|
THE FIM PROCESS
How it works
Film Insert Moulding (FIM) is essentially a specialised form of In Mould Decoration (IMD) that offers particular benefits to designers, processors and manufacturers of a wide range of products.
In essence, the FIM process comprises four stages:
| 1. |
The flat film is decorated, the most common method being to reverse screen print the film, thereby protecting the image |
| 2. |
The film is formed using pressure or vacuum forming equipment |
| 3. |
Each forming is cut to shape |
| 4. |
The forming is inserted into a mould cavity, where resin is injected onto the back of the film to create a solid three dimensional object.
For more details on the FIM process click here {link to FIM step by step page} |
Compared with traditional methods of product decoration and manufacture, the FIM process offers a number of important benefits:
 Cost Effective
Components parts, such as the lens, body and keypad for a mobile phone, can easily be integrated into a single component. This dramatically reduces tooling and production costs and creates a more robust, higher quality part.
Durable long life parts
The unique hardcoated films used in FIM offer excellent hardness, abrasion and chemical resistance and, as the film is reverse printed, images are protected from wear or damage.
Create High Value Lifestyle Products
Although the final production stage depends on injection moulding, where production volumes generally have to be high to justify tooling costs, the advantage of FIM parts is that a common shape can easily be produced with a wide range of different graphics at minimal extra cost, simply by changing the screens used in initial decoration, enabling a standard product to be easily customised in small volumes.
Wide Spectrum of Formability
The films used in FIM allow products to be moulded to nearly any depth, from shallow to deep drawn mouldings of up to 2cm.
Create Custom Textures
By applying texturing varnishes custom textures can easily be produced to create the desired look and feel.
Ideal for Robot Handling
The films and parts can easily be handled by automated stacking and feeding units.
|
Step by step guide to the FIM process
Learn more about FIM applications
Similar processes
Key suppliers
|
