Smart Molding International 2-2022

34 molding technologies smart_molding international 2/2022 "C o l o r Fo rm techno l ogy holds great potential for a lower CO 2 footprint in the production of components with a finished multifunctional surface," explains Michael Fuchs, Global Appli- cation Owner Surface & Lightweight at KraussMaffei. Now the technology once more demonstrates its strengths at TECHNIPLAS, the well-known pro- vider of sophisticated plastic compo- nents for the automotive and plumb- ing industries. In Treuen, Saxony in the Vogtland region, a KraussMaffei MXW 1000 ColorForm system for the series production of components with a transparent surface has been put into operation. Process expertise and quality awareness are the keys to sustainable production in the automotive in- dustry. The wealth of experience of Techniplas as the user and KraussMaffei as the provider of injection molding technology and PUR/PUA processing systems makes solutions possible that become increasingly more significant these days. ColorForm, that is, the ingenious fusion of injection molding technology and surface finishing with polyurethane in a single process step, is one such solution. ColorForm: Coating right in the mold The ColorForm process is based on a combination of injection molding and polyurethane processing. The tried- and-tested multi-component injection molding procedure is the foundation of this process. What is special about it: After injection molding of the ther- moplastic mold base body, this body is flow-coated with polyurethane (PUR) or polyurea (PUA) as the surface mate- rial in a second cycle. The RimStar Flex ColorForm reaction process machine, which was designed specifically for this process, and the mixing head feed the surface mate- rial (PUR/PUA) directly into the cavity. "RimStar systems take up very little space and meter even small amounts precisely and at a high clock frequen- cy," explains Philipp Strasser, Global Application Owner RPM& Automotive at KraussMaffei. Transparency with depth effect "On this system, parts are produced in the injection-compression molding • Depth effect for premium-quality automotive components • Customer benefits from KraussMaffei expertise in injection molding and reaction process machinery • Flow-coating with PUR directly in the injection mold • Reduction of working steps saves money and conserves CO 2 For more sustainability in the automotive industry: Techniplas and KraussMaffei build new MXW 1000 ColorForm system At Techniplas, the MXW 1000 ColorForm from KraussMaffei produces premium-quality automotive components (all photos: KraussMaffei)