KIEFEL: Biaxial stretching prior to forming saves on foil material

Material savings of up 10% – thanks to new approach to moulding and laminating in automotive-sector applications

The Freilassing (Germany)-based company KIEFEL GmbH optimized its forming and laminating processes using the radically – and ingeniously – re-jigged configuration of its new inline thermoforming unit.

Whether the customer is looking for top-quality door linings, instrument panels or console components, this inline vacuum-forming unit, with its two-way rotating bottom platten and four-way rotating top platten, meets the most exacting specifications. The foil-material finishing of the doors on a four-door car, for example, can be carried out in just 80 seconds – guaranteed.

The outstanding feature of this technique, apart from the amply tried-and-trusted practice of stretching the foil crosswise, is the possibility of pulling the material lengthwise too. This lengthwise stretching is carried out by a two-part chain guide system patented by Kiefel.
The higher conveying speed of the second chain guide, which operates in the flow direction of the machine, ensures the continuous lengthwise stretching of the foil material.

This is what allows manufacturers of laminated door linings to attain material savings of up to 10%, which is a cost factor well worth taking into account. Quality is also increased, thanks to the improved, uniform surface structure of the end-product.

Kiefel GmbH at K 2010: Hall 3, Stand E73.

Exhibitor Data Sheet