FAQs

That is tfs?

tfs stands for tailormade functional steel The product is hot-dip galvanized, organic-coated steel with conductor tracks embedded in the coating layer. These features make the steel an intelligent material, making it possible to integrate additional functions directly into the surface for entirely new designs and applications.

Why should I use tfs?

You can use tfs technology to make your product even smarter and offer your customers additional functionality

Is tfs a finished product?

No, tfs is not a ready-made product, but a technology that is adapted to individual customer requirements. Joint engineering is critical to a successful product.

I have an idea, so what do I do?

Great! Please contact us! In collaboration with each other, we determine the technical and commercial potential of your idea. A prototype is developed in a co-engineering process before serial production commences.

What is the scope of supply for tfs?

The scope of supply is tailored to each specific customer project. It usually includes the printed circuit board, the contacting and, in the case of a sensor application, the required processing electronics.

What does tfs cost?

An all-inclusive price cannot be quoted because this is a customized solution. The price depends on individual customer requirements, the size of the cut sheet and the size of the printed area. A joint co-engineering process is required to finalize the design.

Is there a minimum order quantity for tfs?

Which materials can tfs be printed on?

The starting point for tfs is a galvanized steel strip with an insulation coating. The material is manufactured by the voestalpine Steel Division in Linz, Austria. Printing on other materials such as stainless steel or aluminum is not possible as of yet.

What is the grade of the base material?

Should the customer not specify any individual requirements for the base material, standard material will be a fine-grained structural steel, grade DX51 or DX52. Other steels from the voestalpine product portfolio can also be used.

Which sheet thicknesses are possible?

Sheet thicknesses between 0.4 mm and 2.5 mm can be selected for each tfs product.

How large can a tfs functional component be?

tfs is printed on cut sheets. The maximum dimensions of the cut sheet are 1250 mm x 2500 mm.

Is there a minimum size of cut sheet to be used as tfs?

tfs can be used for smaller products. In this case, several units are placed on a single sheet. Minimum dimensions have not been defined, but remember that each component must be individually supplied with a power source.

Can tfs be printed on coil material or profiled sections?

tfs is printed on cut sheet steel. Coils and profiled sections are not possible.

How can tfs be further processed?

There are many different possibilities of further processing tfs. The steel sheet containing the printed function can be punched, laser-cut, edged, riveted, powder-coated, paint-coated etc.

Is it possible to form tfs?

The functional layer and the pre-material can be edged and bent. Coated steel strip was developed specifically for extensive forming. Possible forming radii of the conductor tracks may vary from function to function. Deep drawing and profiling are not possible.

Deep drawing and profiling processes must be specified during the design process. This ensures that bends, holes etc. can be taken into account when designing the functional layer.

How is power supplied to the conductor tracks?

The conductor tracks printed on the steel sheet must be supplied with power in order to function. The manner in which the tracks are supplied with power is defined in the design.

Which connection possibilities are there?

Connections can be plug-in, adhesive, soldered or a combination of different connection options. During the joint engineering process, the most appropriate kind of connection is selected for each individual application.

Can tfs be supplied with extra-low voltage?

Yes, tfs technology works with extra-low voltage (SELV or PELV) up to 60V (DC) or 24V (AC).

Can tfs be supplied with 230 V?

Yes, tfs technology also works with 230 V if designed accordingly. This makes it possible to achieve higher outputs, especially in heating applications. Sensor applications, on the other hand, are supplied exclusively with extra-low voltage.

Can tfs be used indoors as well as outdoors?

How does the heating function work?

The tfs heating function is based on resistance heating to convert electrical energy into thermal energy.

How high of a temperature is possible with tfs?

With surface temperatures up to 100 °C, tfs reaches the infrared range, which is a pleasant radiant heat. The desired target temperature is defined during the co-engineering process.

How is the temperature regulated?

tfs can be combined with various temperature control systems. If the heating function is not regulated by an external controller, the sheet heats to the designed maximum temperature.

Can you also cool with tfs?

No, unfortunately, physics does not allow that.

Can the tfs heating function be used in cold rooms?

Yes, tfs can be used at low ambient temperatures. Empirical values are available for applications down to minus 40 °C. This includes applications in the deep-freeze range.

What are some of the typical applications?

tfs can be used instead of wiring whenever switching signals or low power levels are transmitted, e.g. in the operation of LED strips.

What power can be transmitted with tfs?

The exact power must be defined during the design stage because certain requirements must be considered such as available voltage or acceptable power dissipation. This is commonly 12 W, 0.5 A and 24 V.

How long of a cable can replace tfs?

The maximum possible cable length depends primarily on intended use. Power supply with negligible power loss is possible for a length of roughly 50 cm. Switching signals, on the other hand, can be transported across the maximum length of the 2.5 meter sheet.

How does load detection work?

Load detection is based on a capacitive measurement. Integrated sensors detect whether an object is on the measuring surface or not.

What can be detected?

Load detection is independent of weight, so a wide variety of different objects can be detected. The object to be detected must rest on the measuring surface.

How large does the object have to be?

There are no minimum dimensions. It is important that the objects to be detected and their dimensions are taken into account during the design process.

What is the total monitoring area of load detection?

The monitoring area can be roughly 600 mm x 400 mm. A combination of several monitoring surfaces is possible on one larger unit. Smaller dimensions are not a problem.

Are the processing electronics included in the scope of supply?

Processing electronics were specially developed for capacitive measurement. Unless otherwise requested, this is included in the scope of supply.

How does the touch function work?

Touch detection is by means of capacitive measurement.

Can you compare the touch function with a fingerprint?

No, assignment of a fingerprint to a person is not possible.

Does the function work with gloves?

Yes. The touch function has been tested with leather and disposable gloves. Bandages and dirty fingertips are not a problem.

How many sensors or individual control panels can be featured?

Up to 16 fields can be operated by each electronic processing unit.

How big can the touch surface be?

The total monitoring surface area can be about 600 mm x 400 mm. A combination of several monitoring surfaces is possible on one larger unit. Smaller dimensions are not a problem.

How does leak detection work?

Fluid detection is by means of capacitive measurement.

Which liquids can be detected with tfs?

A wide range of liquids can be detected, regardless of viscosity. Leaked fluids tested so far include water, oil etc. were detected without any problem.

How large can the monitored area be?

Large-scale monitoring is possible. Exact dimensions must defined during the design process.

How does condition monitoring work?

Condition monitoring, or structural health monitoring, detects changes or damage to structures when conductive tracks are stretched or broken. Resistance levels in the conductor tracks change when they are deformed. This information can be used to trigger an alarm.

What are some of the typical applications?

Burglary detection, detection of vandalism or material fatigue are potential areas of application.

How fast is the response time?

Information can be evaluated in real time.

Can you measure weight with tfs?

Not yet, but we are currently working on this! Please contact us if you are interested or have a specific application that you would like to explore.