As the CEO and President of Strouse Corporation, Sue Chambers is responsible for leading all facets of the business. Sue has a proven executive management track record and over 20 years of experience driving sales growth and operational innovation in the adhesive conversion industry. Sue possesses strong leadership, strategic vision, and savvy marketing skills. Sue has an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland. Since 1997 Sue Chambers joined Strouse and led the transformation into an enterprise-focused company while growing the company into a world leader in the innovative production of pressure-sensitive adhesive with revenue of over 20 million and growing. In the last three years, Strouse revenue has grown 62%; the number of employees has grown and continues to achieve and maintain ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certification. Strouse built a new production plant going from 40,000 to 62,500 square feet, increasing the production space by 50%. The building also can expand to 82,500 sq. Feet. Sue is active in the community serving on the Industrial Development Board presently and earning several business awards over the years. Most recently, 3M has recognized Strouse as a supplier of the year. She is also on the Dale Chambers Foundation board that raises money for local charities in the community.
4 min read
The stress is on.
You’re under pressure to create the best possible product. That includes choosing the right material, the right adhesive, the right format, the right elongation at break percentage … even the right converter!
That’s because you know your product will be under pressure, too. It has to perform with a certain tensile strength — the maximum force or stress a material can withstand while being pulled apart from both ends before failing. That’s why it’s also called “breaking strength.”
5 min read
NOTE: This article is #1 in a 3-part series on the power and versatility of pressure sensitive adhesive tape. It’s really a celebration of applications and possibilities. Check back next month for Part #2 when we’ll talk about foam tape, including 3M VHB Foam Tape!
When manufacturers need to bring together two or more surfaces, either temporarily or permanently, they often choose to use a viscous substance — adhesive bonding — because of its many assembly advantages and versatility. The materials used to do this could be adhesive tape, adhesive film, glue, epoxy, or something else, however, pressure sensitive adhesive tape (PSA) is becoming increasingly popular.
4 min read
Excellence.
Every business wants to achieve it, and every business wants to partner with other businesses that achieve it. And while saying you have it is easy, being recognized for it by an industry leader is quite another thing.
For companies in the converting industry, being honored for excellence by 3M is the top of the top. It shouts to the world that a converter deeply understands the industry leader, and the industry leader trusts them.
This article explores the origins of the 3M Preferred Converter program, digs into why it matters in a highly competitive marketplace, and shares why customers should care.
2 min read
Of course, as a converter of flexible materials we love to talk about pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). However the unsung hero of the adhesive world may be the release liner (often called “carrier” or “backing”). This is the product — typically a coated paper or film — that carries the sticky material and serves as a protective covering until the pressure sensitive adhesive is needed. Think of the shiny paper that carries a sticker or label.
A release liner’s base may be paper, polycoated paper, film, or even a metalized film. The liner can be coated with silicone or non-silicone to ease separation from the adhesive. It all depends on the precise delivery and dispensing system needed for the application.
In many cases, the release liner is one of the most critical decisions when designing a PSA. It has to have the right qualities and features to precisely match the application (hand applied or automatic dispensing) and processing (slitting, die-cutting, etc.).
The good news is you have options.
5 min read
Although small in size, microfluidic devices carry an enormous burden. Patients and caregivers rely on them for accurate test results and crucial information at the point-of-care. They screen for cancer, monitor blood glucose, detect pathogens. As they transport and protect samples of blood or other fluids, consistent and reliable performance is imperative. What could be more important?
8 min read
Thermal insulation tape, like all thermal insulation materials, reduces the amount of heat transfer between objects. Heat flow tends to be an inevitable consequence of two objects touching; however, thermal insulation tape will help reduce or reflect some of the heat transfer. The most widely known application of this concept is the insulation that goes in houses to lower energy bills.
8 min read
Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) are considered a crucial part of any efficient thermal management system. Their job is to transfer heat between two or more solid surfaces.
Today, thermal interface materials include an array of products, including phase change materials, gap fillers, and thermal grease. There are also less compliant materials, such as thermally conductive hardware, adhesive films, and thermal rubber pads.
2 min read
Many electronics products require specific adhesives that dissipate heat. Thermal interface materials (a combination of high-performance acrylic adhesive and highly conductive ceramic particles) enhance performance by minimizing reliability concerns and reduced operational lifetimes that are often affected by heat.
8 min read
When something works well, you barely notice how it works. Today's manufacturing and engineering techniques make so many machines and devices run dependably and silently. When you need to build those machines, things get a lot more interesting.
3 min read
Is your paint process one of the most scrutinized steps in your entire assembly process?
How’s that department performing? Experiencing any bottlenecks?
Whether manufacturing for automotive, military, aerospace, industrial, or electronics, every industry expects the highest quality product. And, with the paint process usually being quite complex, there can be many delays and rework.
3 min read
Have you ever seen this spec listed on a material data sheet?
“Elongation at Break %”
To understand it, and realize why it’s important in adhesives, let’s first tackle two definitions.
8 min read
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If radio waves and signals were visible and tangible, you wouldn't be able to move from one end of your home to another without tripping. The very device from which you're reading this article probably has a wireless signal.
8 min read
Any time a mechanism requires superior barrier and bonding features, gaskets are ideal. However, these handy devices are far from one-size-fits-all.
8 min read
You've probably heard people say that tape is the solution to all of life's problems, and they're pretty much right. The right tape can fix any challenge that you throw its way and is quick to apply, so you can get back to doing your job. It's also very likely the solution you need at your company right now.
9 min read
Have you ever wondered exactly how tape works? There are multiple types of adhesives on the market today. When you think of tape, you're most likely thinking of pressure sensitive adhesive tape.
1 min read
Strouse is proud to now offer two versions of a face shield that are made entirely in Westminster, MD. Both masks offer a soft foam headband, anti-fog PET, one size fits all adjust-ability, and latex free materials. We've designed the construction of these masks to be fully automated on our presses.
8 min read
A heat activated adhesive is a type of adhesive, usually applied to a tape backing, that will not bond at normal temperatures. Instead, it becomes sticky in certain temperatures, wherein the adhesive chemicals are activated and can form a bond.
8 min read
Around 6 million car accidents occur every year in the United States alone.
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Strouse, a 3M Supplier of the Year and leading manufacturer of converted adhesive solutions, will be attending and exhibiting at Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West 2020 in Anaheim, California. The expo takes place February 11-13th and is the world’s largest annual med-tech event.
8 min read
If you're someone who likes to get your hands dirty and create new things, you're far from alone. In fact, the US craft industry is worth over $44 billion. If you're someone who's contributed to this booming economy, then it's likely that you've used die cutting services before in your arts and crafts- or at least have heard of them before.
10 min read
About every 11 years the sun's magnetic field flips. North becomes south and south becomes north. This change causes solar storms on the sun's surface that send solar flares careening towards Earth.
2 min read
Strouse, an industry leading adhesive tape converter and custom manufacturer is proud to announce its medical device establishment registration with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The registration builds on Strouse’s wide range of adhesive tape converting capabilities and allows for deeper penetration into medical device projects and the overall medical and healthcare market.
2 min read
Earlier this month, Strouse reached a milestone that spans almost 3 years’ time. Our team achieved 1,000 consecutive days with no lost time accidents, meaning that no employee has lost time due to an accident in the workplace.
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Date: September 12, 2019
Time: 1:00 Shot Gun Start
Place: Golf – River Downs Golf Club
1900 River Downs Drive Finksburg, MD (410) 526-2000
Picnic Dinner - 5:30
2 min read
Strouse, a 3M Supplier of the Year and leading manufacturer of converted adhesive solutions, will be attending and exhibiting at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring (SAWC) meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The symposium, in its 32nd year, takes place May 7-11th and brings together leading industry professionals in wound care from physicians, nurses, researchers, and scientists to improve patient outcomes through education. New to wound care? Check this out.
1 min read
Strouse, a 3M Supplier of the Year and leading manufacturer of converted adhesive solutions, will be attending and exhibiting at Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West 2019 in Anaheim, California. The expo takes place February 5-7th and is the world’s largest annual med-tech event.
2 min read
Partnership enables organizations to achieve extreme accuracy and repeatability through automation from a single vendor.
WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND – Strouse, a leader in adhesive converting and recipient of the 3M Supplier of the Year award, has announced a partnership with AccuPlace to help manufacturers across the globe achieve automation. As organizations across industries focus on becoming more efficient, accurate, and scalable, Strouse and AccuPlace together are helping organizations attain these goals.
AccuPlace partners with their customers to standardize adhesive component assembly challenges. They manufacture machines that cost-effectively enable organizations to utilize machine automation within their manufacturing processes.
“At Strouse, we’ve always been focused on the goals and success of our customers,” says Sue Chambers, President and CEO at Strouse. “In highly technical and highly regulated industries it can be challenging to innovate without investing significant capital and resources. Overcoming that challenge was the idea behind Sample Express, our rapid prototyping program that reduces risk and cost for our customers as they test new products. We’re now taking that a step further with AccuPlace. In addition to helping customers design and test components to find the perfect fit, we’re able to help them cost effectively scale their manufacturing with automation while reducing vendor fatigue.”
Strouse’s partnership with AccuPlace aims to help customers consolidate vendor relations by providing a single source for manufacturing automation. No longer will customers need to bring together an adhesive converter, an automation equipment vendor, and manage the relationships through the entire process to effectively scale manufacturing efforts. Strouse’s expertise in design and manufacturing coupled with AccuPlace technology introduces a cohesive experience for customers to source parts and equipment from the same vendor where all parties are involved in the design and manufacture of solutions from the onset. This synergy streamlines development and increases speed to market.
“We partnered with Strouse as a Value Added Reseller to help our mutual customers ensure the highest productivity utilizing AccuPlace machines,” says Mike Terry, Global Sales Manager, at AccuPlace. “Strouse not only consistently produces tight tolerance rotary die cut parts; they thoroughly understand the key factors to automate them."
About Strouse
Strouse is a die cut adhesive manufacturer with over 30 years of industry experience. Serving the medical, automotive, electronics, military, aerospace, industrial and appliance industries, Strouse continues to innovate by engineering adhesive tape solutions that improve quality, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and expedite delivery. With a quality management system registered to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003 standards, Strouse not only has a commitment to quality but excellent customer service. A full team of design and development engineers allows Strouse to invest the necessary time and resources for every project. Located in Westminster, Maryland, Strouse can be contacted directly at 1-800-410-8273 or visit our website for more info at https://www.strouse.com/
About AccuPlace
AccuPlace offers a variety of adhesive component assembly solutions ranging from semi-automatic machines to fully automatic robotic pick and place systems. With more than 22 years of organizational experience, AccuPlace pioneered the effort to standardize die cut adhesive component assembly. Delivering established operational criteria, predictable quality, and perhaps of greatest benefit, quantified process costs. Thousands of our machines in applications around the world prove there is only one market leader for Film Adhesive Assembly – AccuPlace.
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