LOTTE, GERMANY — Germany's Frimo Group has teamed with toolmaker Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc. to offer integrated in-mold graining systems to automakers in North America.
In-mold graining, using nickel vapor deposition through Weber, based in Midland, Ontario, will allow automakers to use the more economic themoforming process for interior trim in place of a separate interior skin part, but still retain the look and feel of a textured mold. Frimo designs and builds complete systems for thermoforming operations.
Frimo, with global offices in Lotte, and U.S. operations in Wixom, Mich., already has three projects underway at suppliers producing parts for 2014 and 2015 Chrysler and Ford models, the company said in an Oct. 2 news release.
Weber makes tools for a variety of industries, including automotive. It lists its NVD facility as the world's largest, used to produce nickel shell tooling for thermoforming with complex shapes and textures.