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NEW GENERATION OF MARINE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS WITH AUTOTEX XE
Having already made a name for themselves with their innovatively designed custom-made flat panel control systems in water sport and marine transport, Kienzle Systems in Neckarsulm has now introduced a new generation of electrical control panels for motor boats and sailing yachts. For this project Kienzle Systems worked closely with Miltronik for the development of all electronics hardware and software and with Würth for development and production of the circuit boards. The new KMW Masterboard combines all central yacht switching functions with a good overview and within a sealed and logically arranged unit. In its basic version it provides perfect supervision of the GPS navigation equipment, the cabin lighting, tanks, pumps, the charging level status of the batteries, the radio communication and rudder control, etc. In the event of defects it can even pass relevant signals by SMS to give the location to coastal radio stations, ensuring safer yachting especially in bad weather. The film used in this control panel for the graphics overlay and key switches needed to be capable of withstanding well over one million operating cycles, as well as prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions and high UV radiation. Kienzle used Autotex XE from Autotype in Wantage, UK, for the KMW Masterboard, Björn Kienzle explains: 'Autotype was chosen as the company is rated as the leading supplier of specialised hard coated films. Autotex XE was developed for demanding applications and combines the known qualities of polyester films with exceptionally high UV resistance. Autotex XE is a high value, hard coated polyester film that is supplied with a flexible, chemically bonded, UV cured, textured surface layer. The high quality surface finish is important as the control panel has to be both aesthetically pleasing and have a long operating life without obvious wear to the surface. In addition, the high UV resistance of Autotex XE avoids premature yellowing and brittleness, while the second surface or underside of the film is coated with an ink adhesion primer that can easily be screen printed with conventional graphic inks; printing on the under surface effectively protects the graphics from wear. Finally, we have to have total confidence in our suppliers and, with Autotype have found that they provide both an exceptional quality of product and an excellent standard of technical support service, while their range of films meet and in many cases exceed the certification requirements of Kienzle’s stringent quality system.'
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