Leonhard Kurz and Engel will demonstrate this process at K 2022 at the Kurz booth (A19 in Hall 5), where an Engel machine will mold rear covers.

Leonhard Kurz and Engel have joined forces and will present a future-proof design concept for the rear areas of vehicles, the key to achieving this being 2K materials. These innovations will be presented at K 2022, in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 19 to 26.

2K materials in the vehicles of the future

In conjunction with the Kurz subsidiary, Schöfer, it has been possible to develop a new technology of machines and processes that allows the use of a mixture of 2k materials in the manufacture of auto parts.

The term 2K stands for “two-component injection molding with in-mould decoration (IMD) technology”. To achieve this, two different plastics are used: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/polycarbonate (ABS/PC) and transparent thermoplastic Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

“This special mix of materials allows us, for example, to provide backlighting with directed light separation, without any unwanted light diffusion. This is the series-ready answer to market requirements in terms of multi-component technology,” explains Martin Hahn, Head of Application, Technology, & Innovation at Leonhard Kurz’s Plastic Decoration business. “And best of all, thanks to our careful selection of materials, the components can be mechanically recycled together later. This means they can be reused as post-industrial recycling.”

Reduced production complexity

The complex technical application is based on Schöfer’s high-end “rotating stack mould” technology, which is suitable for the production of ready-to-install components in large dimensions. The use of IMD technology in combination with 2K material blending enables the implementation of 3D component geometries and structures for 3D light effects and light barriers in a single step.

Kurz and Engel will demonstrate this process at K 2022 at the Kurz booth (A19 in Hall 5), where an Engel machine will mold rear covers. This component harmoniously combines design and functionality, says Kurz. The connected surface impresses with its seamless decoration, backlighting and 3D lighting effects.

“This means that the rear cover also makes it easier to communicate with other road users,” says Hahn. “Other highlights are only revealed at a second glance. The possible integration of touch operation offers, for example, the activation of a Shy Tech charge level indicator for electric cars. The component is also permeable to radar waves and is compatible with the latest driver assistance systems, right up to autonomous driving.”