to create seamless bonds.
How Are These Tapes Converted into Custom Parts?
Custom conversion is the process of fabricating VHB tape into pre-cut, application-ready shapes and configurations. The primary benefit of custom conversion lies in the ability to cut VHB tape into complex shapes, sizes, and configurations to fit seamlessly into various designs and assemblies.
In addition to creating individual shapes, VHB tape can be fabricated into complex assemblies which simplify the production process and improve assembly precision. For example, tape parts can be die cut to their exact dimensions, and an easy to pick tab can be added to the liner that is to be removed first to speed assembly. Locator holes can also be added to either the par or an oversized secondary liner, providing the perfectly sized part to be placed in the exact bonding location quickly.
Custom PSA tapes can be converted using a variety of advanced techniques:
Die-Cutting: produces precise shapes by pressing the tape through a die. Ideal for creating uniform parts.
Kiss-Cutting & Tabs: parts can be cut to shape on a liner and / or liner tabs can be provided to speed assembly.
Waterjet Cutting: pressurized stream of water that cuts a very clean-cut edge and creates complex parts.
Laser Cutting: offers high precision and the ability to create intricate designs.
Precision Slitting & Level-Winding: if the tape width or length needed isn’t available off the shelf, then custom slitting can cut to the nearest 1/32nd inch, while level-wound spools allow for extra-long rolls of tape that planetary rolls can’t reach.
How Custom Conversion Enhances VHB Tape’s Usability and Performance
Custom conversion turns already versatile PSA tapes into a highly specialized and easy to use bonding tools that are precision tailored to your application. OEMs and engineers gain significant advantages when working with prefabricated tape parts, including greater precision, efficiency, and product performance. Custom converted PSA tapes offer:
More Customization and Precision
Tailored to Fit Irregular Shapes: custom-cut VHB parts are designed to fit precisely into tight spaces or irregularly shaped components. This ensures a seamless bond and maximizes surface contact.
Uniformity Across Applications: pre-cut parts provide consistency in size and shape, which is critical for maintaining quality in large-scale manufacturing.
Material Waste Reduction: by supplying tape in exact dimensions, conversion minimizes material waste, which can lower costs and improve sustainability.
Improved Assembly Efficiency
Time Savings: pre-cut tape parts eliminate the need for on-site trimming, cutting, or adjustments, significantly speeding up production timelines.
Simplified Application: converted VHB tape can include easy-to-remove liners, alignment guides, or tabs, making application faster and more accurate.
Reduced Clutter: there is no need to handle large rolls or discard excess tape, resulting in a cleaner, more organized workspace and assembly process.
Enhanced Product Performance
Optimized Bonding Strength: custom shapes are engineered to cover the exact surface area required, ensuring maximum adhesive strength.
Stress Distribution: tailored tape designs can distribute mechanical stress evenly across bonded surfaces, improving structural integrity.
Improved Aesthetics: pre-cut parts ensure clean, professional lines, enhancing the appearance of finished products.
Versatility Across Industries
Converted 3M™ VHB™ tape parts are increasing efficiency and precision in manufacturing and assembly processes across a wide range of industries, including:
Automotive
Used for bonding emblems, trim, sensors, and structural components.
Offers lightweight alternatives to rivets and welds, contributing to fuel efficiency.
Electronics
Ideal for screen mounting, heat dissipation, and securing delicate components.
Precision-cut parts ensure minimal waste and exact fits for small-scale assemblies.
Construction
Level wound rolls provide reliable bonding for muntin bar extrusions.
Weather-resistant properties make it ideal for outdoor applications.
Signage
Seamless mounting of panels, letters, and brackets.
Eliminates the need for screws, preserving the visual appeal of signs.
General Industrial Applications
Bonds badges in heavy-duty equipment manufacturing.
Handles vibrations and dynamic loads in machinery.
How Custom Conversion Works
Custom conversion is a collaborative process that begins with understanding your application’s specific requirements. At Engineered Materials, we work with you every step of the way to create a design and convert VHB tapes to maximize their performance for your intended application.
Our team works with you through:
Consultation and Design: our engineers analyze your application’s environment, stress points, and material substrates to design a tape solution.
Material Selection: the ideal VHB tape is chosen based on factors like bonding strength, temperature tolerance, environmental resistance, and many other factors.
The Fabrication Process: from die-cutting to kiss-cutting, laser cutting, and more, we create precise parts that fit seamlessly into your assembly process.
Work with us to Create Your Ideal Part
Custom-converted VHB tape parts combining the bonding power of VHB tape with precision fabrication, creating tailored bonding solutions that improve assembly efficiency, product performance, and more, all while and reduce waste (and often costs).