Polyfuze Graphics™ Innovates New Decorating Technology for Injection Molders
Clarkdale, Arizona (PRWEB) July 14, 2015 -- Polyfuze Graphics™ Corporation has taken its research and development experience, which is over 30 years in the plastics decoration field, and formulated a product that is changing the injection molders view on what was previously conceived as permanent branding for plastics. The new Polyfuze Graphics™ technology can be perceived as a heat transfer or hot stamp foil at glance, as it does use standard hot stamping equipment for its application, but the actual technology inside a Polyfuze graphic is different.
The release of Polyfuze Graphics™ in the winter of 2014, and its live demo and showcase at the NPE 2015 show in Orlando, Florida, by Jason Brownell, VP Sales Manager, brought into light to many new viewers that "Aha Moment" with intrigue and question as to what made the Polyfuze process so different. Viewers of Jason Brownell's presentation with ANTEC at NPE 2015 started to understand "when permanent really means permanent" when it comes to choosing a Polyfuze graphic over other decorating methods.
Jason Brownell, and his team also explained at WasteExpo 2015, in Las Vegas, Nevada, as to why the usage of standard hot stamp equipment for injection molded plastics had not really changed since its prominence throughout the later 19th century. However, the materials used to decorate olefin-based plastics has changed and Polyfuze technology has been transforming this 65 year old lithography method for hot stamping injection molded plastics.
Polyfuze graphics are manufactured out of pigmented plastics, not inks. This is what makes Polyfuze graphics so different and distinct from traditional methods, such as in mold labeling, hot stamp foils, heat transfers and pad or screen printing, as these methods have not changed. (https://tattooyourplastic.com/products)
These traditional methods for decorating polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) use inks or dye-based layers along with paper carrier materials, adhesives or clear coats that are not compatible with the plastic they are being applied to. Understanding that PE and PP actually reject foreign materials on a molecular level should help explain why these methods degrade easily under stress from UV, chemicals, battery acids and more. Polyfuze graphics have been manufactured to be 100% compatible with injection molded plastics at a molecular level, as they are fused into the plastic and contain no inks, adhesives or substrates, all of which have a tendency to degrade. This also helps to leave a clean footprint when it comes to recycling the plastic product at hand, as Polyfuze graphics are 100% recyclable.
When applying a Polyfuze graphic with standard hot stamping equipment, the application process requires machine settings different from traditional decorating methods. The combination of heat, time and pressure is used to permanently fuse a Polyfuze graphic into the part to become one piece of plastic. The application process requires 450 degrees Fahrenheit at the silicone die face, which requires the hot stamp machine to be set at 550°F (due to the nature and temperature loss of the silicone). Although the heat required for the application of Polyfuze graphics is higher than traditional methods, the dwell time is less, being around .5 to 2 seconds per cycle depending on the injection molded PE or PP part. This allows for faster application and expedited cycles. Pressure requirements for the Polyfuze graphic are also significantly less than traditional methods. Whereas hot stamp foil requires 400 psi, Polyfuze graphics require just 75 psi. This provides the benefit of being able to apply a much larger graphic with a smaller tonnage hot stamp machine.
Polyfuze graphics are currently being used by a variety of companies including Unarco Industries (shopping carts), Otto Environmental (waste/recycling containers), and Rehrig Pacific (reusable packaging products). This polyethylene fused graphic technology also serves many other industries, such as automotive, lawn and garden, and retail and consumer products. It also is the perfect permanent application for warnings and safety requirements on PE and PP parts.
Polyfuze Graphics™ from Polyfuze Graphics™ Corporation possess an ability to withstand removal from injection molded products and do not “stick” to the surface of the product and will not degrade like IMLs, hot stamp foils, heat transfers or pad printing. This polyethylene fused technology is 100% compatible and permanently decorates olefin-based plastics PE and PP, as well as many derivatives such as glass and talc-filled PP, LDPE, MDPE, HDPE, UHMW, TPE, TPO and structural foam. Polyfuze graphics are completely customizable and can be produced in single or multi-color with fine line detailing. Polyfuze graphics can also be constructed to uphold to any necessary compliance need such as FDA, ASTM, CPSIA, RoHS and Reach.
For more information on Polyfuze Graphics™ technology visit https://tattooyourplastic.com/products/, or call (928) 634-8888.
Jason Brownell - VP Sales Manager, Polyfuze Graphics Corporation, http://www.tattooyourplastic.com, +1 928-634-8888 Ext: 156, [email protected]
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