everything RF recently interviewed Mazen Shehaiber, the VP Sales and Engineering for 3Gmetalworx. He Graduated from the Mechanical Engineering program in 2004 from TMU in Toronto. He joined 3G as a quality engineer in 2005 and has since worked multiple roles, including application engineering, design engineering, engineering manager.
Q. 3G Shielding Specialties consists of four brands — Waveseal, 3G Metalworx, Wavexorb, and Thermaworx. Could you give us an overview of each division and how they work together to provide comprehensive shielding and thermal solutions?
Mazen Shehaiber: It all started with 3Gmetalworx 31 years ago. The goal was to provide custom application specific board level shielding. To provide clients with the engineered solution they need rather than ask them to follow a specific process to change their design to meet our standard products. The 3Gmetalworx brand now produces thousands of unique part numbers, from basic board level shielding to complex hybrid shields, machined shields with Form in place gaskets and sheet metal enclosures. All custom engineered solutions to meet client's needs.
As frequencies increased, Microwave absorbers were required inside board level shields and machined house. As more and more applications required them, 3G developed the Wavexorb line of microwave absorbers. With over 70 different formulations of microwave absorbers ranging from low frequencies, broadband, foam, surface wave and tuned frequency absorbers going all the way to 70+ GHz. 3G again custom fabricate these materials and install them to any of the metal products offering our clients turnkey solutions.
Since 3G was the trusted solution provider for Board level shielding, clients asked for enclosure level shielding as well and 3G created our Waveseal brand of EMI gaskets. From low-cost fabric over foam, to form in place gaskets to conductive elastomers, 3G supports clients with thousands of unique EMI gaskets. this has established 3G as an industry leader and trusted partner to thousands of clients. Engineers rely on 3G to solve all their EMI shielding needs. Whether on the board or on the enclosure level.
Lastly as frequencies continue to increase, chips sets and components get hotter, 3G introduced our Thermaworx line of thermal gap pad materials and heatsinks. 3G can now provide client an integrated engineering solution solving with thermal and EMI shielding all in one.
Board-level shielding
Q. What is the origin story of 3G Shielding Specialties? How has the company evolved over the years, and what have been some major milestones?
Mazen Shehaiber: 3G started in 1994. Our first client needed a multicavity shield for a Wireless access point. we looked at what was out there for EMI shielding. Our clients' options were – a stamped solution where there was a large tooling cost (hard tooling) and lead time was 10 weeks plus. – a chemically etched solution that limited material selection (bare alloy only), and didn’t provide formed features (dimples for electrical grounding) – or a semi-custom semi standard solution, where the client had to change their design to match the product the shield they needed. We didn’t want to offer any of these as solutions. We wanted to provide what the client needed, without compromise. To offer limitless design features, without a tooling cost whatsoever, in 2 weeks or under. Machines that can do that didn’t exist. So, we first designed and made the equipment to make shielding, and then we started making the shields. The goal is always to provide the best service to the client. Now, when clients reach out, they receive a quote, solid models, comprehensive drawings for their quantities within a day, and prototypes in under 2 weeks. This is what sets 3G apart. An engineering company first, that provides the exact solution clients wants and is very responsive.
Q. Could you elaborate on your enclosure shielding and conductive EMI gasket solutions under the Waveseal product line? What types of gaskets do you offer and how are they typically used in the field?
Mazen Shehaiber: The Waveseal brand of EMI gaskets includes:
- Fabric over foam gaskets.
- Conductive foam (XYZ gaskets)
- Knitted metal EMI gaskets
- Wire Oriented Silicone gaskets
- Conductive Elastomer gaskets
- Form in place dispensed EMI gaskets.
These materials can be fabricated, die cut, kiss cut, molded, vulcanized, sold in strips, sheets, or O-rings. When clients come to us with a new for EMI shielding, the application engineers at 3G will make recommendations based on the environment (indoor/ outdoor) that the gaskets will be used in. the function of the gaskets (is there a groove, the size of the groove, what its attaching to), any chemicals the gaskets are exposed to and other factors. 3G ensures that clients get the best solution.
Q. You also provide board-level shielding solutions. Can you explain the differences between single-piece and two-piece shielding cans, and how they compare in terms of performance, assembly, and rework?
Mazen Shehaiber: One piece board level shields are the lowest cost solution. These shields can come in tape and reel for higher volumes or packaged in standard trays. two-piece shields have a removable cover for rework. The frames (the base) can be placed in tape and reel, and can be reflowed like a one-piece shield, but the cover is added after the fact. Two-piece shields make it possible for client to rework and test. For a single circuit a one-piece shield and two-piece solution will provide similar shielding performance. For multi circuits solutions (multizone, and hybrid shields), a two-piece solution will give the client the best performance.
Board-level Shielding
Q. Your Wavexorb brand focuses on microwave absorbers. What types of absorbers do you manufacture, and what factors influence your material selection and design methods?
Mazen Shehaiber: 3G manufactures:
- Narrowband absorbers (absorbers made for a specific frequency)
- Broadband absorbers (absorbers made for a range of frequencies)
- Low Frequency absorbers (absorbers for frequencies less than 4 GHz)
- Surface-wave absorber (absorber where the wave will be along the surface of the absorbers)
- Foam absorbers (foam-based absorbers)
Client selects absorbers based on the application they have and frequencies they need. 3G provides the client with the mu, epsilon data and clients can simulate the performance for their application. The most common absorbers 3G manufactures are Silicone based, and clients have over 70 formulations to select from.
Narrowband Absorber from 1-65 GHz
Q. What are Thermal Interface Materials, and why are they critical for high-performance electronic assemblies? What types of TIMs do you offer under Thermaworx?
Mazen Shehaiber: Thermaworx is the latest brand of products from 3G. 3G offers thermal interface materials (TIMS) ranging from 1W/mk to 15W/mk with new material added constantly as client have new requirements. In addition, 3G offer standard and custom Thermaworx heatsinks.
Thermal Interface Materials
Q. What sets 3G Shielding Specialties apart from other EMI shielding and thermal management solution providers?
Mazen Shehaiber: 3G is an engineering company first. Our application engineers work with our clients to provide them with a turnkey solution that solves their problems, without compromise. 3G is a responsive partner to our clients and works with them to provide the latest technology in shielding and thermal management. 3G supports over 1,000 OEM clients and their CM partners.
Q. Customization appears to be a key part of your offering. Can you walk us through your process of developing tailored shielding or absorber solutions—from customer consultation to prototyping and delivery?
Mazen Shehaiber: Yes, 3G doesn’t want clients to compromise. 3G aims to provide our clients with a custom engineered solution. Typically, clients reach out to us with a need. Our application engineers will ask them some questions to understand the need. Clients will send data also that might include the PCB footprint or just simple sizes. 3G will send detailed specs, solid models and a quote within 24 hours. Client can conduct a fit check and review the solution, make changes as needed and then approve the solution. We are the fastest in the industry, and the only shielding company that can design and manufacture turnkey solutions that include board level shielding, machined parts, EMI gaskets, absorbers, thermal…
Q. What does the future look like for 3G Shielding Specialties? Could you share a glimpse of your product roadmap or strategic goals for the next few years?
Mazen Shehaiber: 3G continues to grow. We are very excited for what is yet to come in the future. 3G is expanding our thermal offering to include more Heatsink solutions. 3G is in the midst of opening our 4th manufacturing facility in St-petes Florida. 3G has opened an advanced materials laboratory in Toronto Metropolitan University. 3G has built an EMI chamber to test and characterize different materials and to develop them in this laboratory. 3G will be launching new microwave absorbers in the near future. STAY TUNED…
