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At least six machinery OEMs are highlighting the growing popularity of in-mold labeling and decorating (IML, IMD). For the first time in North America, Engel (Booth W3303) is demonstrating the Decoject IMD process that was first shown at K 2016. Aimed at auto interiors, this automated cell feeds a thin TPO film from a roll into a mold, where it is back-injected with PP and punched out of the roll. The part gets a laser trim after demolding. The film imparts color, texture, gloss, and feel, so a variety of parts can be made simply by changing films.

Other exhibits address IML for packaging, where speed is of the essence. Arburg (Booth W1325) uses a “packaging” version of its Allrounder 570 H designed for thin-wall molding to produce four PP tubs with IML in just 1.9 sec. The decorated parts have a wall thickness of 0.0126 in. and weigh 0.12 oz. Mold and automation are from of the Netherlands.

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Absolute Robot Inc. (ARI; Booth W4182) takes its first step into IML with a side-entry system from Well-Lih in China, running a four-cavity PP yogurt-cup mold. According to ARI, its IML systems perform in the same league as industry-leading competitors, but at 20-30% lower price. ARI is offering top-entry and side-entry IML systems for overall cycle times down to 3 sec and with mold-open times as short as 1.8 sec. This IML demonstration is meant to show that ARI can handle complete turnkey systems with robot, EOAT, label magazine, height-adjustable frame, and options like vision and stacking parts either bottom-up or bottom-down.

(Booth S17147) exhibits one of its top-of-the-line TSV servo-hydraulic toggles running IML.

Ilsemann Automation of Germany applies IML to a yogurt cup at the Trexel booth (Booth W551) in a demonstration of a new thin-wall foaming process.

KraussMaffei’s GX 900 two-platen press with new “speed” option (Booth W403) molds two 5-gal paint pails with IML in less than 14 sec, using automation from of Italy (Booth S27009). Campetella, represented here by , specializes in IML with high-speed side-entry robots.

A (Booth S16088) all-electric Elion 1200 (120 m.t.) is producing single-serve coffee capsules of PLA biopolymer with PLA labels from (Booth S19154) in four cavities and in 6-7 sec, using robotics from , at whose booth (Booth S35146) the machine is running.

Another Netstal machine (Elion 3200 hybrid) produces four rectangular containers with IML in 3.9 sec, using robotics from , at that company’s booth (W943).

Nissei’s IML demo (at Booth W923) labels two-cavity drinking mugs using its new NEX-IV all-electric press (397 tons).