Application: Apply soft-touch coatings evenly to plastic and design components
What this application is about
In practice, solutions range from flexible manual workstations to indexed, robot-assisted series-production systems. The spray equipment, material supply and movement sequence must be suited to the coating material and the workpiece.
Feel and function of soft-touch coatings
The application mainly concerns plastic, metal and pre-treated composite components. The required effect occurs only when coating material, substrate, layer thickness and subsequent drying or curing fit together. The spraying process must therefore be adapted to the concrete material system and the real production conditions.
Alongside surface quality, material consumption, cleaning effort, system availability and reliable repeatability also matter. A sound technical solution therefore combines controlled atomisation with a stable material supply that is easy to regulate.
Typical requirements for the spraying process
Even small fluctuations in material pressure, viscosity, distance or movement control can change the coating visibly or functionally. Typical requirements include:
- even feel and matting
- Visible differences with fluctuating layer thickness
- good adhesion on different plastics
- Avoiding dry spray zones and overdosing
- Tuning of primer, topcoat and hardening
- clean processing of sensitive varnishes
Haptics and optics due to uniform lacquer structure
Soft touch coatings create a soft, grippy or rubber-like feel. The effect depends heavily on the surface, primer, layer thickness and hardening. Too thin layers have an uneven effect; too high layers can remain sticky, lose structures or wear out early.
In the case of plastic parts, material compatibility and possible plasticizer migration must also be tested. Visible surfaces require a clean, dust-free coating.
- even layer and haptic
- suitable primer and substrate
- controlled ventilation and curing
- Avoiding dust, clouds and runs
- Reproducible colour and gloss
Krautzberger solutions for spray application and material supply
Krautzberger treats application and material supply as a connected system. Depending on the task, manual and automatic spray guns, suitable air and material nozzles, material pressure tanks, diaphragm pumps, pump and lifting stations, and material pressure regulators can be combined.
In automated processes, spray guns can be integrated into mounts, lifting devices, axes or robots. Material changeover valves and flushing equipment support applications with several colours or media. The specific selection depends on viscosity, solids content, application quantity, cycle time and component geometry.
For fine surface finishes, various XLINE nozzle combinations and spray patterns are available. With highly viscous, abrasive or sedimenting media, sufficiently large flow cross-sections, suitable material combinations, agitators and pressure-stable delivery become more important.
The focus is on finely atomizing hand and automatic spray guns, precise flat jet nozzles, material pressure regulators as well as clean material pressure vessels or pumps. The technically and economically suitable combination is selected for the specific medium, components and required production output.
Components, industries and fields of application
The application is used in different industries and component groups. Typical examples are:
- Automotive interior and control elements
- Housing of electrical and household appliances
- Handles and frequently touched surfaces
- Consumer goods and design products
- Furniture and fittings
- medical and analytical equipment housings
Manual, partially automated or fully automatic
Haptic and matte grade react sensitively to layer thickness and drying. For this reason, spray spacing, speed and overlap are closely conducted in series production plants.
In addition, component feed, extraction or ventilation, cleaning, media change and accessibility for maintenance work must be taken into account during the system integration. This keeps the process stable not only in the pattern run, but also in everyday production.
Result for quality and economy
- Even pleasant haptic
- Stable matt or silky look
- less scrap by reproducible layer
- reduced overspray
- Flexible application on molded parts
- Scalable from pattern to series
Tests with original material and sample components
Liquid media and coating materials with similar names can differ considerably in viscosity, solids content, solvent base, wetting and drying. A reliable choice of spray gun, nozzle and material supply should therefore be made using the original material and a representative component.
After complete curing, sample parts are evaluated for hapticity, shine, adhesion, scratch resistance and uniformity.
On this basis, the spray pattern, material quantity, pressure, distance, movement and cleaning sequence can be defined. The result is an application solution suited to the medium, the geometry and the intended production process.
Trials at the Krautzberger technical centre
At the Krautzberger technical centre, the process can be tested with the original medium and representative sample components. Conveyability, spray pattern, application quantity, material pressure, distance, movement and cleaning are coordinated during these trials.
The trials provide a reliable basis for selecting the spray gun, nozzle, material supply and degree of automation. Final functional and process approval is issued by the operator together with the material manufacturer.
Related products
All products
Contact for your application
Looking for a spray gun, an automatic spray gun or a complete material supply for this process? Krautzberger helps you select and design suitable spray technology, nozzle configurations, delivery and regulation.
Contact Krautzberger to discuss your medium, component, production volume and desired result. Together, we assess how the process can be implemented safely and economically.
Industries for this application
Soft-touch coatings change the feel and appearance of plastic and leather, including components for the automotive industry. To ensure curing without mottling or gloss variations, the material and application must suit the respective surface.
