IML AND IMD | TECHNOLOGY
and Noriphan XWR inks show good cohesion in the compound and are practically not strippable. Dual designs in IMD/FIM technology are now also possible. As a result of the development of chemically and abrasion resistant dual-cure screen printing lacquers, the films can be decorated from both sides, for example, for creating matt/gloss or 3D effects or special dual designs. Dual design means that a transparent PC film is first surface decorated, for example with a haptic aluminium brush effect. This is achieved by first a semi-transpar- ent silver layer and then overprinted with a thick line structure of the highly resistant Norilux DC dual-cure lacquer. The second surface of the film can then be decorated, for example with a photo-realistic wood or stone image, realised by four-colour process screen printing with the new NoriCure IMS UV-cur- ing inks. However, the first ink layer on the second surface is a semi-transparent black, to prevent the image shining through. The wood image is then back printed with a white tinted adhesion promoter in the Noriphan IMD/FIM ink range. The decorated PC film is then 3D formed and back moulded with a transparent polycarbonate. Leonhard Kurz has developed an IMD Vari-
oform process that can be used to manufacture and decorate, in a single step, components for which no efficient decoration solution was previ- ously available due to their three-dimensional geometry. Due to IMD Varioform, the fast and flexible IMD roll-to-roll technology can now be employed with these components. Using the single-step IMD Varioform process, the component is decorated, formed, back-injected, and stamped directly within the injection mould. The process combines IMD, forming and stamping techniques. “We have been looking for a way to economically
decorate somewhat more three-dimensional shapes,” says Martin Hahn, in the application division
Below: PolyTC sensors with metal mesh structures from PolyIC. Left: Display sensor with non-visible conductor tracks. Right: Trackpad sensor
responsible for technology and innovation at Kurz. “With IMD Varioform, we have now filled this gap and rounded off our broad range of decoration technologies. The process is highly efficient and offers previously unimaginable flexibility in the selection of surface design, geometry, and mould- ing material. IMD Varioform is the perfect solution to the increasingly stringent requirements of product developers and designers.” The company adds that IMD Varioform offers the same design freedom as the IMD process. Design changeovers are performed simply by exchanging the IMD Varioform foil roll. This enables a wide variety of single-image and continuous designs to be processed in the same mould. It also makes individualised features economically viable. Kurz offers a large spectrum of design and functional foils for its decoration technologies, and these are also available for IMD Varioform. The possibilities include metallised surfaces through to true-chrome coatings, brushed effects, wood, marble or carbon look, single-image designs plus partial and full-surface backlit designs. Various tactile properties are also possi-
ble, for example smooth surfaces, distinctive structures, or soft touch effects. IMD Vari- oform foils can also be produced as top- coats formulated to meet customer-specific durability requirements. It is even possible to add touch functionality to the component by integrating the capacitive touch sensors from Kurz subsidiary PolyIC. PolyIC sensor technology is now in volume
production and silver-based metal mesh sensors successfully employed in mass-market applications. They were originally developed by PolyIC only as accompanying components for printed microchips, but now PolyTC capacitive sensors are being used in industrial applications as touch sensors for displays. PolyTC sensors have been tried-and-proven in a variety of series-production applications, including the touch panel of hot water heaters from manufacturer A O Smith and control panels of several washing machine models from BSH. Further applications in the white goods and automotive sectors are in the design and implementation phase. The sensors comprise
silver-based metallic grid structures – metal mesh on a PET substrate. The
company says that this gives them advantages over ITO-based (indium tin oxide) sensors. Their
www.injectionworld.com June 2019 | INJECTION WORLD 19
Below: A plastic component decorated with the IMD Varioform process from Kurz
PHOTO: POLYIC
PHOTO: KURZ
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
