Hardcoated formable films and texture lacquers for the Film Insert Moulding process include Autoflex films and Aquatex formable texturing inks to enhance plastics components.

At this year's Plastics Design and Moulding 2005 exhibition, Autotype International will be promoting its latest range of hardcoated formable films and texture lacquers for the Film insert moulding process (also known as In-Mould Decoration). In particular, Autotype will be previewing its Autoflex films and Aquatex formable texturing inks, which are designed to enable significant improvements to be achieved in both the aesthetic and functional characteristics of plastics components. * The Autoflex range of formable polycarbonate films can be shallow or deep drawn, and incorporates a hardcoat surface to provide a durable, high gloss finish.

The range is available with polycarbonate, polyester or PMMA substrate bases and offers excellent chemical and solvent resistance.

The range is available with a variety of performance capabilities including Autoflex XtraForm, which is ideal for mobile phone applications.

The deep draw characteristics of XtraForm allow the front housing, lens and back housing of a mobile phone case to be integrated in one component part.

* Aquatex FPH is a range of four water based, screen printable and formable texturing inks that are specially designed for Film Insert Moulding applications.

The range includes supermatt, fine and coarse versions plus a gloss modifier.

The four inks, which are suitable for deep profile applications, can be blended together to enable a wide range of surface textures and gloss finishes to be achieved.

In addition, when selectively printed, Aquatex enables the integration of both gloss and textured areas to be incorporated on a single part.

* Film Insert Moulding is an innovative, flexible and cost-effective method of In-Mould Decoration (IMD) that produces high quality profiled or three dimensional plastics parts.

Typical components include fascia panels, lenses, keypads and mouldings for mobile phones and telecommunications equipment, consumer appliances and automotive trim and dashboard panels.

The process can significantly reduce the number of production stages and component parts, cutting both production time and cost, while improving the quality, complexity and durability of finished products.