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PRESS RELEASE
Achieving design and function in a single molding cycle
Leonhard Kurz integrates surface decoration and the PolyTC® touch functionality from PolyIC into the injection molding process
Fürth/Germany10October 2012: The coating specialist Kurz has developed an integration technology that allows both functional films for touch sensors and decorative coatings to be applied concurrently to a component while it is being injection molded. This integration of functionality and decoration occurs in a process that combines Inmold Labeling (IML) with Inmold Decoration (IMD). First individual inmold labels of the printed films with touch functionality are produced and then inserted into one half of the mold and bonded to the rear of the plastic part through back injection. Concurrently, using IMD technology, a carrier foil with a decorative coating is fed through the second half of the mold, and the coating is released from the carrier and bonds to the front side of the component as it is injection molded. In order to implement both these film application processes within a single injection molding cycle, it was necessary to develop a specialized mold technology. A special-purpose functional film that is suitable for use in an IML process was also required.
Sensor films from PolyIC
These IML-capable functional films have the trade name PolyTC® and were developed by PolyIC, a KURZ subsidiary.PolyTC® are transparent films with a high sensor sampling rate, signal quality and electromagnetic immunity thanks to their metallic conductivity. These films enable the production of very thin, flexible and transparent touch sensors that can be easily integrated into many applications and can be controlled using conventional electronic components. PolyTC® films are produced in a roll-to-roll manufacturing process that enables a high production capacity.
Design freedom for sensor controls
The decisive advantage of using this novel Kurz technology to manufacture transparent touch displays is that it enables the touch functionality to be integrated directly into the part by means of inmold labeling. When used to manufacture touch control panels for electrical or electronic appliances, for example, this process allows a uniform and elegant surface design to be achieved, while at the same time offering unlimited scope for varying the appearance and quality level of the product depending on the particular IMD foil selected.
Kurz's IMD designs come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and structures, for example with a realistic wood, marble or carbon look. A broad range of true metal coatings are also available. These can be produced in bright metallic colors, with a variety of gloss levels or with a sandblasted or brushed surface appearance. All of these designs are available for use when decorating appliances with touch sensor panels. To enable these buttons to be capacitively controlled, so-called NCVM (Non Conductive Vacuum Metallized) coatings are used in the manufacture of these metallic designs. This design freedom opens up new surface design possibilities for automotive interiors and telecommunication, household or entertainment appliances.
The combined IML and IMD process delivers not only design, but also cost advantages because it provides an especially efficient method for achieving both part decoration, and integration of the touch functionality, within a single injection molding operation. You can assess for yourself the success of this process by visiting the Kurz booth A2-2219 in Hall A2 at Fakuma. PolyIC will be presenting two applications at the booth: a center stack with sensor control elements like sliders, wheel and touch key functionality, and a multi-touch demonstration application in a brushed metal design that illustrates how PolyTC® films can be used as touch sensors in a variety of display applications.
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Center stack with touch key function
(Photo: PolyIC)
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Touchscreen produced with the IML and IMD processes
(Photo: PolyIC)
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About KURZ: The KURZ Group is a global leader in hot stamping and coating technology. KURZ develops and manufactures decorative and functional layers applied to carrier foils for a large variety of applications. The range includes metallized, pigmented and holographic stamping foils for packaging or print products, surface finishes for electronic devices or automotive parts, protective and decorative lacquers for furniture or household appliances, authenticity features for brand name items, metallic applications for textiles, and different types of coatings for many other applications.With 3,800 employees in nine production plants in Europe, Asia and the USA, as well as 22 subsidiaries and 70 agencies around the globe, the KURZ Group manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of products for surface finishing, decoration, marking and counterfeit protection, rounded off by an extensive range of stamping machines and stamping tools. KURZ also continuously invests in new technologies, and is developing innovative solutions for printed electronics and related applications, e.g. RFID, organic photovoltaics and touch screens.
Press Contact:
Lucie Mengel
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG
Schwabacher Straße 482, 90763 Fürth/Germany
Phone: +49 911 71 41-96 38, Fax: +49 911 71 41-96 40
E-Mail:
PolyIC GmbH & Co. KG
smart and flexible printed solutions
PolyIC develops and markets products based on the platform technology printed electronics: In the course of this PolyIC offers products from the fields “Touch Sensors & Passive Devices” as well as “Printed Electronics & Displays”.
„Touch Sensors & Passive Devices“
Touch sensors based on the PolyTC® technology offer transparent, conductive and flexible possibilities for touch screens and capacitive keys in any variants. Furthermore, this technology enables the setup of flexible circuit structures as passive devices for a huge variety of further applications. The highlight is the possibility to combine decoration and function to achieve a maximum of design flexibility.
„Printed Electronics & Diplays“
Printed smart objects concerning the PolyLogo® product line offer interesting possibilities such as radio activated displays in the field of marketing. Printed RFIDs with the brand name PolyID® enable thin and flexible applications of radio detection. In the future Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) will make energy harvesting possible.
PolyIC focuses on its expertise in materials, new adapted chip design methods as well as mature and newly developed mass production processes of roll-to-roll printing in order to develop and market this new technology.
PolyIC is a member of the OE-A (Organic Electronics Association), a working group under the umbrella of the VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau). The OE-A promotes organic electronics internationally. Furthermore, PolyIC is a member of DFF, the
German Flat Panel Display Forum and of AIM-D e.V., an association for automatic identification and mobile data capture.
LEONHARDKURZ Stiftung & Co. KG owns 100% of PolyIC’s shares which results excellent synergies in the field of decoration and function.PolyIC is headquartered within the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region in Fuerth.
PolyIC’s webpage is accessible at .
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG · 90763 Fürth · Phone +49 911 71 41-0 · Fax +49 911 71 41-357