User's Manual

26 Mechanical integration: Mounting methods
Integrator’s Guide – RIM 902M OEM Radio Modem
into the surface on either side of the RIM 902M. This allows the radio to be
attached to a shell, a PCB, or some other mounting surface.
If using tie wraps, ensure that the surface beneath the RIM 902M is flat.
Otherwise, the mounting surface could push up on the bottom surface of the
radio case while tightening the tie wraps pushes down on the edge of the radio
case. This could cause the metal case of the RIM 902M to flex upward and
short across components inside the radio, causing the radio to malfunction. For
example, thick adhesive foam tape and tie wraps should not be used together.
Permanent industrial adhesive
The RIM 902M is small and lightweight enough to be attached to the host
device using an industrial adhesive. For some applications, this method of
mounting is preferable to bolts, because adhesive is easier to use in a
manufacturing environment, and is more resistant than bolts to loosening. In
many cases, an effective solution is to adhere the radio modem to the inside
surface of your product’s casing.
An adhesive should be chosen on the basis of its ability to stick to the material
used in the outer casing of the radio modem and in the surface to which the
radio will be mounted. The bottom casing of the RIM 902M is magnesium.
3M manufactures VHB, a permanent industrial adhesive with excellent long-
term holding power. The peel adhesion and tensile holding power of VHB tapes
are extremely high, making this a suitable solution when the radio will not
need to be removed. Choose foam tape for rough surfaces and adhesive tape for
smooth surfaces.
More information about VHB may be obtained by contacting 3M Industrial
Tape and Specialties Division at 1-800-227-5085 (fax: [phone]). The
publication number for the VHB technical data sheet is 70-0702-0266-
1(104.5)R1.