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Part 4 What Is A PCM … How to Pick the Right PCM Active Cooling Solution for Your Product Line

Writer's picture: Ioannis AnastasakisIoannis Anastasakis

So you recognize that you need a PCM active cooling solution as part of your product heat stress solution offering, and you need to decide what kind of PCM solution fits your need.  As mentioned last week, you can start to address this question by considering 5 variables, Duration, Cost, Weight, Durability, Modularity.  Each variable will carry a different value or weight to you but think through each and its implications on your customer.

Last week we discussed Duration and Cost and how thee two variables impact each other.  This week we need to look at Weight, Durability and Modularity.


Weight

Weight plays a role in how the actual buyer may feel about the #coolingvest or #activecooling solution you are trying to sell them, before even trying it.  PCM vests tend to weigh more than evaporative cooling vests but work where evaporative cooling vests do not. A PCM vest can weigh 4-5lbs (or less) and last 2-3hrs at a fixed temperature.  More often than not, the user, when comparing working say in a furnace room without a PCM vest and being impacted by heat fatigue vs with a PCM vest and avoiding heat fatigue, does not notice the 4-5lbs, but not always.  The weight of a PCM vest is made up by the carrier and the PCM inserts, so you need to play with both to keep the weight down as a selling feature but keep the cooling temperature and duration up as a selling feature.  It is a balancing act to get it right and avoid any sales obstacles.


heat stress and cooling vests

Modularity

Modularity, or design options for materials used and PCM variations from your supplier is a key consideration.  We offer different temperature options, different encapsulation options and different phase change material options.  We even throw in color options, but would prefer that you do not choose yellow as a color option for your PCM.


KewlFabric PCM Options

Modularity does not just end with the above options, it also includes the ability to make PCM inserts into a variety of sizes and shapes that meet the particular needs of your product line.


There are a variety of vest inserts that can be made, a variety of stand-alone PCM vests (no carrier needed), crown coolers for hard hats and bump caps, neckbands, brow pads etc. all can be shaped into PCM inserts.  Don’t restrict your PCM offering by selecting the wrong PCM partner who does not have the skills to create the insert shape you want and the know how to provide the various material options.


Durability

Durability … and quality are important considerations when selecting your PCM and PCM supplier.  Durability does relate to and can be impacted by the encapsulation material you choose but any of the three above (Nylon, TPU or Aluminium) work very well.  Durability and quality also relate to the expertise of the maker.  Whether using TPU, Nylon or Aluminium, do they have the expertise to create properly sealed inserts so that there are no leaks?  You cannot afford to have your inserts leak due to poor seals.


These five key variables to consider when selecting your PCM solution will play a key part in the success of your PCM product offering.  We at KewlFabric Solutions can help guide you through the process.


The Technology of Kewl! Beat The Heat! Get It Done!



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