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SCS' Parylene Coating Tackles Challenges of Water Automated Meter Reading

Parylene Coating Combats Unique Water Meter Conditions With Proven, Protective Barrier; Reducing Costs and Field Failures

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (January, 2003) - With unique environmental barriers challenging the widespread adaptation of water automated meter reading (AMR), Parylene protective coating is solving these hurdles while lowering maintenance costs and reducing field failures.

Parylene is a vapor deposited, conformal, protective coating that protects against moisture, corrosion, chemicals and electrical charge. As a result, Parylene's barrier properties are perfectly suited for the unique challenges facing water AMRs like condensation and corrosion, according to officials at Specialty Coating Systems, the leader in Parylene coating services.

"Well built water AMRs that use Parylene coating will last longer, have fewer field failures and better address municipalities' concern for cost management," said Andrew Brooks, SCS Electronics Market Manager.

Because cost is a major concern for adapting water AMRs, technology has relatively remained unchanged through the years. However, Brooks added, in areas where logistical issues pose unique challenges AMR usage is expanding.

"Rural areas and locations where door-to-door reading is prohibitive or where traffic congestion reduces the number of reads are experiencing a higher rate of adoption," Brooks said. That growth will be further spurred by the protective and cost-effective properties of Parylene," he said.

According to AMR Shipments 2003, the AMR market continues to grow steadily. The 2002 shipments of four leading AMR vendors rose 19 percent in 2002.

Parylene is being effectively used to protect components from harsh environments in numerous other challenging industries including military, aerospace, medical and automotive, Brooks added.

"Parylene is also not new to the meter industry. Its proven record of success in protecting critical components and ability to reduce the factors that increase cost should be considered by companies selecting an AMR system," Brooks said. "AMR systems should be a cost solution, not a cost problem."

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Specialty Coating Systems (SCS) is the worldwide leader in Parylene conformal coating services, systems and materials. SCS has nearly 35 years of application experience and expertise in the medical device, electronics, automotive, aerospace, rubber, MEMS and ferrite core industries. With 11 coating facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, SCS leverages its worldwide Parylene coating resources in order to exceed customers' expectations. SCS also offers state-of-the-art liquid coating systems including spray coating, spin coating and dip coating systems. Additionally, SCS' line of ionic contamination test systems leads the industry in cleanliness testing equipment. For more information about SCS, call 317-244-1200, or visit www.scscoatings.com.