Product category:
Injection moulding
News Release from: Krauss-Maffei (UK) | Subject: Decoform back injection compression technology
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 April 2001
Delicate materials integrated in moulds
Krauss-Maffei's low pressure back injection compression process offers benefits in costs and design for automotive interior moulding.
Krauss-maffei's 'one-shot' Decoform back injection compression technology integrates multiple functions It produces a moulded part with the substrate and decor material laminated together in the mould without the use of adhesives
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 11 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Because the process uses low cavity pressure of under 100 bar, Decoform is ideal for integrating delicate materials ranging from thermoplastics, foil and soft foam, to leather, fabric and carpet.
It enables them to be processed without damaging the surface.
Applications already benefitting from Decoform include instrument panels, door panels and A,B and C pillars.
Hard and soft surfaces can be integrated into one process by combining Decoform low presure and standard high presure injection moulding.
Openings such as glove boxes can be produced within a single process.
The lower pressures are the key to the Decoform process and are achieved by injecting the melt into the opening mould after the material blank is formed.
As the tool is opened - between 5mm and 150mm, depending upon the tool or part design - the thermoplastics melt is injected at low pressure, and the tool then closes to compress the melt against the formed blank.
This process produces less cavity pressure and therefore requires less clamping force, so protecting delicate materials and surfaces.
Standard Decoform machines are available at 2500, 3500 and 4500kN, although larger and smaller sizes can be specified.
Decoform machines can be used for standard injection moulding procedures when the low pressure back injection process is not required.
Krauss-Maffei's UK managing director, Steve Learney, believes that Decoform will bring new levels of productivity to the automotive interiors industry: "In-mould decoration technologies are driving productivity in automotive interiors by integrating parts and so improving design freedom, quality and durability.
Decoform takes this one step further, enabling materials to be integrated at low pressures and temperatures and bringing these cost and quality benefits to the production of lightweight and delicate parts.".
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