At K 2013, Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co.KG presented its new, patented plastic decorating technology, called 3DHS, which replaces conventional hot stamping.
Kurz developed the process as a cost-effective option for decorating thin to moderate-shaped, three-dimensional parts, such as automotive vent covers.
In the past, Kurz said, these types of parts usually were decorated by galvanizing, but that requires two injection molded parts: an undecorated base component and a ring galvanized with chrome that is mounted onto the air vent.
The 3DHS process allows a single-component panel to be partially coated with chrome.
The technology requires three components that have been tailored to one another: a special hot-stamping foil from Kurz, a 3DHS die system and the 3DHS vertical stamping machine. The die and machine are made by other member companies of the Kurz group.
Kurz is based in Fürth, Germany.
Tel. 011 49 911-71 41-96 38; email [email protected].