Optiforms experience in electroforming enables us to manufacture high quality coldshields, EMI shields, and radiation shields to customer specifications.
What is a Coldshield?
A coldshield is a device that protects an object from undesired heat from thermal radiation or light. Usually, it is a cooled object with low absorption and high reflectivity. Coldshields are typically used in IR optical devices for military, scientific, and industrial applications to protect IR sensors. Most coldshield applications require near instantaneous cooling. The low mass of the structure is very important. Electroforming is uniquely suited for coldshield production.
What are EMI Shields?
EMI (electromagnetic interference) is a naturally occurring phenomena when the electromagnetic field of one device disrupts, impedes, or degrades the electromagnetic field of another device by coming into proximity with it. EMI shields create low mass barriers allowing for smaller components and advanced design solutions.
What are Radiation Shields?
Radiation shields are used for protection against the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, which includes both particle radiation and high energy electromagnetic radiation.
Coldshield Design Considerations
Coldshield design features and specifications should conform to the mandrel or internal dimensions of the coldshield taking into account the mandrel to coldshield interface. Nearly any shape is possible when using an expendable mandrel but common sense and coordination with our electroforming team early in the design process may help reduce production costs. The mandrel will be CNC machined or made on a screw machine so mandrel costs can vary based on the coldshield configuration, i.e. one that is not optically and mechanically centric could be significantly more costly to manufacture. Features should be considered in mandrel design so that secondary machining operations at system interface and alignment are reduced. While most coldshields are small, special consideration may be required to account for expansion of the mandrel in higher temperature plating processes, specific mandrel materials or larger assemblies.
Electroforming process considerations include an understanding that external corners and radii will plate at approximately two times the nominal plating rate while internal corners plate at one half the nominal rate. This may result in variations in the external dimensions of the coldshield and should be considered in the design process. Minimizing sharp corners and tight radii will reduce the effect of this electroforming anomaly. Proprietary masking processes developed by Optiforms has reduced this anomaly.
The coldshield performance may be based on minimizing mass. The structural or mechanical characteristics can be maximized with a good design that will minimize plating thickness for rigidity.
Please contact Optiforms Sales Department for specific information.
A coldshield is a device that protects an object from undesired heat from thermal radiation or light. Usually, it is a cooled object with low absorption and high reflectivity. Coldshields are typically used in IR optical devices for military, scientific, and industrial applications to protect IR sensors. Most coldshield applications require near instantaneous cooling. The low mass of the structure is very important. Electroforming is uniquely suited for coldshield production.
