IMD (IML, IMT, IMF, IME)
IMD, also known as in-mold decorative or in-mold transfer technology, is the use of different types of printed film into the mold cavity, after injection molding with the printed film into a one-piece printed color effect texture products (no need for other post-processing), is a combination of traditional post-processing technology and in-mold inlay injection molding technology combined with a process technology. It is a combination of traditional post-processing technology and in-mold inlay injection molding technology combined with a system of process technology.
Dongguan Shun Tai technology, professional IMD/IML13929239746
IMD is the current international popular surface decoration technology, the application field is very wide with the obvious advantage of replacing the traditional process, mainly used in home appliances, surface decoration and functional panels, cell phones and digital 3C products, window lenses and shells, various brands of cell phones and headphones, protective covers, automotive interiors and instrumentation. The main applications are surface decoration and functional panels for home appliances, window lenses and housings for mobile phones and digital 3C products, protective covers for various brands of mobile phones and headphones, automobile interiors and instrument panels and signs, medical equipment and testing instruments, cosmetics and other fields.
Conceptually speaking, IMD contains IML, IMT, IMF, IME is the general name of the process, now people will be regarded as the general name of the process of IML, is due to the IML is the most widely used in the mold decorative process of a branch. In the 1990s, the industry just emerged overseas called in mold decoration (IMD) in-mold decorative injection molding technology, with the continuous evolution of technology and iteration of the development of IML, IMT, IMF, IME and other branches of the sub-division of technology.
IML:
IML:
INMOLDINGLABEL (printed diaphragm with injection molding) surface is a layer of hardened transparent film, in the middle of the printed pattern layer, the back of the plastic layer, the ink is sandwiched in the middle of the
Process flow: cutting material → diaphragm plane printing → ink drying and curing → punching the positioning holes → diaphragm thermoforming → shear peripheral edge material → diaphragm into the mold cavity → injection molding → diaphragm into the mold cavity. Mold cavity → injection molding → finished product
Advantages and disadvantages: surface hardness, ink in the middle of the environmental protection and never lose color, no obvious shortcomings, the process is mature and stable, the color effect of the design of unlimited can be switched at will, the application of a wide range of high-yield high yield high price is relatively low.
Design considerations: the height of the product should be within 12mm (too high will be pulled through), glue thickness design should be more than 1.2mm, the product will have a certain amount of deformation.
IMF:
INMOLDINGFILM, HIGH STRETCH
Process:Cutting material→Film plane printing→Ink drying and curing→Punching positioning holes→Film high-pressure molding→Ring cutting peripheral edge material→Laminated hardening→(film into the cavity injection molding) if necessary
Pros and cons:Surface needs to be after the process of laminated hardening, for stretching! Particularly high products, diaphragm to use composite materials, such as the product has no structure can be made directly into a high-pressure diaphragm without injection molding, to CNC engraving ring cutting edge material production capacity is limited, the yield is generally relatively expensive.
Design considerations: the height of the product is not limited, the thickness of the rubber should be designed according to the thickness of the diaphragm, there will be a relatively large amount of deformation after injection molding.
IMT:
InnerMoldingTranslatelabel, Release Film
Process:Film coated with a release layer→cutting material→printing on the plane of the film→ink drying and curing→punching the positioning holes→film thermoforming→film into the mold cavity→injection molding→molding and molding release (the ink and plastic bonding with the film separated from the release).
Advantages and disadvantages: the surface needs to be coated and hardened after the process, it is used for ultra-thin products (diaphragm molding), the molding yield is not high, the capacity is limited, the molding technology is not mature enough, the yield is low and the price is relatively expensive.
Design considerations: the height of the product should be within 6mm (too high will be cracked), the glue thickness design can be done to 0.85mm, basically there is no deformation of the diaphragm after molding.
IME:
In-MoldElectronics (three-dimensional in-mold electronics) a new direction of technological extension
IME technology is in the IMD and three-dimensional circuit technology based on the development of innovative processes, is the bare "three-dimensional circuit" of the thin-film IME technology is an innovative process based on IMD and stereo circuit technology. High-performance electronic paste printed on the IMD film, the circuit, touch, antenna, LED, IC, etc., concentrated in a part, and at the same time stretched out 3D modeling bonded to the surface of the plastic product, to achieve the corresponding function of the "smart skin" or "electronic skin". The 3D modeling can realize the corresponding function of "smart skin" or "electronic skin". Further expand the degree of freedom of design, save the cost of assembly time, so that the product is more technological aesthetics. Currently, it is a hot technology in automotive interiors, which is used by automakers to upgrade their products.