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NEW FILM IDEAL FOR GYM EQUIPMENT
This surface can also resist repeated applications of the most aggressive cleaning agents, ensuring that the equipment can be kept clean and as free as possible from bacteria, mold and other unpleasant contaminants. Aside from having to be cleaned repeatedly, control panels for fitness equipment need to be flexible enough to be applied to curved surfaces, be embossable and endure in excess of 5 million actuations. Autotex AM offers all these features, with the added benefit of being very transparent to enable the production of clarity, optically pleasing control panels. In addition to these attractive features the new film incorporates Microban antimicrobial product protection, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew that cause stains, odors and product degradation. By using Autotex AM in conjunction with normal cleaning routines, it is now possible to enhance the level of protection of gym equipment. Microban protection is not a substitute for regular cleaning practices. Autotex AM is the first material of its type to incorporate Microban technology, which is incorporated into the film's textured hard coat during the manufacturing process. This process ensures even distribution of the antimicrobial agent throughout the film's surface and will not wash off or wear away, offering antimicrobial protection during the life of the application manufactured with Autotex AM. Microban technology inhibits the growth of microbes on contact, working continuously to maintain a consistently lower bio-burden than would be expected on a product without Microban protection. In order to prove the efficiency of the new film and to ensure that customers and end users are confident in its long term performance, extensive testing has been carried out by leading independent laboratories. Using standard protocols to simulate real life cleaning regimes, Autotex AM was tested for a period that represented 15 years of use. The tests were carried out on a variety of different samples, including unprocessed samples taken straight from the production line and samples that were subject to print processes such as jet dryer passes, fusion UV passes and passes under IR lamps. In addition, film samples underwent testing to simulate extreme surface wear; this included the texture being partly removed using sand paper and the surface polished using wire wool until it was smooth. Finally, to simulate the process of embossing, film samples were stretched by 20% in both MD and TD directions. The combination of proven hard coating technology from MacDermid Autotype and the incorporation of the active Microban agent has resulted in a film substrate that is ideal for the manufacture of some of the safest and long-lasting display panels for gym equipment.
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