Injection Moulding and Metal Forming in One Process Step

Abstract

For high-class applications (e.g. automotive interior) metal decorated plastic parts impress the customers with a metallic look and cool-touch haptics. Producing these parts has been a highly complex process. The in-mould lamination process of metal sheets allows a shortened process chain. In the process the injected melt adheres to a primer system on the metal surface. Furthermore the pressurized melt causes a forming of the metal sheet. This new technology enables a one-step production of metal decorated plastic parts.

This paper describes design principles for metal (stainless steel and aluminum) decorated parts first. Then the effects of the injection molding process parameters on the forming quality are shown. An approach to simulate the forming process is presented and evaluated by test results.