Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Sustainable Plastics
  • Rubber News
Subscribe
  • Sign Up Free
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Processor News
    • Suppliers
    • More News
    • Digital Edition
    • End Markets
    • Special Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Injection Molding
    • Blow Molding
    • Film & Sheet
    • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
    • Rotomolding
    • Thermoforming
    • Recycling
    • Machinery
    • Materials
    • Molds/Tooling
    • Product news
    • Design
    • K Show
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Sustainability
    • Public Policy
    • Material Insights Videos
    • Numbers that Matter
    • Automotive
    • Packaging
    • Medical
    • Consumer Products
    • Construction
    • Notable Leaders in Sustainability
    • Processor of the Year
    • Best Places to Work
    • Women Breaking the Mold
    • Rising Stars
    • Diversity
    • Most Interesting Social Media Accounts in Plastics
  • Opinion
    • The Plastics Blog
    • Kickstart
    • One Good Resin
    • Pellets and Politics
    • All Things Data
    • Viewpoint
    • From Pillar to Post
    • Perspective
    • Mailbag
    • Fake Plastic Trees
  • Shop Floor
    • Blending
    • Compounding
    • Drying
    • Injection Molding
    • Purging
    • Robotics
    • Size Reduction
    • Structural Foam
    • Tooling
    • Training
  • Events
    • Plastics News Events
    • Industry Events
    • Injection Molding & Design Expo
    • Livestreams/Webinars
    • Editorial Livestreams
    • Ask the Expert
    • Plastics News Events Library
    • Plastics News Executive Forum
    • Injection Molding & Design Expo
    • Plastics Caps + Closures: A Global Online Event
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
    • Bioplastics Live
    • Numbers that Matter Live
    • PFAS Live
    • Plastics in Politics Live
    • PN Live: Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Polymer Points Live
    • Sustainable Plastics Live
    • Plastics Caps & Closures Library
    • Plastics in Healthcare Library
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
  • Rankings & Data
    • Injection Molders
    • Blow Molders
    • Film Sheet
    • Thermoformers
    • Pipe Profile Tubing
    • Rotomolders
    • Mold/Toolmakers
    • LSR Processors
    • Recyclers
    • Compounders - List
    • Association - List
    • Plastic Lumber - List
    • All
  • Directory
  • Resin Prices
    • Resin Prices Overview
    • Commodity Thermoplastics
    • High Temperature Thermoplastics
    • Engineering Thermoplastics
    • Recycled Plastics
    • Thermosets
    • Europe - Virgin
    • Europe - Recycled
    • Europe - Feedstock
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • LS Mtron Sponsored Content
    • Conair Sponsored Content
    • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
    • ENGEL Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • Sign up for Early Classified
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
June 21, 2018 02:00 AM

Lighting the way with in-mold decorating

Roger Renstrom
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Reprints Print
    J.W. Speaker Corp.
    J.W. Speaker already makes a SmartHeat lighting system for the flat light on commercial vehicles.

    Tier 1 vehicle lighting solutions provider J.W. Speaker Corp. is commercializing one of the first production applications of in-mold electronics, also known as plastronics.

    The new cost-effective application uses indium-thin-oxide ink bars to pull current across a thermally conductive grid to defrost the hard-coated polycarbonate lens of a light-emitting-diode source.

    The heated headlamp lens can resolve the inability of LED-based vehicle headlights to generate enough heat to defrost themselves in winter driving conditions. "Industry has been looking for this solution for 15 years," said Dragan Popovic, J.W. Speaker chief technology officer.

    The Germantown, Wis., firm offers its legacy SmartHeat-brand heating system for flat truck lights now.

    The new proprietary technology can match the curvature for automotive light surfaces. The idea is currently working its way through original equipment manufacturer design iterations with potential to reach the commercial market on model-year 2022 or 2023 vehicles, Popovic said in an interview.

    J.W. Speaker and applique specialist Advanced Decorative Systems Inc. of Millington, Mich., collaborated on the heated-headlamp-lens project. ADS handled the molding and supplied the label.

    The innovation won both best-of-show and gold best-injection-molded-durable-part awards in the 2018 In-Mold Decorating Association contest.

    Judges noted that the headlamp reflects a merging of in-mold decorating and printed electronics and could open the door to more adoption of IME.

    J.W. Speaker has worked on the concept for more than seven years.

    In past decades, "some products had ITO coatings, but it was mainly on military helicopters and aircraft windshields," said Eric Deering, J.W. Speaker lead concept engineer. "It was not economical."

    ADS and J.W. Speaker began discussions in 2015.

    "We were immediately impressed with their eagerness to get started," said Marshall Paterson, ADS vice president of development. "Within a week or two, we had created proof-of-concept parts using existing tooling we had."

    Beta trials occurred during 2017 on an existing aluminum tool, and ADS shipped the first production-level parts to J.W. Speaker in December 2017.

    The processor uses polycarbonate from multiple brands including Covestro AG's Makrolon and Saudi Basic Industries Corp.'s Lexan.

    The conductive heating element is printed on the layer of PC film prior to its in-molding into the headlamp lens. A specially-designed connector system provides access to the embedded electronics.

    A temperature-sensing element guards against destruction of the heater.

    Skokie, Ill.-based IMDA will show the winning entries in its booth during the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute's Pack Expo International show Oct. 14-17 in Chicago.

    IMDA will present the awards to the winners in a ceremony during its 2018 symposium and supplier trade fair Nov. 11-13 in San Diego.

    In-Mold Decorating Association

    Nestle's Brazil-based ice cream brand uses in-mold decorating.

    More IMDA recognitions

    Other IMDA gold awards recognized Naturcrem creamy soups for best injection molded package, Kunlun Tianrun lubricating oil K86 for best blow molded package, Beger Shield 5-star premium paint for best label design, Froneri ice cream for best part design and the 410 Plus brand for best product family.

    For packaging Naturcrem, pastry and confectionery manufacturer Dulcesol Group of Gandia, Spain, approached molder ITC Packaging SLU of Ibi, Spain, and label producer Verstraete In-Mold Labels NV of Maldegem, Belgium.

    Dulcesol wanted an innovative package for the new line of Naturcrem single-serving organic creamy soups.

    Verstraete IML combined specific inks, a special lacquer and a special oxygen-barrier film to create the in-mold label, which can withstand the rigors of pasteurization.

    For lubricating oil K86 packaging, China's Beijing Yazhengyuan Colorful Printing Co., a subsidiary of Beijing Henrianne Technology Co. Ltd., built anti-counterfeiting features such as pseudo-microprint fonts known as microtext and ultraviolet imaging into the label.

    Brand owner Kunlun Lubricant, an affiliate of publicly traded PetroChina Co. Ltd., had concerns about protecting its intellectual property.

    Blow tooling specialist BoYu Precise Mould Making Co. in Zhongshan, China, manufactured the container.

    For the Beger Shield plastic paint pails, color manufacturer and distributor Beger Co. Ltd. of Bangkok, Thailand, collaborated with Bangkok molder Srithai Superware Pcl [sic] and label supplier Korsini-Saf Ambalaj Sanayi ve Ticaret AS of Ismir, Turkey.

    The in-mold label uses Korsini-Saf's metallized film.

    A standard Beck Automation AG system applies the in-mold labels to the premium plastic pails in a one-step process and enables a decrease in the use of metal cans.

    For packaging Froneri ice cream, polymer processor Plásticos Regina of Mauá, Brazil, brand owner Froneri International plc of Northallerton, England, and label producer Verstraete IML developed and produced a peelable in-mold-label lid including an integrated spoon.

    In 2016, Nestlé SA and R&R Ice Cream plc established Froneri as a joint venture.

    The Nestlé Brazil ice cream business introduced a series of Froneri 140-milliliter mono packs. The peelable IML lid design eliminates two steps in the regular production process.

    For the 410 Plus brand, Berry Global Inc. of Evansville, Ind., developed and molded the family line for Kraft Heinz Co. of Pittsburgh and Chicago. Verstraete IML supplied the labels.

    Berry says the packaging is the first family of its kind in North America to have a barrier in-mold label on a clear container.

    The label is said to help keep foods fresher longer. The packaging is available in 8-, 12-, 16- and 20-ounce sizes for soups, sauces or dips

    Silver IMDA awards recognized Abbott Laboratories nutritional products segment's Similac infant formula for best injection molded package; Nissha Co. Ltd. business unit Eimo Technologies Inc.'s Garmish instrument finish panel for best injection molded durable part; Verstraete IML, Unilever plc and Miko Pac NV's Magnum ice cream pints for best label design; Distinctive Plastics Inc., GreatCall Inc., Canyon Graphics Inc. and Mindflow Design's wearable-jewel-top medical alert for best part design; and Beger, Srithai Superware and Korsini-SAF's Beger Shield five-star paint line for best product family.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Auto suppliers plan for uncertainty amid UAW strike, shift to EVs
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at [email protected]

    Most Popular
    1
    An 8,000-ton dream for Milacron, 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics
    2
    Connecticut AG probes recycling claims on HDPE toothpaste tubes
    3
    ACC campaign targets Biden administration's 'troubling' policies
    4
    PureCycle declares force majeure following production problems
    5
    M. Holland selling 3D business after Ravago deal
    SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Find more newsletters at plasticsnews.com/newsletters.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe today

    Subscribe to Plastics News

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Plastics News covers the business of the global plastics industry. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI 48207-2997

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1723

    Resources
    • About
    • Staff
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Media Kit
    • Data Store
    • Digital Edition
    • Custom Content
    • People
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Sitemap
    Related Crain Publications
    • Sustainable Plastics
    • Rubber News
    • Tire Business
    • Urethanes Technology
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Processor News
        • Injection Molding
        • Blow Molding
        • Film & Sheet
        • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
        • Rotomolding
        • Thermoforming
        • Recycling
      • Suppliers
        • Machinery
        • Materials
        • Molds/Tooling
        • Product news
        • Design
      • More News
        • K Show
        • Mergers & Acquisitions
        • Sustainability
        • Public Policy
        • Material Insights Videos
        • Numbers that Matter
      • Digital Edition
      • End Markets
        • Automotive
        • Packaging
        • Medical
        • Consumer Products
        • Construction
      • Special Reports
        • Notable Leaders in Sustainability
        • Processor of the Year
        • Best Places to Work
        • Women Breaking the Mold
        • Rising Stars
        • Diversity
        • Most Interesting Social Media Accounts in Plastics
      • Newsletters
      • Videos
      • Podcasts
    • Opinion
      • The Plastics Blog
      • Kickstart
      • One Good Resin
      • Pellets and Politics
      • All Things Data
      • Viewpoint
      • From Pillar to Post
      • Perspective
      • Mailbag
      • Fake Plastic Trees
    • Shop Floor
      • Blending
      • Compounding
      • Drying
      • Injection Molding
      • Purging
      • Robotics
      • Size Reduction
      • Structural Foam
      • Tooling
      • Training
    • Events
      • Plastics News Events
        • Plastics News Executive Forum
        • Injection Molding & Design Expo
        • Plastics Caps + Closures: A Global Online Event
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • Industry Events
      • Injection Molding & Design Expo
      • Livestreams/Webinars
      • Editorial Livestreams
        • Bioplastics Live
        • Numbers that Matter Live
        • PFAS Live
        • Plastics in Politics Live
        • PN Live: Mergers and Acquisitions
        • Polymer Points Live
        • Sustainable Plastics Live
      • Ask the Expert
      • Plastics News Events Library
        • Plastics Caps & Closures Library
        • Plastics in Healthcare Library
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
    • Rankings & Data
      • Injection Molders
      • Blow Molders
      • Film Sheet
      • Thermoformers
      • Pipe Profile Tubing
      • Rotomolders
      • Mold/Toolmakers
      • LSR Processors
      • Recyclers
      • Compounders - List
      • Association - List
      • Plastic Lumber - List
      • All
    • Directory
    • Resin Prices
      • Resin Prices Overview
      • Commodity Thermoplastics
      • High Temperature Thermoplastics
      • Engineering Thermoplastics
      • Recycled Plastics
      • Thermosets
      • Europe - Virgin
      • Europe - Recycled
      • Europe - Feedstock
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • LS Mtron Sponsored Content
      • Conair Sponsored Content
      • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
      • ENGEL Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • Sign up for Early Classified