 "Smart panels and intelligent surfaces in the automobile | ENGEL")
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Smart panels for the automotive industry
Intelligent surfaces thanks to function integration
By combining the right materials with advanced injection moulding processes, intelligent surfaces can be created that not only meet high optical quality criteria, but also enable a wide range of functional integration. Produce ready-to-install smart panels in just one process step and avoid unnecessary rework and high production costs.
Realised automotive panels for our customers
Design and manufacture of smart panels
Insights into the injection moulding production of automotive panels with intelligent surfaces
Heating foil combined with the clearmelt process for the production of automotive panels
Heating foil combined with the clearmelt process for the production of automotive panels
Rear end cover manufactured using the combimelt process with design film
Film unwinder above the injection mould for the foilmelt process in the roll-to-roll process
Complex 3D geometries are produced using the foilmelt process with different foil designs
Use of a robot in the production of intelligent surfaces
Automotive front panel with film integration and PUR top layer - still permeable for lidar and radar systems
Production of a smart panel with a sliding table mould
 "Michael Fischer | ENGEL")
I will be happy to advise you on the options for customising the layer structure of your component.
Together we will find the right solution.
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Plastic parts combined with decorative foils
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Plastic parts combined with PUR-flooded surface
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Plastic parts combined with decorative foils and PUR-flooded surface
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Multi-component injection moulding combined with decorative foils
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Multi-component injection moulding combined with decorative foils and PUR-flooded surface
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Plastic parts with decorative, functional foils and PUR-flooded surface
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Multi-component injection moulding with functional foils and PUR-flooded surface
The optical finishing of plastic surfaces can be easily achieved with the ENGEL foilmelt process. Whether using the roll-to-roll or in-mould decoration process, the result is a component with an aesthetic surface that is produced in just one process step. The foil or design can be changed easily.
Perfect high-gloss surfaces can be produced using the ENGEL clearmelt process. The plastic component is manufactured in a single process step and then coated with a scratch-resistant, self-healing PUR layer. This saves you time-consuming and expensive painting and coating lines.
In the ENGEL foilmelt process, a film is fed into the injection mould. Depending on the mould concept (sliding table or turning plate), the back-injected component is then coated with a PUR layer using the clearmelt process. The result: a visually appealing component with a scratch-resistant surface in just one process step.
The integration of lighting elements in plastic components and automotive panels enables new design approaches in automotive exteriors and interiors. The decorative film is back-injected with a transparent plastic using the ENGEL foilmelt process. A second, dark thermoplastic layer is produced using the combimelt process. This allows geometries to be moulded that are required for the subsequent assembly of the component.
Substitution of the painting line, scratch-resistant and aesthetic surfaces, simple design change of the film layer and integration of functions can be realised in a single process step. Complex automotive panels can be created by combining the combimelt, foilmelt and clearmelt injection moulding processes and the corresponding tool designs. Optionally, the pre-moulded film can be fed into the process from the outside.
Films can not only be used to enhance the appearance of plastic components. The integration of functions using heating foils (in-mould electronics, IME), for example, offers another way of using plastic components effectively in the automotive industry. The combination of machine and mould concept with corresponding injection moulding processes turns visions into reality.
To protect the functional film, a scratch-resistant and self-healing PUR layer is applied using the clearmelt process. The upstream injection moulding process in the combimelt process enables the integration of assembly elements on the component itself, without the need for time-consuming reworking.
The optical finishing of plastic surfaces can be easily achieved with the ENGEL foilmelt process. Whether using the roll-to-roll or in-mould decoration process, the result is a component with an aesthetic surface that is produced in just one process step. The foil or design can be changed easily.
Perfect high-gloss surfaces can be produced using the ENGEL clearmelt process. The plastic component is manufactured in a single process step and then coated with a scratch-resistant, self-healing PUR layer. This saves you time-consuming and expensive painting and coating lines.
In the ENGEL foilmelt process, a film is fed into the injection mould. Depending on the mould concept (sliding table or turning plate), the back-injected component is then coated with a PUR layer using the clearmelt process. The result: a visually appealing component with a scratch-resistant surface in just one process step.
The integration of lighting elements in plastic components and automotive panels enables new design approaches in automotive exteriors and interiors. The decorative film is back-injected with a transparent plastic using the ENGEL foilmelt process. A second, dark thermoplastic layer is produced using the combimelt process. This allows geometries to be moulded that are required for the subsequent assembly of the component.
Substitution of the painting line, scratch-resistant and aesthetic surfaces, simple design change of the film layer and integration of functions can be realised in a single process step. Complex automotive panels can be created by combining the combimelt, foilmelt and clearmelt injection moulding processes and the corresponding tool designs. Optionally, the pre-moulded film can be fed into the process from the outside.
Films can not only be used to enhance the appearance of plastic components. The integration of functions using heating foils (in-mould electronics, IME), for example, offers another way of using plastic components effectively in the automotive industry. The combination of machine and mould concept with corresponding injection moulding processes turns visions into reality.
To protect the functional film, a scratch-resistant and self-healing PUR layer is applied using the clearmelt process. The upstream injection moulding process in the combimelt process enables the integration of assembly elements on the component itself, without the need for time-consuming reworking.
Surfaces with integrated functions are becoming more present in our everyday lives. We ask Michael Fischer, Business Development Automotive, what impact smart user interfaces are having in the automotive industry and how much potential there is.
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