Georg Kaufmann Formenbau bringing functional surfaces, integrated sensors to KGeorg Kaufmann Formenbau bringing functional surfaces, integrated sensors to K
Georg Kaufmann Formenbau AG will highlight the performance and innovative features of injection mold systems during K 2010 in Düsseldorf, Oct. 27- Nov. 3. Featured will be the production of molded parts with functional surfaces (e.g. self-luminous, transparent, heatable, soft-touch) and/or with integrated capacitive sensors. Kaufmann has further improved its Duo Lamination process for back injection and back injection-compression molding, as well as designed and built a demonstration mold for a variety of applications.
July 12, 2010
Additionally Georg Kaufmann will present the adaptation of production solutions, which so far have been limited to the automotive industry, for similar plastics processing applications in other markets, such as furniture, sporting goods, and household appliances.
To demonstrate these at K 2010, Georg Kaufmann will utilize the International PRIMUS Network for Innovation initiated by KraussMaffei, and on the exhibition stand of KraussMaffei, Stand 15–C24. Kaufmann is also working with other partners such as raw material producers, lighting system manufacturers, and the Technical University of Chemnitz.
The many possibilities of functional surface design will be demonstrated at K 2010 with four surface ambience-related themes: Ambient Sensors (the integration of capacitive sensors in a molded part underneath the decorative fabric); Ambient Touch (the possibilities of influencing the tactile properties of the molded part such as heating foils which can render surfaces pleasantly warm, i.e. for heated seating in sports stadiums); Ambient Lighting (electroluminescent films or light-emitting diodes [LEDs] that are integrated as colored luminous elements in the molded part); and Ambient Surface, which allows fast changeover from one decorative material to another, making it possible to produce molded parts with surfaces of different visual appeal without production interruption.
Roger Kaufmann, head of development and sales, says, “Plastic components with functional surfaces and integrated capacitive sensors open up a whole new world of applications – not just in the automotive industry but far beyond.”
Kaufmann has developed and—with support from KraussMaffei—built a demonstration mold for demonstrating the possibilities offered by the technologies. In the Kaufmann Tech-Center it serves to produce sample molded components that are characteristic of the parts produced with these technologies. The molded components are comprised of an outer part, which typically features a decorative fabric materials, and an inner part featuring decorative and/or special-function materials that can for the most part be freely chosen. Thus, it is possible to product parts with diverse functions and surfaces required by the applications. This enables designers and developers to compare and evaluate various possible designs on the same molded component.
Using Kaufmann’s Duo Lamination technology, as well as other tried-and-tested technologies, the demonstration will ensure that no process or mold-related problems can occur later under actual production conditions.
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