Smart Molding International 2-2023

29 www.smart-molding.com molds and tooling Innovation in focus – Highlights of sample plate 2.0 New design with indiscernible added value Through femto laser technology, Reichle Technologiezentrum GmbH enables its customers to create moulds with holograms, colour effects, engravings without depth and particularly high surface qualities. An ideal example of the application area of this innovative laser technology is the new silicone sample plate 2.0 in pale green, brown and black with dimensions of 120 x 160 mm and a thickness of 2.7 mm. Together with starlim, the liquid silicone specialist from Marchtrenk in Austria, Reichle has, for the first time anywhere, now even succeeded in engineering a silicone mould so that more than concealed information can be incorporated in a component. Highlights of the sample plate 2.0 are the hologram and the low- friction structure at the corners. The advantage of silicone is that fingerprints do not adhere to the surface, or at least only to a very limited degree. Holograms remain a fascinating feature, despite any contact with human skin. The corners of the sample plate 2.0 are particularly interesting, as their surface is imbued with properties that reduce friction. Use of special surface textures enhances the gliding properties of silicone. Friction between objects made of silicone and, indeed, silicone objects and other materials is reduced as a result. What smells so good? A further fascinating feature of starlim's silicone plate 2.0 is the integration of micro-encapsulated A l p i ne t imbe r f rag rance . The pleasantly soothing properties of this wood scent are widely known and now combined with silicone in starlim's plate. Micro-encapsulation captures this Alpine timber fragrance in tiny capsules in the silicone. This scent is emitted continuously and repeatedly replenished through contact with water. The combination of a variety of surfaces and micro- encapsulated wood scent make starlim's sample plate 2.0 a unique product that combines innovation and design. starlim x Reichle starlim is proud to have established an exclusive partnership with Reichle. Together, the companies want to demonstrate to the world just how much can be achieved when processing silicone. This creative cooperation enables them to achieve unique features such as invisible digital watermarks on silicone parts. This opens up new windows of opportunity and expands the limits of that which was previously thought to be possible. About starlim starlim is the world’s largest processor of liquid silicone and specializes in the injection molding production of small parts made of silicone using one-component and multi-component technology. starlim's silicone parts can be found, for example, in cars, in baby pacifiers, but also in the kitchen drawer – often visible, but sometimes also installed invisibly. starlim's clear focus is on mass production. starlim www.starlim-sterner.com Picture source: starlim The advantage of silicone is that fingerprints do not adhere to the surface, or at least only to a very limited degree. Holograms remain a fascinating feature, despite any contact with human skin. The corners of the sample plate 2.0 are particularly interesting, as their surface is imbued with properties that reduce friction.