Lean PVD production cell for vacuum metallization of plastic parts

• Fully automated production cell for metallized plastic parts
• Significant lead-time reduction & improved quality
• Joint project to be presented at #Fakuma

PVD vacuum metallization gains momentum for metal finishing of plastic parts in automotive and other industries. In new compact and automated production lines metallization and subsequent processes are integrated with injection molding, improving cost efficiency and quality. This lean-integrated production technology is revealed at the upcoming #Fakuma plastic show in Friedrichshafen.

Fully automated production cell

At the exhibition, the companies Ehlebracht Plastics Technology, Impact Coatings AB and pi4_robotics GmbH will operate a complete and fully automated production cell for metallized plastic parts. The cell includes an Engel injection molding machine, PVD vacuum metallization equipment, robotic visual inspection and packaging of produced components. Production cells with injection molding and PVD are, for example, used for metallized plastic reflectors.

PVD metallized plastic reflectors (source: Impact Coatings AB)

The integrated solution has many advantages over operating injection molding and metallization as separate processes, including lead-time reduction, improved quality, and significantly reduced scrap rates.

PVD vacuum metallization to replace chromium plating

In addition, Impact Coatings AB has introduced a small footprint solution for UV-cured lacquer, to be integrated with molding and metallization. The result is very compact, cost efficient and eco-friendly production system for decorative metallized plastic. This helps automotive, home appliance and other industries choose PVD vacuum metallization to replace chromium plating on plastic, when phasing out hexavalent chromium from the industry.

Main picture: integrated production cell for injection molding and PVD metallization (source: Impact Coatings AB)