RF Shielding Issues in Wireless, Cellular, and Electronics Product Companies

RF / EMI interference during testing can be an enormous problem for electronic and wireless parts manufacturers. During the production process, wireless devices often need to be activated without external interference for quality and process control checks. To insure that radio frequency signals are solely from the individual unit being tested, RF isolation is required on assembly lines or in test areas. And when multiple adjacent manufacturing cells are building electronic and wireless products, RF isolation is essential to allow quality control or activation testing of the similar components on adjacent lines. RF isolation prevents RF/EMI noise from equipment in other parts of the factory interfering with production testing.

Additionally, RF sensors and process controls that are critical to automation can be susceptible to interference and may require isolation from other radio frequency sources.

When trouble-shooting process control issues, portable shielding that is movable on the assembly line or between cells may be essential in finding problems. Additionally, automation controls and sensors require calibration and will benefit from temporary RF isolation.

In re-manufacturing, wireless units often need to be activated to assure functionality, again requiring the RF signal to be isolated and traced to the individual unit being tested.

RFID is used more and more in manufacturing on individual products or on pallets for electronic labeling and scanning. RF shielding may be required to assure accurate counts as product moves from location to location in order to segment distinct manufacturing operations, the warehouse from the factory, or the dock from the truck.

RF / EMI shielding in manufacturing can be accomplished a number of ways. Curtains can segment operations. Portable lightweight RF shielded test boxes can house equipment as it travels along the line. And portable RF shielding tents can be erected for temporary isolation. Product development for wireless and electronics encounters a number of RF / EMI Shielding challenges for products and parts of all sizes and applications. RF isolation is key to test and calibrate the product and components at various stages of development, free from RF interference. RF interference comes from external sources like cell towers or airports, and internally from RF emitting prototypes in the lab.

Read on here for solutions!