German film-insert-moulding (FIM) pioneer BÖ-LA has reached an agreement with TactoTeck to market and sell that company’s injection moulded structural electronics (IMSE) solutions.
The partnership, announced 15 April, will advance the market for integrating electronic functionality into moulded plastics, the companies said.
BÖ-LA is specialised in technical screen printing, illumination and film-insert-moulding (FIM) – also known as in-mould labelling (IML). “BÖ-LA’s film-insert moulding skill is recognised by leaders in automotive, appliance and electronics markets as consistently meeting the highest standards,” said Sini Rytky, TactoTek VP, product management.
The company supplies parts to the automotive industry and end markets, and will be using the IMSE for interfaces that require "flawless cosmetics”.
According to Dirk Lange, head of sales at BÖ-LA, the German company has been actively involved in developing and commercialising techniques for adding electronic functions to cosmetic surfaces, including integrating printed electronics in 3D-formed FIM parts.
“With TactoTek’s IMSE technology, we can also integrate electronic components within these moulded structures which increases integrated functionality and streamlines production for the right designs,” he said.
Oulu, Finland-based TactoTek develops and commercialises IMSE technology, which involves manufacturing 3D structural electronics by integrating printed circuitry and discrete electronic components into injection-moulded plastics.
IMSE designs often include touch controls, lighting and antennas moulded within a 2mm-3mm thin surface, providing aesthetics, structure and electronic functions in a single part.