3M Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division is evolving its Bonding Process Centers in St. Paul, U.S., Neuss, Germany, and Shanghai, China. Against the backdrop of a growing trend toward automation in manufacturing, the 3M Bonding Process Centers provide a starting point from which to design and plan automated bonding solutions. The 3M Bonding Process Centers…
From mining in Minnesota to a global corporation
When a handful of colleagues set up shop in Minnesota more than a century ago, not one would have predicted their efforts would lead to a multinational conglomerate corporation, with global corporate operations in 70 countries and sales offices in another 200 locations. The founders of 3M Company — an acronym for Minnesota Mining and…
3M commits to preparing for future potential pandemics
3M and Pandemic Action Network are not only collaborating on programs to stem the spread of COVID-19 but have also committed to working together to help prepare for future pandemics. 3M has led a comprehensive global response to country-specific needs during the pandemic. For example, it partnered with Ford last year to help meet a…
3M launches skin-friendly medical adhesive that’s made for comfort
As the number of people with chronic diseases and the size of the aging population continues to grow, medical device design engineers need adhesive solutions that are gentle and secure to help support device compliance by end-users. To this end, 3M has announced its latest addition to a new class of silicone adhesives that balances…
Choose the ideal vinyl electrical tape with 3M’s Selection Guide
With a strong, flexible PVC backing and excellent insulating properties, 3M vinyl electrical tapes withstand moisture, abrasion, corrosion, alkalis, and acids. A good vinyl electrical tape is versatile. Its main job is to insulate but, ideally, it should also form a tight seal that resists corrosive contaminants. It should also perform without incidents in hot…
The top fastener innovations of 2020
Congratulations on making it through 2020! The ability to maintain a business during the pandemic, which has included mandatory shutdowns and restrictions, is commendable. And to those fastener manufacturers and distributors that remained essential, there’s much gratitude for your dedication, adaptability, and hard work. Although the past year is not one most want to reflect…
3M’s new silicone adhesive improves use of wearable medical devices
Acrylate and silicone have dominated the medical adhesive market for years. But the adhesives currently available require device engineers to choose between strength and wear duration, or comfort and pliability. To fill the gap in the market, 3M announced the next-generation of silicone adhesives: 3M Hi-Tack Silicone Adhesive Tapes. The first of its class is…
3M teams up with Ford to help accelerate COVID-19 response
Safety, industry, and health care provider, 3M, is currently operating at maximum production, having accelerated investments to expand its global capacity to help provide the products and components necessary in the fight agains COVID-19. Most recently, the company announced a partnership with Ford Motor Company. 3M and Ford are collaborating on specific ways the companies…
3M offers new tape series for difficult-to-bond materials
Bonding low-surface energy (LSE) plastics can be a sticky challenge. Why? Because the plastic-to-plastic bond typically fails to offer enough adhesion to stick properly. This means costly, time-consuming priming or adhesion promoters, unpleasant odors, including other process steps, are required to work. Such challenges can inhibit the bonding of composites and LSE plastics and, ultimately,…
3M expands adhesive portfolio for wearable medical devices
When considering adhesive science and the challenges of skin as a substrate, design engineers know sticking to skin can be tricky. Adhesive plays a critical role in the success of a medical device, whether it’s holding the device together or adhering it to the wearer’s skin. Today, 3M announced it has added 3M Extended Wear…