Injection molded structural electronics technology greatly simplifies electronics integration and offers new degrees of design freedom for applications in the automotive and appliances sectors.
DuPont Electronics and Communications (Wilmington, DE), a global electronic materials supplier, and TactoTek (Oulu, Finland), a designer and producer of injection molded electronics (IME) solutions, announced they are collaborating to meet growing demand for IME solutions. DuPont’s advanced materials will support TactoTek’s innovative designs for touch controls, illumination and connected intelligence in the automotive and home appliance markets, the companies said in a press release. Injection Molding Design Rules
“The anticipated DuPont and TactoTek IME solutions will allow user interface designers and engineers to create touch control surfaces that are beautiful, functional and durable,” said Michael Burrows, Global Venture Leader, DuPont. “The resulting parts can significantly reduce the weight, assembly effort and overall cost of the product. DuPont is very excited to extend and enhance our collaboration with TactoTek to bring these compelling solutions to customers,” said Burrows.
IME integrates flexible circuitry and electronic components within three-dimensional molded plastics. By printing circuits directly onto plastic substrates, product designers can integrate touch controls and lighting in applications such as washing machines, dryers and refrigerators as well as automotive consoles, dashboards, steering wheels and armrests. An IME control panel eliminates complex, heavy multi-layer assemblies typical of traditional electronics designs and can be as thin as 2 mm, said the companies’ release. DuPont and TactoTek’s collaboration reportedly will advance materials sourcing, design, prototyping and fabrication processes for IME.
“By encapsulating the complexity of numerous discrete sub-parts into a single solution, injection molded structural electronics (IMSE) technology greatly simplifies electronics integration and offers new degrees of design freedom,” said Dave Rice, Senior Vice President, Marketing, at TactoTek. “Together with DuPont, we can educate designers and engineers about IME design rules so they can access the full benefits of the technology. Several customer projects are already underway, and we are excited to expand our customer base in conjunction with DuPont.”
TactoTek’s IMSE technology integrates printed circuitry and electronics into 3D injection molded plastics. Use cases include in-vehicle applications, home/industrial appliances and wearable technology. TactoTek adapts customer designs to IMSE technology, develops mass production ready prototypes and mass produces or licenses the technology for third-party mass production.
Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in " Time to Say Good-Bye ."
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