Surface technology

Which optic is desired, how will the finished product be used? Even when the demands on the surface design of plastic components permanently increases, sometimes proven technologies such as screen and pad printing are exactly what is required. Beside the foil technologies In-Mold Labelling and Im-Mold Decoration, KH masters the entire range: painting (in chrome optics as well), laser marking, printing, scratch-resistant coating.

An overview of what is suitable for which area of application can be see here:  Surface Matrix

 

IML / IMD

Foil chic: The IML and IMD process provide almost unlimited freedom for decoration. KH realizes all process steps for both technologies in-house.

 

Painting

In chrome optics, with scratch-resistant coating, masked or soft touch: With our flatbed and robotic painting facility, the paint can also be applied to hidden angles.

 

Lasing

It is really fast: The laser removes the paint layer in the form of a symbol and the raw material appears. If required, it is backlit.

 

Chrome substitute

Deceptively real, and with mirror-effect too. Modern chrome substitute paints cannot be distinguished from genuine chrome surfaces – but they’re significantly more environmentally friendly.

 

Hardcoating

When a plastic part has to withstand a lot it needs to be well protected. This is achieved with IML, IMD or with UV painting as well. We would be happy to advise you.

 

Printing

Pad and screen printing. Every process has its advantages. We are well informed on both and even print conductor paths for the integration of electronics in components.

 

Technical information

  1. Scratch-resistant coating plus decor
  2. Vanishing effects
  3. Shielding from electrical fields
  4. Partial galvanizing
  5. IML/IMD combination
  6. IML or IMD plus laser marking combination
  7. Forming height of up to 25 mm for PC Foils, up to 8 mm for aluminum (IML)
  1. Computerised flat and robotic facilities (3 in Germany, 3 in China, 1 in Mexico)
  2. CO2 Preliminary cleaning, plasma activation
  3. 1 and 2K Paints, H2O and solvent-based paints, thermal and UV hardening systems
  4. Decor and effect paints, soft-touch paints
  1. Round table laser facilities
  2. Fully automatic laser center with integrated vision system
  3. Multiple layer lasing systems
  4. Color change marking
  1. Chrome painting
  2. IML with PVD foil
  3. FolioPlate
  1. Coating with UV paint
  2. IML with scratch-resistant coated foil
  3. IMD with scratch-resistant coating
  4. Painting with scratch-resistant paints on a special facility
  1. Up to 15 colors screen printed directly onto the component
  2. Multi-color pad printing
  3. Screen and digital printing onto IML foils and components
  4. Printing of conducting paths

A glimpse through the keyhole

Our painting facilities are mainly off-limits to visitors – after all, dust particles cannot be allowed on the freshly painted surfaces. However one could risk a glimpse here.

 

Sustainability à la KH: A painting robot that had been taken out of service was given a second life as a cleaning and ionization robot. This was made possible by the plant technology department.

Laser marking offers particularly good possibilities for variant management. The laser program adapts quickly to new customer requests.

The preliminary cleaning of components on the painting holders is a prerequisite for a flawless coating. To achieve this, KH utilizes of a variety of processes.

Further examples

Development times are long and secrecy regulations stringent. For this reason, showing current medical products as references is often a sensitive issue. Please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to present you with all our possibilities.

Storage and cleaning box for the blood glucose meter transmitter. Precision-manufactured seals protect the metal contacts of the transmitter. 

For hearing aids, decorated housing and small in-ear components of hard and soft plastic are from KH. Challenges are the thin wall thicknesses and undercuts. 

2-Component injection molding, display window decoration and buttons using the IMD process, scratch-resistant coating, ultrasonic welding and the assembly of components. Done.

IML / IMD - 35 Jahre Kompetenz

Wer anspruchsvolle Folientechnologie sucht, kommt an KH nicht vorbei. Wir treiben die Entwicklung seit vielen Jahren kontinuierlich voran und haben als erster Anbieter überhaupt eine automobile IML-Serienanwendung realisiert. Wir kennen alle Aspekte der Folienverfahren und beraten Sie gerne.

Mehr erfahren

KH Touchball

A dodecahedron is considered the perfect platonic body. Even two of them attract attention at our trade fair stands. As if by magic, one of the twelve-sided planes floats in space and is a symbol of the future-oriented surface technologies realized by KH. From Black/White Panel technology and vanishing effects to painted, heated and capacitive surfaces and various foil technologies. And it's not just about the special optic and haptic effects. The second "touchball" invites you to feel and activate light and heat. We equipped the 3D design surfaces with capacitive sensors, integrated electronics and haptic feedback. As Head of Technical Sales, Thomas Ruff's job is to feel trends: "We show what is possible today and in the future."

Black-/White-Panel

Foil technologies

Capacitive surfaces

Combination digital/screen printing

Heated surfaces

Vanishing effects

Painted surfaces

Only one foil: Printed heating coils with decor as a cover

Kristall-optik

Fünf Millimeter Polycarbonat mit kristallähnlicher Geometrie sorgen für einen aufregenden Tiefeneffekt: Je nach Lichteinfall wechseln die Farben, die darunter liegen. Mit einer entsprechend gestalteten Folie als Hintergrund lässt sich eine edle Metalloptik erzielen, auch Tag-/Nacht-Design und kapazitive Bedienung sind möglich. Für ein Projekt entwickelte KH einen anspruchsvollen Produktionsprozess für das Vorderspritzen einer Indium-beschichteten Folie (Deep Metal).

Link zum Online Seminar mit Thomas Ruff / Head of Technical Sales, Kunststoff Helmbrechts AG.

Serienanwendung

Kristallähnlich geformt, schillern die Bedienelemente in der Tiefe blau-grau – je nach Lichteinfall. Die Symbolik für Telefon und mehr ist hell erkennbar und wird nachts hinterleuchtet. 

Dabei wird eine mit Indium PVD-beschichtete Folie mit einer dicken PC-Schicht überzogen. Indium bietet Chromglanz und ist wie alle Metalle an und für sich abschirmend. Jedoch lässt sich die Moleküldichte hier so gestalten, dass es für kapazitive Bedienung geeignet ist und durch farbliche Hinterdruckung aufregende optische Effekte ermöglicht. MEHR ERFAHREN

Achieving great things together

What really matters are the people – and their specialist knowledge. The sooner you bring your project on board with us, the better. We are specialists for all aspects of the conversion of articles into plastic and, in particular, efficient production processes.

Non-binding consultation