RAFI products enable consumers to switch on washing machines, connect devices or lock their homes using their smartphones, making life easier at the touch of a button. This is why our components are installed in countless consumer goods– including automatic steam irons, heating boilers or alarm systems.
HEATING DEVICES
The special requirements in this field are compliance with industry standards and high design requirements in terms of the appearance and flexibility of multiple product variations. Also relevant here is adhesive technology for a wide variety of materials such as glass, plastic and metal, as well as robot assembly in volume production. Capacitive sensor systems in heating devices must be highly resistant to the relevant media to prevent inadvertent or external actuation.
Examples of customer-specific solutions for heating devices
TOUCHSCREEN FOR BAKERY OVENS
Oven controls and control panel. The system consists of a GLASSCAPE touchscreen with display and customer-specific electronics. It was imperative to ensure the system is resistant to various foods such as jam, butter or flour. It also has to be easy to operate even when wearing gloves. RAFI experts developed the hardware and software and assisted with development of the control electronics. Finally, we implemented the solution in industrial application. Customer benefits
Central development by RAFI
Central project management by RAFI
Closeness to the customer
LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT
Today’s washing machines, dryers and irons come with ever more high tech to ensure laundry ends up fragrant and in good shape. Sensors for detergent metering, lighting units for washing machine drums and steam jet pushbuttons on irons are established features in homes. You can rely on RAFI for these technologies.
Examples of customer-specific solutions for laundry equipment
SWITCHING UNITS FOR WASHING MACHINES AND DRYERS
On/off and door opening switches. Household appliances manufacturer Miele wanted switches for its washing machines and dryers which were not just reliable, but also compact. Our 100 years of experience in contact technology secured us the order. Miele was able to rely on our development performance and production competence. Customer benefits
Fast project implementation
RAFI project team
Flexible production capacities for over 1 million switches per year
WASHING MACHINE DRUM ILLUMINATION
LED illumination. For the premium washing machine and dryer market, Miele required a state-of-the-art illumination system for washing machine drums. The special challenges here were water-tightness, temperature fluctuations, heat dissipation of the LEDs and detergent resistance of the materials.
Customer benefits
Solid expertise in the development of illumination refraction and light scattering
Calculation of LED heating and heat dissipation
Laser soldering of LEDs to lead frames
SWITCHING UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC IRONS
Switch combination. For its new generation of automatic irons, Miele required a combination of on/off switches, steam buttons and speed regulation with illuminated buttons. There was a particular focus on top design and reliability, plus air gap and creep distance requirements due to the tight installation space. Customer benefits
Knowledge of the required standards
Optimum illumination of keycaps using fibre optics
Complex housing developed at RAFI
Housing production at RAFI’s plastic injection-moulding facility
HOME TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
The Internet of Things and the Smart Home are already reality for many people. Growing security-consciousness means they also want intelligent home control systems. That includes simple smartphone operation. RAFI draws on the experience and expertise needed to produce the control electronics for these systems.
Examples of customer-specific solutions for home technology, safety and building technology
TOUCHSCREEN FOR DOOR SPEAKER SYSTEM
Door control system for a camera-monitored building. The RAFI system copes easily with various environmental conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Customer benefits
Complete device ready packaged for the end customer
High production standards, currently in accordance with AQL65
Rapid redesign of iTenter to MxDisplay
Software updates seamlessly integrated into the production process
TOUCHSCREEN FOR THERMAL TECHNOLOGY
Control unit for a heating boiler. The system is used indoors. Because of the ignition sparks from the internal gas combustion system, the capacitive sensor field must meet high EMC requirements. RAFI experts developed the hardware and software and assisted with development of the control electronics. Finally, we implemented the solution in industrial application.
