Nomination 67 - Body Interior - Dolphin Interior-Trim Components
DOLPHIN INTERIOR-TRIM COMPONENTS
•OEM Make & Model: Daimler AG 2011MY Mercedez-Benz® Actros® long-haul truck
•Tier Supplier/Processor: SOLE SpA / Trexel Inc. & ENGEL Austria GmbH
•Material Supplier / Toolmaker: SO.F.TER. SpA / Georg Kaufmann AG
•Material / Process: Pibiflex® polyester-based TPE / Dolphin hybrid-molding process
•Description: The new multi-phase Dolphin process allows a rigid substrate with integral foam core and MIC grained skin to be produced in one step on one machine. Equipped with an opposing, 2-barrel rotary platen with expansion/decompression option and utilizing the microcellular foam molding process, the system molds a rigid PC/ABS carrier, then forms a solid, MIC grained Class A outer skin (thickness adjustable by manipulating mold cooling time) as well as a low-density foam core layer (thickness/density is adjustable by altering the mold opening stops) from the same shot of TPE. The 3 layers maintain a strong bond without need for corona treatment. The parts reduced cost 25% vs. the previous PVC slush-molded option, reduced process steps from 8 to 2, eliminated waste (since scrap from the all-thermoplastic system is fully recyclable and be can ground and reused).
Nomination 67 - Body Interior - Dolphin Interior-Trim Components
DOLPHIN INTERIOR-TRIM COMPONENTS
•OEM Make & Model: Daimler AG 2011MY Mercedez-Benz® Actros® long-haul truck
•Tier Supplier/Processor: SOLE SpA / Trexel Inc. & ENGEL Austria GmbH
•Material Supplier / Toolmaker: SO.F.TER. SpA / Georg Kaufmann AG
•Material / Process: Pibiflex® polyester-based TPE / Dolphin hybrid-molding process
•Description: The new multi-phase Dolphin process allows a rigid substrate with integral foam core and MIC grained skin to be produced in one step on one machine. Equipped with an opposing, 2-barrel rotary platen with expansion/decompression option and utilizing the microcellular foam molding process, the system molds a rigid PC/ABS carrier, then forms a solid, MIC grained Class A outer skin (thickness adjustable by manipulating mold cooling time) as well as a low-density foam core layer (thickness/density is adjustable by altering the mold opening stops) from the same shot of TPE. The 3 layers maintain a strong bond without need for corona treatment. The parts reduced cost 25% vs. the previous PVC slush-molded option, reduced process steps from 8 to 2, eliminated waste (since scrap from the all-thermoplastic system is fully recyclable and be can ground and reused).