Emerging technologies for automotive interior applications geared discussions at an event at Engel Holding GmbH's United Kingdom operations in mid-May.
More than 200 injection molders and 50 representatives from co-host Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) were at Engel's offices in Warwick, England, offices for a two-day event which focused on soft touch, grained and other in-mold decorative finishes, as well as different processes to provide high gloss and scratch resistant surfaces.
A fully electric Engel EM220 was shown together with a Hennecke Streamline PU dosing system running a Clearmelt application.
Engel UK managing director Graeme Herlihy said: “Motivated by the need for improved quality surfaces as well as cost down, Engel together with various partners, have given much attention to the development of new techniques for the manufacture of automotive interior parts with more and more attractive surfaces.
“But for these processes to reach a commercial reality, we need the original equipment manufacturer to be on board so that the surface fits to the whole cockpit interior.”
JLR lead engineer, materials engineering Ian Ray, said: “We at JLR are known for our high quality interiors and we need to hold on to this advantage in the market.
“Engel offers an impressive array of new processes for interior applications, and it is important that JLR has the option to be able to use such technologies in future platforms should the need arise.
“For these possibilities to be available to JLR we need the supply chain to embrace the techniques, and consequently I was happy to collaborate and partner with Engel in putting on this event to promote the technologies.”