Processes

Efficient finishing of your components can give you the edge over your competition. At LEONHARD KURZ we attach great importance to a dynamic, innovative range of technologies that can be flexibly adapted to your requirements. We are the only company in the world offering all finishing methods from a single source.

One Tool - Many Processes

The Efficient Way to Unlimited Design Diversity with LEONHARD KURZ

Whether traditional plastic injection molding, In-Mold Decoration (IMD), insert molding, In-Mold Labeling (IML), or hot stamping - different processes can be catered to with just one tool, so you can choose the most appropriate finishing method depending on the number of units required.

 

The Benefits:

  • Reduce costs by choosing the most appropriate method
  • Select the most suitable KURZ surface finish
  • Get ahead of the competition

IPD-skin® - Customization of 3D Components

In a Nutshell:

  • Maximum freedom of design for small series and special editions
  • Decoration process suitable for large parts
  • Good for various materials with haptic and visual effects
  • Low pressure and low temperature for better haptics
  • High flexibility and quick design change possible

Embossing Technology from KURZ - The Simple and Fast Way to Achieve Two-Dimensional Design Highlights

Insert Molding for Complex Component Geometries

Insert molding, in addition to IMD decoration, offers even more possibilities since the film is more heavily deformed. This is advantageous if, for example, highly profiled and shaped parts are required. Insert molding is a combination of hot stamping, vacuum molding, and casting.

IMD: Molding and Hot Stamping in One Work Step

IMD technology combines molding and hot stamping in a single work step. The plastic parts are fully decorated during the molding process, significantly reducing production costs. There is no need for decoration after molding, no intermediate stock, and no additional work steps.

This technique uses a modified hot-stamping foil, guided through the mold via a transport unit. After closing the mold, the foil is pressed into the cavity by the injection molding material. Due to the temperature of the mass during injection molding, the decorative layer detaches itself from the polyester carrier and connects to the plastic part. The plastic part can then be removed from the carrier as soon as the injection molding material has cooled down. The transport unit then repositions the film.

Game Changer: IMD Wins IMDA Award 2022

IMD-IML Decoration

During the injection molding process, this technology applies transparent, conductive PolyTC® foils for touch sensors and decorative coatings to parts. The process combines In-Mold Labeling (IML) with In-Mold Decoration (IMD).

The PolyTC® sensor foil is inserted into one half of the tool. With back-injection molding, it is connected to the back of the plastic part.

At the same time, in the IMD process, a carrier foil with a decorative coating is fed past the second half of the mold and bonds with the front of the component during the injection molding process.

Typical areas of application are control panels in the automotive and home appliances segments, multi-touch sensors for mobile communications, and innovative capacitive control elements in consumer electronics applications.

Award-Winning Decoration Technology for Complex 3D Geometries: IMD VARIOFORM®

IMD VARIOFORM® produces component parts with special 3D geometry in just one, highly efficient production step in roll-to-roll processing. Decoration, deforming, back-injection, and punching are done directly in the injection mold.

The process combines IMD, deformation, and punching techniques as a step toward integration of injection molding - selection of surface design, shaping, and synthetic material is flexible. Just change the IMD VARIOFORM® foil rolls to process different single-image and continuous designs.

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