Integrating Smart Functions Such As Display And Ambient Lighting And Touch Control Using Covestro’s Direct Coating Technology

The biggest crisis for car manufacture and their suppliers facing the challenge of integrating smart function such as display and ambient lighting and touch control in addition to wide range of products as cost-effectively as possible in to achieve broad acceptance in industry.

How can intelligent surfaces provide more design freedom and functionality in car interiors and still be produced cost-effectively? Covestro investigated this important question together with a team of three industry partners: Votteler Lackfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, laser texture specialist Reichle Technology Center and Merck KGaA as a manufacturer of pearl effect pigments.

The result is an effective concept for the production of interior parts with seamless, intelligent surfaces using Covestro’s Direct Coating technology. The coated component is produced in two steps using a polyurethane reaction injection molding (PU-RIM) process. Car manufacturers and their suppliers face the challenge of integrating smart functions such as display and ambient lighting and touch control, in addition to a wide range of visual and haptic surface properties. The goal is car interiors that can easily serve as a lounge, workspace and driver cockpit. In this way, an environment can be created in the car that combines comfort and infotainment with a feeling of safety. The goal is car interiors that can easily serve as a lounge, workspace and driver cockpit. In this way, an environment can be created in the car that combines comfort and infotainment with a feeling of safety. The goal is car interiors that can easily serve as a lounge, workspace and driver cockpit. In this way, an environment can be created in the car that combines comfort and infotainment with a feeling of safety.

In implementing the innovative solution, Votteler drew on the manufacturing expertise of Reichle Technologiezentrum GmbH, which operates Europe’s largest laser texturing site. The company provided laser-textured PU-RIM molds for the project. Covestro supplied process technology know-how, coating raw materials from the Desmodur and Desmophen ranges without solvent additives, and Makrolon and Bayblend polycarbonate plastics, which proved to be a key to the project’s success. Effect pigments from Merck KGaA can be used to achieve various color and transparency effects.

The direct coasting process, the plastic substrate in first produced in an initial cavity by injective molding. The outcome part is the transferred to a second minimally max mold .The cavity between the substrate and laser-engraved RIM mold corresponds also offers advantages .Over conventional coating separate dying step.  

For more details: www.covestro.com