Gazette-January-2010-Article

Desco Foot Grounders

Desco Foot Grounders = A Good Pair of Shoes

Desco’s foot grounders are made in our Rochester, New Hampshire and Miami, Florida facilities. They are made on machines that were originally designed to make and repair a good pair of shoes. Over the years we adapted the machines to specialize in manufacturing foot grounders for the static control industry. The same level of quality and competence that is applied to a good pair of shoes is applied to a Desco foot grounder. We also manufacture a variety of other products at these facilities including: smocks, gloves, welding cable covers, etc. Please stop by and see us when you are in the area. We would love to give you a tour or you can check out foot grounders being Made in America via the internet cameras at the following links:

Rochester, NH

Miami, FL

Desco designs foot grounders in order to provide the best possible path to ground between an operator and a
properly grounded ESD floor. By incorporating high quality materials and tested designs, Desco foot grounders
will last as long as a good pair of shoes. Due to our foot grounders being designed and made like a good pair
of shoes, we do not have to advise against wearing our foot grounder outside of the production area. Desco
foot grounders can be worn outside, in a parking lot and at home - just like a good pair of shoes. We also
keep the wearer of the foot grounders in mind so that they are not inconvenienced or made uncomfortable by
wearing our foot grounders. It is not uncommon to find someone that is unwilling to give up their Desco foot
grounder because it tests “Good” every time, fits well, and is comfortable to wear - just like a good pair of shoes.

Foot Grounder Design Factors:

Larger Contact Surface Area – wider bands of material
increase the surface area
Position of the Contact Area – full coverage and sole
grounders position the contact area(s) so that contact is more
consistent through the walking motion
Discrete Current Limiting Resistor – most models include 1
or 2 megohm resistors and are UL listed

Heel grounders being stitched on a Juki 1900 automatic tacker.

Foot Grounder Comfort and Convenience Factors:

Stretch Velcro® - provides a snug fit, but flexes during a
walking motion
D-Ring and Snap-Loc Fastening Systems – simplifies
putting on and taking off foot grounders

Foot Grounder Material Factors:

Scrim Layers – by incorporating a scrim layer into to the
material small tears will not turn into large ones
Non Marring Materials – by using materials that are
non-marring foot grounders will not leave black scuff marks
on floors or operator’s shoes
Electrical Properties of Materials – by increasing the
conductive content in foot grounders, operators will sustain a
constant path to ground-even in low humidity situations where
the operator’s sweat layer may be minimal.

Security stitch being stitched to
the tab portion of the heel grounder.

Click HERE to see our foot grounders.

Heel grounder being tested.
100% of heel grounders are tested.