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.

Product examples

High-gloss, velvety matte, soft-touch, translucent, or extremely scratch-resistant. Paint finishes are as diverse as their colors and can be customized to meet specific requirements. KH processes solvent-based and water-based paints as well as UV dual-cure paints.

KH supplies decorated housings and small in-ear components made of hard or soft plastics for hearing aids. The painted surfaces must withstand the rigors of daily use.

The ideal place to set down your shampoo: KH manufactures decorative elements using in-mold labeling for the shower tray. The overmolded film provides ideal protection.

Painting metal for high-wear surfaces? Our painting facilities can handle even our customers’ most unusual requests.

IML / IMD – 35 years of expertise

Anyone looking for sophisticated foil technology cannot overlook KH. We have been continuously driving development forward for many years and were the very first provider to implement a mass-production IML application for the automotive industry. We are well-versed in every aspect of foil-based processes and would be happy to advise you.

read more

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

Crystal optics

Five-millimeter polycarbonate with a crystal-like geometry creates a striking depth effect: the underlying colors shift depending on the angle of the light. Using a specially designed film as a background allows for a premium metallic look; day/night designs and capacitive controls are also possible. For one project, KH developed a sophisticated production process for the front-molding of an indium-coated film ("Deep Metal").

Link to the online seminar with Thomas Ruff, Head of Technical Sales, Kunststoff Helmbrechts AG.

Serial application

With a crystal-like shape, the controls shimmer in shades of blue-gray—depending on the incidence of light. The symbols for telephone functions and other features are clearly visible and backlit at night. This is achieved by coating an indium-PVD-treated film with a thick layer of polycarbonate.

Indium offers a chrome-like luster and, like all metals, is inherently shielding. However, the molecular density can be engineered to allow for capacitive touch functionality while enabling striking visual effects through color printing on the reverse side. read more

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