Written by Chris Miller, Product Manager
Vistana's goal is to become the largest distributor of Printed Electronic (P.E.) materials globally. While this seems a tremendous goal to achieve, it is possible when partnering with the right people in the right companies. Most will assume the first - having the best customers in each submarket of the P.E. industry, then growing with them, as they continue to manufacture state of the art products. But this is only part one of the equation; there are two other parts. These are just as important - part two is having the right supplier base and part three is having the right team.
We may appear to be the new kid on the block, but our pedigree links us back to the pioneers of this industry. Vistana was born into a family of companies, all with a commanding expertise in supply chain management, distribution, electronic and product sourcing.
Over the last 18 months, Vistana focused on putting together the right supplier base, as well as the right team. Vistana's strategy regarding suppliers, is to reel in a diverse, "best in class," supplier, one that can support P.E. manufacturers vertically throughout the process. Our focus breaks into three sectors, (1) Substrates, (2) PTF Inks, Dielectrics & Adhesive and (3) Production Assist Consumables.
The world of Substrates in P.E. industry is an ever-changing one. Not long ago Polyester (PET) was the main player in the industry, and it still has a commanding presence & market share, thanks to the folks from DuPont Teijin and Toray. OEM’s have invested tens of millions in R&D to help new substrates make their way into P.E. manufacturers. These range from the advanced substrates like DuPont-Teijin Teonex® PEN, to conductive films and various composite and heat stabilized PET from innovating companies like Coveme. Along with these creations, and advancements of dielectric films, like ZETA®, the industry continues to innovate for the ever-changing and ever-demanding consumer.PTF Inks, Dielectrics & Adhesives are what make P.E. all possible. PTF Silver inks continue to be the industry standard even with the rise in silver costs globally. While different rheologies of silver/ carbon and silver/copper are being required by OEM’s, for different product sets, there is no other conductive material offering the advantages that PTF silver inks offer. The Holy Grail is to find a true copper ink that has technology built-in to stop corrosion, and now there are some developments that actually show promise. However, the laws of economics keep it from becoming a contender as a conductive ink.
New Dielectrics also continue to innovate new applications. Tried and true dielectric formulations find their way into the marketplace, performing in ways never expected. Adhesives have the most promise as conductive adhesives and they are starting to show signs of great opportunity. They offer designers’ opportunities to replace silver-printed or copper-plated via holes as an alternative interconnect. Creations of adhesive systems like ZETA® Bond, offer P.E. manufactures the opportunity to bond many difficult substrates together like PET to PVC at low temperature cure rates. These weren’t possible before in the adhesive market place.
Production assist consumables are what make it possible to put the PTF Inks, Dielectrics & Adhesives onto the substrates and Vistana sees these products just as important as every other product, while others overlook this importance. Vistana offers P.E. manufacturers the ability to create complete process solutions when new designs are developed by OEM’s. To be able to understand which Silver Ink, Adhesive & Dielectric works on a specific substrate, the distributor/supplier to the P.E. manufacturer, must know what liquid emulsion or capillary film is needed for that specific mesh. Also, as important, is knowing which squeegee & screen chemistries’ system works best for offering a competitive price and yield to the customer.
Production assist consumables are what make it possible to put the PTF Inks, Dielectrics & Adhesives onto the substrates and Vistana sees these products just as important as every other product, while others overlook this importance. Vistana offers P.E. manufacturers the ability to create complete process solutions when new designs are developed by OEM’s. To be able to understand which Silver Ink, Adhesive & Dielectric works on a specific substrate, the distributor/supplier to the P.E. manufacturer, must know what liquid emulsion or capillary film is needed for that specific mesh. Also, as important, is knowing which squeegee & screen chemistries’ system works best for offering a competitive price and yield to the customer.
What separates Vistana from other distributors is our complete understanding of all products used in P.E. manufacturing - from the time material is received into the plant, to the time it is ready to be shipped out to the OEM. Vistana understands.
