FAKUMA 2024: LEONHARD KURZ and ams OSRAM create innovative effects in automotive lighting

Fürth/Germany, September 23, 2024: From October 15 to 19, 2024, FAKUMA, the world’s leading trade fair for plastics processing, will be held in Friedrichshafen. Around 1,600 international exhibitors are set to provide information about their latest products, processes, machines, and technologies. This year, the focus is on efficiency - both in terms of material use and in terms of processes and production systems.

At FAKUMA, LEONHARD KURZ will show how to implement material-saving and flexible lighting concepts in the automotive sector. The expert for decorative and functional surfaces joins forces with ams OSRAM AG, the lighting specialist, to premiere a method for the energy-efficient illumination of decorated panels in the automotive sector, with which customer-specific lighting effects can be staged three-dimensionally.

Innovation in interior design thanks to advanced technologies

KURZ’s In-Mold Decoration (IMD) and Functional Foil Bonding (FFB) form the basis for this innovation. While plastic components can be produced and finished using IMD by injection molding in a single, highly efficient work step, the FFB process enables the automated integration of mini LEDs on film. The technology is extremely precise, adherent, and reduces material waste to a minimum, as it is used as a post-molding process, only for good parts. KURZ thus provides the ideal technology mix for realizing sophisticated surface designs beyond the interior design field.

The new technique from KURZ and ams OSRAM combines IMD and FFB with ALIYOS^TM technology. In this way, it makes it possible to apply economical mini LEDs to finished panels with little effort. The result is attractive components with a flat structure and a homogeneous, elegant surface, which is brought to life by the LEDs.

An aesthetically sophisticated combination of functionality and design

Interlinked by transparent-looking metal wires, the mini LEDs can be individually arranged and used for custom molds and animation effects using ALIYOS^TM technology. “From the standard lighting functions to individual control elements with Shy Tech effect, functional decorations can be implemented that impress with their intuitive usability and their aesthetically sophisticated appearance,” explains Jörg Stierand, Head of Divisional Sales Management Automotive at LEONHARD KURZ, and adds: “The ALIYOS^TM technology from our partner OSRAM enables individual, segment-based design of light patterns. Thanks to the combination with the pioneering KURZ processes, it is now also gaining in efficiency.”

For example, the time-consuming installation of a separate light module is no longer necessary. In this way, the structure of the component processed with the method becomes significantly flatter. Both the use of materials and the proportion of the total weight in the interior or in the exterior design can be reduced. With in-mold decoration, day-night design variants can also be implemented without additional effort. The new method is suitable for use on components with a deformation of up to 2.5D.

Experience extraordinary surface decorations live

Visitors to FAKUMA 2024 at KURZ Stand 4111 in Hall A4 can get a first-hand impression of the new solution. The panel exhibits showcase the diverse decoration variations - from semi-matte to brushed designs with lasered structure to high-gloss surfaces with day-night design.

Interested parties can find more information about KURZ’s trade fair presentation and solutions on the FAKUMA 2024 website.

At a glance

FAKUMA 2024 from October 15 to 19 in Friedrichshafen
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG: Hall A4, Stand 4111
Our trade fair presentation focuses on Automotive, HVAC & Home Appliances, Sustainability