Surface Finishes for Plastic Parts

The injection molding process for film back injection molding allows flexible component design. You can produce the same injection-molded part in different colors, with different surface structures, or with multicolor decorative elements – without changing mold or materials. An example: You want to produce panels in blue and red and with different decorative elements. With the standard injection molding process, you need to change the material and printing. With film back injection molding, you only change the insert film in the mold.

In addition to surface finishes, film back injection molding technology allows the integration of various functions into the plastic parts. Some examples: The use of films enables different visual impressions, especially under different lighting conditions. We integrate labels with the help of a carrier film. Preformed films allow complex part geometries. Film back injection molding enables an HMI interface through printed electronic control elements or heating of surfaces in winter to keep sensors functional.

When parts have to be particularly tough, flooding with a polyurethane coating is the best solution. In the production cell, the plastic carrier is molded first. In a second station, it is flooded with the reactive system. The thermoset PUR protective coating gives parts scratch resistance and impact strength. Self-healing effects allow scratches to disappear. The depth effect created by the coating gives a high-quality look.

Flooding creates haptically demanding surfaces that can have a variety of tactile properties. From rough to smooth, from hard to soft. The clearmelt injection molding process can create different haptic experiences depending on the requirements.

Variotherm processes are well suited to avoiding larger or smaller weld lines. They are used for high-gloss effects on surfaces and can influence the filling behavior for the smallest details. The processes are based on pressurized water or heat transfer oils and allow hot-cold switching of mold areas. They improve the detail accuracy of parts. Other variotherm processes are based on inductive heating solutions or the partial use of heating elements, among other things.

Decorative processes such as film back injection molding or multi-component processes allow the use of recycled material. A front layer of the part can cover the structural element made of recycled material. In some cases, the use of recycled or bio-based materials is made visible to focus on sustainability. This is achieved, for example, by overmolding the functional surface with a layer of transparent material. The surface of the plastic part remains visually appealing.

Integrate multiple materials and surface functions in one injection molding process. This minimizes time and costs for further assembly tasks. Thanks to the multi-component injection molding process, production takes place in one production cell. Sequential processes include core-back and sliding table technologies. They enable complex multi-component applications on machines with conventional clamping units. Maximum output is achieved with parallel processes using index, turntable, or insert technology.

We design and manufacture your complete production cell, from the injection molding machine to the robot and conveyor systems, to peripherals. You get everything from a single source, including film or insert preparation and handling, also to clean room standards. This makes it easy to set up production with film back injection molding. You can be sure of best part quality, stable injection molding processes and high productivity of functionalizing plastic parts and surface finishes of plastics.