IMD, IML process flow, advantages and applications

This article is to share IMD, IML process flow, advantages and applications:

I. Definition of IMD/IML

IML is a kind of IMR technology that replaces foreign monopoly, IMD/IML has absolute technical and price advantages in China.

Type of surface decoration:

IMD: Abbreviation of In-Mold Decoration, Chinese name: injection molding surface decoration technology

IML: Abbreviation of In-Mold Label, Chinese name: in-mold injection molding technology

IMR: Short for In-Mold Roller, Chinese name: in-mold transfer technology

IMF: Abbreviation of In-Mold Film (same as IML), Chinese name: in-mold injection molding technology

INS: Abbreviation for Film Insert Molding, Chinese name: Molding molding technology

IMT: Abbreviation for Insert Mold Three-dimensional

IME: Short for Insert Mold Electron

1. Definition of IML

IML -- In mold label, Chinese definition: in-mold injection molding

The inner surface printed with a pattern, pattern, text and LOGO sheet hot pressing into the 3D shape of the product, and then punching the shape and the inner hole, into the injection mold (mold) injection molding, fused resin and sheet to form a body and solidified into a product molding method, called IML(In Mold Label) process

Its very significant characteristics are: the surface is a hardened transparent film, the middle is the printing pattern layer, the back is the plastic layer, because the ink is sandwiczed in the middle, the product can prevent the surface from being scratched and has good wear resistance, and can maintain the bright color for a long time is not easy to fade.

2. IMD/IML process flow

(1) Automatic printing

(2) Thermoforming

(3) blanking (blanking)

(4) sheet injection molding

II, the process flow

Injection molding diagram

Product structure diagram

FILM layer:

According to thickness, it is divided into: 0.05mm, 0.075mm, 0.1mm, 0.125mm, 0.188mm, 0.25mm, 0.375mm, 0.5mm......

Divided into: PET, PC, PC+PMMA, ABS, PMMA......

INK layer (INK) : various levels of ink can be selected to ensure color and picture quality

PLASTIC layer: ABS, PMMA, PC, PC+ABS, TPU, PP, PA66, etc

III, IMD/IML advantages analysis

1. Practicality

◆ Cost reduction: multiple complex surface effects can be done on the same product, reducing the number of mold sets, reducing the production cost of multiple products, and improving assembly efficiency;

◆ Wear resistance: surface wear resistance, scratch resistance, surface hardness can reach 2H or even higher.

◆ Durable: Decorative pattern hidden, never fade, key life of 5 million times

◆ Beautiful appearance: glossy appearance, bright color, beautiful pattern

◆ Waterproof: waterproof, moisture-proof, fingerprint-proof

◆ Environmental protection: the ingredients in the ink are not oxidized, non-volatile, in line with environmental requirements

◆ Solve bad appearance: injection molding without clamping water lines/welding lines/flow marks

2. Diversity

◆ Color diversity: achieve any color and pattern effect

◆ Various processes: flat, three-dimensional (corner and side can achieve patterns), leather, real cloth, sand, oil painting, UV transfer, electroplating, gradient printing, etc

3. Economy

◆ Common mold production: multiple appearance effects can be combined into one design, one mold production, less open mold, reduce the assembly between the product release inclination, strong stability;

IML process advantages

1. Surface wear resistance, scratch resistance, surface hardness

Reach 2H

2. Holes are often free of water marks

3. Color variety

4. Strong light transmittance - up to 92%

5. Decorative patterns hidden, never fade

6. Meet environmental requirements

7. Multiple pieces can be combined into one, and the structural design can save space, reduce mold opening and reduce assembly gap

8. Realize three-dimensional surface decoration technology, change the traditional single color and plane modeling, and enhance the three-dimensional sense

9. Short product development cycle, compared with IMR

The development cost is low, and the mold T0 cycle is 15 days

10. The quantity of mass production is not limited

11. The key can be raised during injection molding, and the key life can reach 5 million times

12. Good water resistance

13. Do not conduct electricity

IV. IMD/IML technological innovation

electroplate

1. Non-conductive electroplating injection molding

The traditional practice is to do injection parts + plating first, not environmentally friendly, it is difficult to achieve local plating, only face plating, the buckle of the product becomes fragile after electroplating, and the electroplating layer conducts electricity, resulting in shielded signals and other defects; Can not be plated semi-transparent or fully transparent, can only be plated impervious; Contains harmful substances, not environmentally friendly. The IML process solves all of these defects.

◆ Non-conductive electroplating gun color; Semi-transparent/full transparent effect

◆ Silver plating

2. Conductive electroplating injection molding

The traditional practice is to do injection parts + plating first, not environmentally friendly, it is difficult to achieve local plating, only face plating, after plating, the buckle of the product becomes fragile and the electroplating layer conducts electricity, resulting in shielded signals and other defects; Can not be plated semi-transparent or fully transparent, can only be plated impervious; Contains harmful substances, not environmentally friendly.

The IML process solves all these problems.

Difference from non-conductive: It is possible to oxidize, affect the communication signal, and the cost is lower than non-conductive.

◆ Non-conductive electroplating gun color; Semi-transparent/full transparent effect

3. Color plating injection molding

A: Color film (coated on surface PET sheet)

B: Vacuum color plating

The traditional practice is to do injection parts + plating first, not environmentally friendly, it is difficult to achieve local plating, only face plating, after plating, the buckle of the product becomes fragile and the electroplating layer conducts electricity, resulting in shielded signals and other defects; Can not be plated semi-transparent or fully transparent, can only be plated impervious; Contains harmful substances, not environmentally friendly.

The IML process solves all these problems.

Difference from non-conductive: The surface color of the product is brighter and richer, and it has a metallic effect, and the cost is higher than that of non-conductive.

◆ Effect: semi-transparent/full transparent effect

◆ Gold plating, color plating (blue, pink)

TO BE CONTINUED