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The new process has the potential to save millions in film costs over the vehicle production cycle.

Stephen Moore

April 5, 2019

3 Min Read
Kiefel debuts tailored blank technology  for vacuum lamination

Kiefel GmbH, a key player in vacuum lamination technology, commenced development of a completely new vacuum lamination method — the tailored blank lamination process — three years ago. The company has now fulfilled the quality requirements of auto OEMs for increasingly deep-drawn three-dimensional components with this technology. Another bonus: The new process reportedly saves millions in film costs over the vehicle production period.

The individual axes can be individually set and saved directly at the servo gripper via a tablet.

The TBL frame with the individual servo grippers.

Kiefel can now not only deliver a completely new laminating process — tailored blank laminating (TBL) — but has also successfully implemented it in a highly automated laminating machine. A peek into the process shows: A stack of film blanks, so-called tailored blanks, is positioned in a hopper for automated picking in the machine. A robot, which is part of the actual vacuum laminating station, picks up the injection-molded carrier parts from a defined point, for example from a paternoster (a chain of open compartments). Individual servomotor-driven axle systems, which can be moved freely in three dimensions, position the decorative material on the carrier part without stretching. This is followed by the laminating process. In the next step, the robot precisely places the components in the next processing machine, such as the edging machine.

The result is a complete processing line. The input material carrier part and decorative trim at the beginning of the line are transformed into a finished laminated and edge-folded component without the need for a human operator.

In order for the new process to deliver the required high laminating quality, each individual servo gripper has to precisely travel the desired and programmed path curve intended for it, guiding the film to the component completely free from deformation and compression. This is the technological basis for the draw-off-free laminating process and is decisive for high product quality.

On the basis of the CAD data of the carrier components, Kiefel developers use the processing of the component surface as the basis for the later trajectory of the servo gripper. On the basis of this data, the trajectory is automatically calculated and stored in the program of the respective gripper.

There are several options for defining the starting point of the trajectory. On the one hand, each servo gripper can be adjusted using a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. The commissioning engineer can set up and save the individual axes directly at the servo gripper. In addition, the servo gripper can be manually adjusted in "power-off" mode and the desired position can be saved.

Kiefel's TBL technology produces high-quality vacuum lamination components whilst minimizing film consumption. Film draw-off levels under 10% across the entire surface of the component with uninterrupted soft-touch is now a reality. The tight radii and sharp edges currently popular with designers can easily be implemented. Precision film positioning via TBL technology permits a radius of 1 mm at the injection molded carrier part while maintaining the soft-touch of the foam film.

About the Author(s)

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

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