In the mid 1980s ADS was in the midst of a huge growth period as it became ever more dependent on the automotive industry. In order to avoid becoming completely dependent on a single product line, the company made the strategic decision to develop an alternative market.
As experts in the field of screen printing onto engineering grade plastic films, the development of printed electrical circuits was an obvious candidate for this development, and the company became a major player in the supply of membrane ‘touch switch’ panels for applications as diverse as microwave ovens and medical instruments.
Now, forty years later, and building on the company’s ability to 3D thermoform and injection mold its printed films, ADS is re-deploying its experience in printed circuits into the growing market for InMold Electronics (IME).
In addition to successfully supplying IME systems for de-frosting headlights, ADS is developing similar systems to keep LIDAR sensors on self-driving vehicles free of snow and ice.
Printed antennas, capacitive touch systems, and proximity sensors are all being successfully formed and molded into active, decorated, plastic components by ADS.
