IMD and IML are In-mold Decoration technologies which can add beautiful decoration and functional layers onto the plastic surfaces.
IMD and IML are used in a wide range of industries such as automotive interiors, mobile devices and home appliances. We can provide unique features on your product surface which cannot not be added by conventional process like painting, silk printing or pad printing. Our technology contributes for creating high valued surface on your product.
IMD and IML can add variety of designs and finishes onto your product surface.
On top of that, you can even add electric functions such as touch sensors / buttons and LED’s to your product surface with NISSHA IME solution. This means that both of aesthetic design and electric function can be integrated into a single product that NISSHA provides.
IMD = In Mold Decoration is the technology to apply versatile CMF finish onto 3D geometry plastic surface during injection molding.
This technology widely used in consumer electronics, appliance, automotive and medical/healthcare devices, and supports customer to achieve unique CMF finish on mechanical parts with high quality and productivity.
Nissha’s UV cured hard coat layer protect surface against scratch, chemical, UV irradiation without secondary process.
Since decoration is applied at the same time of injection molding process, surface decoration follow 3D geometry.
Nissha foil feeding system contorlled by optical sensor enables precise registration within+/-0.25mm.
Film printing and IMD molding is managed by roll to roll system. Its production is automated and efficient.
Thin IML ink is only applied to the area where decoration is needed. Volatile organic compounds can be reduced.
NISSHA’s IMD works well with capacitive touch sensor, no harm on its sensitivity
Composition
IMD is a simple and productive process. Decoration is done inside of the tooling without any pre / secondary process, and the whole process is controlled by a roll to roll system. Decoration is completed, including hard coat protection, with just a single shot molding.
IMD film is printed by high speed gravure printing process.
7 layers of graphic color (max) plus also hard coat layer and adhesion layer are applied during this printing process.
A foil feeder is installed on the injection machine. IMD film is then fed between the injection molding tool. Optical sensors in the feeder adjust registration of the film, and the ink printed on the film is transferred onto the plastic by the heat and pressure of injection molding.
After injection molding, you have complete decorated products. No secondary process is necessary. (only UV curing for hard coat)
You can achieve various aethetic effects beyond conventional painting,such as multiple colors, patterns and graphic, even tactile feeling.
Depth / Multi layer effect
Hidden til lit
Brushed Hair Line
Gradation
Marble stone
Wood grain
Leather
Fabric texture
You can have tactile feeling on plastic surface.
“Baby Touch” i(like baby’s soft skin) and “Rubber Touch” add comfortable touch of feeling.
May expect anti-slip effect.
We can provide Hidden-lit design by patterned foil + clear resin.
You can experience dead front design by switching ON/OFF mode.
You can achive metal look with our decorative film.
Looking like a real metal, it is lighter and cheaper.
You may want to use real materials for finishing to cover plastic.
Choices are thin wood, cloth, chemical leather and so on, and these add more warmth and luxury to your product.
You can have funtions on your product surface such as Anti-fingerprint, Anti-reflection, Hard-coating, etc.
Please let us know your wants.
By insert molding a decoration film with anti-bacterial coat, the property can be applied only on the top surface.
Our IMD with anti-bacterial effect achieves clean, safe user interface.
Our in-house CMF design group produces a design sample book every year using NISSHA’s Technologies.
Please take it in your hand and check the appearance and tactile feeling of the design samples.
IML = In Mold Labeling is the technology to apply printed and pre-formed film onto 3D geometry plastic surface where film and plastic are merged (mixed?, adhered?) during injection molding.
This technology is especially suitable for decorating deep and complex shape. Furthermore, because of surface IML film layer, a high-quality exterior with a sense of depth and robust physical properties are available.
Dedicated forming process prior to injection molding forms IML film deep draw and complicated geometry.
Graphic layer is fully protected from abrasion by IML film. Additional functionalities like UV or chemical resistance is available by special films.
Thin IML ink is only applied to the area where decoration is needed. Volatile organic compounds can be reduced.
Nissha range of printing methods allows flexible manufacturing. Silk-screen printing for lower volume production, Gravure printing for higher volume production.
Unique coating and printing technology can create excellent natural finishes including tactile texture, effects like stainless steel, natural wood, and fabric-like patterns.
Composition
IML process consists of multiple steps – printing, forming, trimming and molding.
Because of the dedicated forming process, IML process is well suited for deeper draw parts and complicated geometries.
Also, since the carrier film remains on the surface with the IML process, a high-quality exterior with excellent physical properties and a sense of depth can be achieved.
Printing
For IML film, Nissha has two printing methods – Gravure printing and Silk screen printing. Depending on design specification and production volume, the best printing method is chosen.
Forming and Trimming
IML film is set in the forming machine and formed into the geometry of the part’s shape by high heat or high pressure. Then the periphery film is trimmed by die cut machine or laser.
IML molding
Formed IML film is inserted into the injection molding tool and combined with resin.
Product
After injection molding, the result is finished decorated products.
| IMD | IML | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer structure | |
|
| Film | Released | Remain |
| Remain | Roll to Roll | Sheet |
| Process | Simple (Just Molding) | Multiple (Forming / Trimming / Molding) |
| Geometry | Shallow | Flexible (Sharp, Deep) |
| Volume | Middle – High volume | Low – Middle volume |
Please feel free to contact us.
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