Affordable decorative finishes for plastic parts
An
Applied Coating Technologies product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Oct 1, 2001
ACT has a new range of single-coat paint finishes designed for use on ABS, Noryl, Polycarbonate and other similar thermoplastics, with excellent adhesion, abrasion resistance and durability
Although many OEMs recognise the benefits of applying decorative finishes to plastic components (i.e the colour, feel, wear resistance and perceived value of a product can all be enhanced), the process has been cost-prohibitive for many industries.
Conventional finishing techniques include two-coat paint systems, vacuum metallisation and electroplating.
Typically specified by such sectors as the automotive and mobile phone industries, plants and equipment have been dedicated to managing large volumes using fully automated production methods.
Hence coating small to medium volume requirements can be costly, particularly in the case of the tooling investment required to operate efficiently.
As a result many small-to-medium volume manufacturers have found decorative finishes to be cost-prohibitive or have been forced to accept lower quality standards.
In response to this, ACT has introduced a range of new single-coat paint finishes.
Designed for use on ABS, Noryl, Polycarbonate and other similar thermoplastics, they provide excellent adhesion, abrasion resistance and durability.
Although a wide range of gloss levels are available, satin / matt finishes are usually specified as these produce very low scrap levels and are currently in vogue.
Where greater chemical resistance and exterior durability are required, two-pack polyurethane top-coats are recommended.
These have been developed in smooth, spatter and textured (including soft-feel and suedette) finishes.
Contemporary paint finishes include stainless steel / satin chrome effects.
Traditionally these finishes have been produced by electroplating, a process limited to ABS-based substrates and all-over coating.
Although high throughputs can be achieved by electroplating, the typical scrap levels for low quantities / larger components can be costly.
With adhesion promoters available for even the most difficult substrates (polypropylene, nylon), paint finishes can be applied selectively onto most plastic or metal surfaces.
Specialist knowledge in the design of high precision masking jigs is regarded as an essential area of expertise.
Selective coatings have a number of benefits; they can reduce cost, increase the affect of a particular finish and protect critical mechanical tolerances.
The development of decorative finishing at ACT was in response to customer requirements for a one-stop shop finishing service.
The core business of ACT is EMI shielding coatings.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Applied Coating Technologies
Related Stories
- Laser direct imaging speeds processes
- Whitepaper examines benefits of DMLS
- Camcoat improves efficiency of Le Mans cars
- Precision Micro invests in laser direct imaging
- Smithers issues 'Mixing in Single Screw Extrusion'
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
