In-mould decoration (IMD) films
We produce in-mould films according to the specifications of our customers, for example, for interior parts in car manufacturing. The films for the in-mould decoration (IMD) procedure are printed with decoration, tailored, 2D or 3D plastic films made from polycarbonate or polyester. These are inserted precisely into the injection mould per handling unit and back-injected with an injection moulding plastic mass.
Description
The in-mould film essentially builds the plastic part that is formed and determines its surface structure. By printing the back of the IMD films, the decoration is protected from abrasion and fading. In order to achieve a high bond strength of the IMD film with the injection moulding plastic, the in-mould films are also coated with a bonding agent after printing.
We use the Niebling procedure to produce 3D in-mould films.
The printed films are warmed up to their ‘glass transition temperature’ and formed via a mould core using high pressure. The advantage over thermoforming is the considerably lower repetition tolerance of the image position after deformation, which ranges between 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.
Sophisticated surfaces for injection moulds can be created by using IMD films with the in-mould procedure.
The IMD procedure is mainly used to manufacture interior parts for car manufacturing, but the back-injection of in-mould films can also be more economically beneficent than subsequent printing of the plastic injection moulding parts or subsequent laminating when it comes to higher numbers of units.
Quality and design of product surfaces and components are the most direct way of making an impression on the customer.
Low-cost and high-tech products thus also differentiate in their surface quality.