Mold Decoration

This term is used both to describe designs that are etched or engraved in the mold surface and the process of inserting a printed film into the mold, to be produced as an integral component of the finished product. Etched surfaces can be drawn both parallel and perpendicular to a parting line of molds or postforming in an extrusion line.. However, be alert with molds to the fact that parallel to the parting line additional draft is required. A wide selection of patterns is available and new ones can be readily created. 

it is wise to place designs and lettering as an insert in the mold. This will create an 

Most plastics can be painted, though some are a lot more difficult than others. 

Painting Paint s sprayed by air or Spray guns, spray booths, 

Electrostatic spray Charged particles are sprayed on electronically conductive parts process gives high paint utilization more expensive than conventional spray. Spray gun, high-voltage power supply pumps dryers Pretreating station for parts (coated or preheated to make conductive). 

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Injection-molded articles can be decorated by in-mold labeling or by post-mold decoration. In the former method, printed film is inserted into the mold cavity before injection. The plastic forms an intimate contact with the graphic material. Post-mold decoration includes hot stamping, dry offset printing, and decal printing. 

The basics observed in molded products are always the same only the extent of the features varies depending on the process variables, material properties, and cavity contour. That is the inherent hydrodynamic skin-core structure characteristic of all IM products. However, the ratio of skin thickness to core thickness will vary basically with process conditions and material characteristics, flow rate, and melt-mold temperature difference. These inherent features have given rise to an increase in novel commercial products and applications via coinjection, gas-assisted, low pressure, fusible-core, in-mold decorating, etc. 

Decorating is transferred to molten plastics as it enters the mold. Decoration becomes integral part of product. system foT the transfers. Static charge may be required to hold foil in mold. 

Resin compositions were also used to make molded decorative and household objects. These compounds were used for the covers of books, picture frames, buttons, and lots of other small objects. Most of these items were black, but sometimes they were made white, as an imitation of ivory. These items are britde and flammable and were the precursors to modern plastics. 

Insert molding, or in-mold decoration, helps overcome the flow lines common to metallic colored intricate injection-molded parts. By this process a film with a uniform orientation is thermoformed and fused with the surface of the injection-molded part. 

In-mold decoration can be done with either injection molding of thermoplastics or compression molding of thermosets. Thermosetting plastics are decorated with a two-stage process. For melamine products, for example, the mold is loaded with the molding powder in the usual manner and closed. It is opened after a partial cure, and the decorative "foil or overlay is placed in position. 

In-the-mold decorating Film or foil inserted in mold is transferred to molten plastics as it enters the mold. Decoration becomes integral part of product. Automatic or manual feed system for the transfers. Static charge may be required to hold foil in mold. Most plastics, especially polyolefins and melamines. For parts where decoration must withstand extremely high wear. Single- or multicolor decoration. 

ICMA International Card Manufacturers Asso- IMD in-mold decorating... 

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