Smart Molding International 2-2021

IML & IMD 18 smart_molding international 2/2021 P ioneering progress from Fürth: Thin-film expert Leonhard Kurz has been awarded the 3rd main prize of the Bavarian Innovation Prize for the 'IMD VARIOFORM® with Func - tional In-Mold Labeling (IML)' process. This technological solution bundles the four processes of thermoforming, decorating, integrating a sensor, and punching directly in the injection mold - ing tool in a single processing phase. For the first time, this innovation allows touch sensors to be deformed in three dimensions, injected with plastic and integrated into geometrically sophisti - cated and decorated components. Economy in harmony with design freedom and sustainability The innovative, highly efficient pro - cess was developed for the produc - tion of plastic parts with extreme 3D geometry, for example, heavily bent, domed or curved shapes. Based on the proven in-mold decoration technology, Kurz was able to effectively combine the previously successive processes of decoration, single-image illumination and capacitive sensor integration into a 3D-shaped HMI component and com - bine them in a single manufacturing step. Sensors from the Kurz subsidiary PolyIC are used, which are 3D mold - able due to their ultra-thin metal-mesh carrier structure and can be flexibly adapted to even the most challenging component shapes. Thanks to the greatest possible de - sign freedom, there are no limits to the creative process. Individual single-im - age and endless decorations are pos - sible, as well as partial or large-scale backlighting. The advanced technol - ogy can also score points in terms of sustainability: Pure recyclates can be refined so that the end result is equal to newmaterial in terms of aesthetics. The transfer coating and PolyIC sensors also do not limit the recyclability of components. "Our innovation combines maxi - mum efficiency with maximum de - sign freedom and sustainability - even for small series", emphasizes Martin Hahn, Head of Application, Technol - ogy & Innovation Plastic Industries. "Thanks to 'IMD VARIOFORM', house - hold appliances or consumer electron - ics, for example, can become smart design objects in the future." One-stop process solution for streamlined production processes KURZ aims to make even the most complex plastics production processes as integrated, fast, and cost-effective as possible. IMD VARIOFORM® is a great example of this, because this technology allows you to bundle four separate manufacturing steps in a one- stop solution. To achieve this, you need a powerful injection molding machine - and the IMD VARIOFORM® production concept from KURZ with a KURZ IMD IMD VARIOFORM® process with Functional In-Mold Labeling (IML) convinced the jury with its triad of efficiency, freedom of design and sustainability. This technological solution bundles the four processes of thermoforming, decorating, integrating a sensor, and punching directly in the injection molding tool, in a single processing phase. Bavarian Innovation Prize for Leonhard Kurz