During the transformation of the automotive industry, automakers and OEMs are working hand-in-hand with technology providers to meet the increasing requirements for different parts of the vehicle. Surface decoration for both interior and exterior is no exception.

As a leader in plastic surface decoration, LEONHARD KURZ shared with Adsale Plastics Network about the recent developments of advanced surface decoration for automotive applications.

Buzzwords: Customization and functionalization

Talking about the current requirements and emerging trends of automotive interior design, Best Gu, Plastic Decoration Greater China – Automotive, LEONHARD KURZ, pointed out that customization is a major focus.

“For interior design of the automotive industry, the key word has changed from ‘standardization’ in the previous years to ‘customization’ recently,” Best Gu said.

“Furthermore, integration of the functional and decorative parts is going to be more popular, and replacement of the non-functional decorative parts will become the new standard,” he added.

When it comes to exterior design, adopting unique body color is now a prominent way of designs, according to Best Gu. “As EV (electric vehicle) is the global trend, adopting lightweight materials is the common direction. Meanwhile, how to adopt blinked materials will also be a hot topic in the market,” he continued.

These new requirements and emerging trends have brought opportunities and challenges to LEONHARD KURZ. In view of that, the company has been developing new technologies to set a new bar for automotive surface decoration.

Advanced IMD allows high efficiency and design freedom

For example, LEONHARD KURZ has been advancing the In Mold Decoration (IMD) technology. IMD is a process that combines molding and hot stamping into one working operation, which is highly efficient and also adapts to the unique design surface with the same part geometry.

Best Gu hailed IMD as “just a foil roll change can create a totally different surface finishing”. He explained that continuous processes with high efficiency are necessary for the automotive application, and thanks to the IMD technology, manufacturers can have lots of surface finishing options with just one mold as well as change easily from design to design.

Besides, thanks to the complete decoration of plastic parts during the molding operation, the production costs can be reduced. It is because decoration after molding, in-process inventory, and additional working steps can be dropped.

LEONHARD KURZ and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag have developed highly efficient IMD processing for producing automotive badge.

Specifically, LEONHARD KURZ and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag have developed a pioneering application of IMD for automotive exterior, in which design badges for the front or rear of vehicles can be produced with contactless subsequent cleaning of the part.

As said, there are no limits to the freedom of design with the innovative processing. Component produced by the “IMD second surface” processing is durable and can also be used for autonomous vehicles of the future.

Another latest innovation LEONHARD KURZ has developed is IMD PUR process. “This dual-technology process fills the requirements of both exterior and interior. It makes crystal shape, self-healing, etc. possible,” he said.

Polyurethane is durable and lends stability to surfaces. Colors and designs keep their luster and beauty longer because the material shrugs off weather conditions, chipping and scratching. IMD PUR even performs self-heal after scratching with just a few rays from the sun.

LEONHARD KURZ has launched IMD PUR.

Even very thin polyurethane layers, of 0.2 mm, display an enthralling crystalline depth effect. Under them, the design options of IMD, including single or multicolor, partial- or full-surface, chrome or carbon finish, matt or backlit, are available.

A rich portfolio unlocks endless possibilities

In addition to the IMD technology, LEONHARD KURZ overcomes the new challenges with other processing solutions. For example, hot stamping is a solution for high-class surface decoration in the graphic industry, which meets stringent requirements for 2D surfaces and tactile designs with brilliance and durability.

Moreover, Print Mold Design (PMD), from LEONHARD KURZ subsidiary BURG DESIGN, incorporates complex geometries with “unlimited” design effects, such as lighting, delicate feel and transparency.

Surface aesthetics realized with the PMD technology can also be combined with integrated capacitive sensors. This makes it possible to merge functionalities into the installed plastic parts, for example, the control panels on functional door trims.

In OFF mode, such functions can be hidden. When proximity sensors detect the start of integrated functions requested by the user, the ON button becomes visible and functions can be controlled via touch.

Surface produced with PMD can be equipped with integrated capacitive sensors.

Best Gu also introduced the IMD VARIOFORM process and PolyTC sensors. IMD VARIOFORM includes four processing steps at once: decorating, thermoforming, injection molding and punching. It is specially designed for producing plastic parts with demanding, deformed and extreme 3D geometries.

From LEONHARD KURZ subsidiary PolyIC, PolyTC sensor films are thin, flexible and robust, making them suitable for seamless capacitive touchscreens and smart user interfaces in automotive applications. They are particularly suitable for integrated Human Machine Interface (HMI) with different electronic functions.

Concluding the company’s rich portfolio, Best Gu emphasized, “Each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, more options bring more ideas and possibilities to our customers.”

During the transformation of the automotive industry, automakers and OEMs are working hand-in-hand with technology providers to meet the increasing requirements for different parts of the vehicle. Surface decoration for both interior and exterior is no exception.

As a leader in plastic surface decoration, LEONHARD KURZ shared with Adsale Plastics Network about the recent developments of advanced surface decoration for automotive applications.

Buzzwords: Customization and functionalization

Talking about the current requirements and emerging trends of automotive interior design, Best Gu, Plastic Decoration Greater China – Automotive, LEONHARD KURZ, pointed out that customization is a major focus.

“For interior design of the automotive industry, the key word has changed from ‘standardization’ in the previous years to ‘customization’ recently,” Best Gu said.

“Furthermore, integration of the functional and decorative parts is going to be more popular, and replacement of the non-functional decorative parts will become the new standard,” he added.

When it comes to exterior design, adopting unique body color is now a prominent way of designs, according to Best Gu. “As EV (electric vehicle) is the global trend, adopting lightweight materials is the common direction. Meanwhile, how to adopt blinked materials will also be a hot topic in the market,” he continued.

These new requirements and emerging trends have brought opportunities and challenges to LEONHARD KURZ. In view of that, the company has been developing new technologies to set a new bar for automotive surface decoration.

Advanced IMD allows high efficiency and design freedom

For example, LEONHARD KURZ has been advancing the In Mold Decoration (IMD) technology. IMD is a process that combines molding and hot stamping into one working operation, which is highly efficient and also adapts to the unique design surface with the same part geometry.

Best Gu hailed IMD as “just a foil roll change can create a totally different surface finishing”. He explained that continuous processes with high efficiency are necessary for the automotive application, and thanks to the IMD technology, manufacturers can have lots of surface finishing options with just one mold as well as change easily from design to design.

Besides, thanks to the complete decoration of plastic parts during the molding operation, the production costs can be reduced. It is because decoration after molding, in-process inventory, and additional working steps can be dropped.

LEONHARD KURZ and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag have developed highly efficient IMD processing for producing automotive badge.

Specifically, LEONHARD KURZ and Sumitomo (SHI) Demag have developed a pioneering application of IMD for automotive exterior, in which design badges for the front or rear of vehicles can be produced with contactless subsequent cleaning of the part.

As said, there are no limits to the freedom of design with the innovative processing. Component produced by the “IMD second surface” processing is durable and can also be used for autonomous vehicles of the future.

Another latest innovation LEONHARD KURZ has developed is IMD PUR process. “This dual-technology process fills the requirements of both exterior and interior. It makes crystal shape, self-healing, etc. possible,” he said.

Polyurethane is durable and lends stability to surfaces. Colors and designs keep their luster and beauty longer because the material shrugs off weather conditions, chipping and scratching. IMD PUR even performs self-heal after scratching with just a few rays from the sun.

LEONHARD KURZ has launched IMD PUR.

Even very thin polyurethane layers, of 0.2 mm, display an enthralling crystalline depth effect. Under them, the design options of IMD, including single or multicolor, partial- or full-surface, chrome or carbon finish, matt or backlit, are available.

A rich portfolio unlocks endless possibilities

In addition to the IMD technology, LEONHARD KURZ overcomes the new challenges with other processing solutions. For example, hot stamping is a solution for high-class surface decoration in the graphic industry, which meets stringent requirements for 2D surfaces and tactile designs with brilliance and durability.

Moreover, Print Mold Design (PMD), from LEONHARD KURZ subsidiary BURG DESIGN, incorporates complex geometries with “unlimited” design effects, such as lighting, delicate feel and transparency.

Surface aesthetics realized with the PMD technology can also be combined with integrated capacitive sensors. This makes it possible to merge functionalities into the installed plastic parts, for example, the control panels on functional door trims.

In OFF mode, such functions can be hidden. When proximity sensors detect the start of integrated functions requested by the user, the ON button becomes visible and functions can be controlled via touch.

Surface produced with PMD can be equipped with integrated capacitive sensors.

Best Gu also introduced the IMD VARIOFORM process and PolyTC sensors. IMD VARIOFORM includes four processing steps at once: decorating, thermoforming, injection molding and punching. It is specially designed for producing plastic parts with demanding, deformed and extreme 3D geometries.

From LEONHARD KURZ subsidiary PolyIC, PolyTC sensor films are thin, flexible and robust, making them suitable for seamless capacitive touchscreens and smart user interfaces in automotive applications. They are particularly suitable for integrated Human Machine Interface (HMI) with different electronic functions.

Concluding the company’s rich portfolio, Best Gu emphasized, “Each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, more options bring more ideas and possibilities to our customers.”