Textured Film for ESD-Safe Workstation Posted on November 6, 2026 (November 9, 2026) by Raymundo Rabago ☰ Quick Links × Quick Links E-Store Request Quote Request Sample Contact Technical Support Product Selection Wizard Calculate Number Of Devices/Carrier Gel-Pak Brochure Creating a Stable ESD-Safe Assembly Environment Challenge A leading manufacturer of avionics and consumer wearable electronics needed a more effective way to handle small, fragile components during manual assembly. The production environment included approximately 300 workstations, with 50 workstations per floor. The customer required an ESD-safe work surface that would also help prevent miniature components from shifting during placement, inspection, and assembly. A conventional static-control bench could address the ESD requirement, but did not inherently provide component level stabilization across the usable work area. Separate trays, nests, or part-specific fixtures could organize components, but would reduce open assembly space and add handling steps. The process gap was the need for a broad, accessible workstation surface that combined static control with temporary retention of small components. Solution The customer selected Gel-Pak TXF textured film supplied in 18-inch-wide, 300-foot-long rolls. The film was laminated directly onto each workstation, converting the bench surface into a large-area temporary fixture for manual assembly. The TXF microtexture helped hold fragile components at the point of work while preserving direct operator access. The selected construction also met the customer’s requirement for an ESD-safe workstation surface. When the work surface required renewal, the film could be changed without replacing the workstation itself. Platform Design Microtextured Fixture Surface Helps retain lightweight, fragile components directly on the workstation during manual assembly and handling. Large-Format ESD-Safe Roll Construction Supports repeatable lamination across a large workstation population while providing the required static-control performance. Key Capabilities Surface-level stabilization of small components during manual assembly ESD-safe handling environment for sensitive electronic devices Continuous, unobstructed work area without pocket walls or clips 18-inch-wide roll format suited to workstation lamination Replaceable surface architecture for routine maintenance or process changeover Standardized deployment across hundreds of assembly stations How the TXF Workstation Surface Is Used 1. Supply TXF is supplied in 18-inch-wide, 300-foot-long rolls for efficient coverage of multiple assembly stations. 2. Lamination The film is laminated directly onto the workstation to create a broad, continuous fixture surface. 3. Manual Assembly Small components are placed on the microtextured surface, which helps keep parts in position while operators assemble, inspect, or manipulate them. 4. Surface Replacement The TXF layer can be changed when maintenance, contamination control, wear, or process conditions require a renewed surface. Technology Advantage TXF combines two workstation functions in one installed surface. The ESD-safe construction supports sensitive-device handling, while the microtexture provides temporary component retention directly where assembly work occurs. This reduces dependence on separate part- specific fixtures while maintaining an open, operator-accessible work area. Benefits of the TXF Workstation Design Conventional Workstation Limitations Small components can slide or shift on a flat bench Separate trays or nests can interrupt the assembly sequence Part-specific fixtures reduce usable work area Surface renewal may involve broader workstation maintenance TXF-Laminated Workstation Microtexture helps retain components at the point of work Continuous surface preserves direct manual access ESD-safe film supports static-control requirements Replaceable layer renews the functional work surface Manufacturing Deployment The customer deployed the TXF workstation concept across a production footprint of approximately 300 workstations, organized at 50 workstations per floor. Large-format roll supply enabled the same functional surface to be installed and maintained across the operation. Operational Advantages Consistent workstation configuration across multiple production floors Integrated static control and component stabilization Reduced dependence on additional fixture hardware Open access for manual placement, inspection, and assembly Simplified surface replacement when needed Scalable material supply through 300-foot roll format Business Impact By integrating component retention and ESD-safe performance into the workstation surface, the customer established a common assembly platform across hundreds of stations. The implementation standardized the operator work area while preserving the flexibility required to handle a variety of small components. Platform Advantage Unlike a device-specific nest, TXF functions as a broad, continuous fixture surface. The workstation can accommodate different small-component layouts without introducing pocket geometry or mechanical clips. Unlike a permanent bench modification, the functional film layer can be replaced as needed. Applications Avionics electronics assembly Consumer wearable device assembly Precision manual assembly and inspection ESD-sensitive semiconductor and electronic components Sensor and miniature component handling Rework, prototyping, and new-product introduction workstations Gel-Pak's experienced technical support staff is available to answer your questions related to products or associated applications. Contact Us!
