Design blooms from within using KYDEX® Thermoplastics with Infused Imaging™ technology – an exciting new technology that puts imagery *in* plastic material, not on top of plastics. If you’re looking for more freedom in the design of your thermoplastic parts, Infused Imaging™ will help you bring stunning designs to life. Check out more about what Infused Imaging™ is and the benefits it offers over traditionally printed images.
An easy way to elevate the aesthetic appeal of plastic parts is by adding additional colors, patterns, or imagery. Even the simplest designs make a part pop and naturally draw the eye.
Traditionally when working with thermoplastics, images and patterns are achieved by printing on top of the surface by adding a capped layer. However, this method can be easily damaged, be prone to distortion, and requires an extra step in the manufacturing process.
There’s now a better way to elevate a thermoplastic design. Infused Imaging™ Technology puts color and imagery into thermoplastic material. Not on it.
In this article, we’ll give you the scoop on what Infused Imaging™ is, how it works, and how you can benefit from incorporating it into your thermoforming process.
What Is Infused Imaging™ Technology?
Usually, you’d incorporate designs by adding a cap layer to the plastic sheet, but with Infused Imaging™, the design is integrated straight into the thermoplastic sheet itself.
Infused Imaging™ is a Crystal Cabin Award-winning, proprietary process that embeds imagery into thermoplastic material. It gives designers, seat manufacturers, and airlines the power to create bespoke environments using color, images, and texture without sacrificing strength and durability.
In fact, far from compromising durability, Infused Imaging™ multiplies it.
This technology is pioneered by SEKISUI KYDEX, a company that Industrial Custom Products is proud to work with.
⇨ Learn more about the process of Infused Imaging™ on the SEKISUI KYDEX website
Any industry that wants to create beautiful, durable plastic parts will be able to benefit from incorporating Infused Imaging™ into their manufacturing process.
Benefits of Infused Imaging™ Technology
Durability
Integrating the design straight into the sheet can help in durability of the design, keeping it in tip-top shape throughout the course of its product life.
With the traditional method, a capped image on top of plastic is much easier to ding, scratch or peel.
With Infused Imaging™, the thermoplastic sheet will retain its durability and scratch resistance, no matter the conditions. Because the imagery is in the material, not on it, it does not chip, fade, or delaminate the way capped and traditionally printed images can.
Faster Production
Cutting out the process of adding a cap layer, you’ll find that implementing infused imaging will speed up your overall manufacturing process. Instead of additional work after a part is thermoformed, the design will be created at the same time the part is.
Decreased Distortion
As with any material, there is potential for the designs to become stretched and distorted in the thermoforming process. This becomes less of a problem when designing with Infused Imaging™ instead of a cap layer top of the plastic. Adjusting the tooling height and symmetry correctly ensures that distortion won’t be a problem, creating a sharper end result.
Infused Imaging™ will help with your overall manufacturing process and thermoforming needs. Allowing you to produce higher quality product that not only looks better, but lasts longer.
For expert assistance, contact Industrial Custom Products. We work closely with SEKISUI KYDEX to offer this exclusive new design method directly to you.
Contact us and speak with an engineer about your project at (612) 781-2255, or request a quote online. You will receive a prompt response.
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Industrial Custom Products is a one-stop-shop for custom manufacturing and plastic fabrication, including: prototyping and product development, die cutting and dieless knife cutting, thermoforming and vacuum forming, large part thermoforming, CNC plastic routing, fabrication and assembly and drape forming.
