Fly High with In Mold Labeling for Aviation

A lot of auto manufacturers are familiar with in-mold labeling (IML) or film insert molding (FIM) for their industry. But what about aviation and aerospace? Think about the last time you were on a plane. What did you see? What did you touch? Whether you were in the cockpit or a passenger seat, chances are that you interacted with parts that are excellent candidates for IML.

Why? Plastic-molded parts can create seamless appearances, incorporate multiple colors and shapes, allow for complex graphics, and stay hardy up against frequent cleaning and sanitization required in aircrafts. They’re also lightweight, which matters highly onboard a vessel where every ounce counts.

Benefits of In Mold Labeling for Aviation and Aerospace

• Lightweight interior parts

• Extensive color and finish options (matte, glossy, hairline, etc.)

• Durability in high-traffic environments

• Easy language translations (reusing a mold with new printing stencils)

• Luxury and high-end inlays, trims and panels

• Long-lasting transparent screens for dashboard displays

• Seamless printing on complex or 3-D shapes

• Dead-fronting for aesthetics and/or safety

Next Generation Designs for Aviation and Aerospace

Anti-Glare

Anti-glare film reduces glare from bright lights and reflections. How? By roughening the surface display. The process involves dip coating the film edge-to-edge with a solution that leaves the surface slightly rugged when dry. The result scatters and diffuses light rays (versus a more intense direct mirror reflection), thereby improving a screen’s readability.

Anti-Reflective

Anti-reflective technology also improves readability in sunlight conditions. Using this method, an edge-to-edge coating reduces light reflections at certain wavelengths and incident angles. The anti-reflective film bends light through layers of contrasting refractive indexes. The result is an easy-to-read screen in harsh lighting conditions.

Anti-Fingerprint

Anti-fingerprint technology can be combined with others (like anti-glare, which is prone to fingerprint marks) to repel oils and dirt from fingers that touch displays. This not only improves visibility in high-touch environments, it also reduces the need for frequent cleaning and maintains a polished look for longer.

Challenges Solved with In Mold Labeling for Aviation and Aerospace

Challenge: It’s difficult for passengers to see their display screens with window shades open and bright sunlight coming in. We’re able to use IML technology and coatings to create screens that are anti-glare and anti-reflective, improving the passenger experience and increasing safety on board when messages must be easily displayed and read.

Challenge: Passenger seat controls and video monitor controls quickly become cracked or unreadable. With IML, the graphics (designs, letters, icons, etc.) are laid between the film and resin, so they’re always protected from oils, sediment and cleaning agents. We also offer UV testing and a 100,000 push test experience in-house.

Challenge: Luxury options like wood-grain or stone are too heavy and costly for aviation applications. We use fine expression silk printing (FESP) technology to create inlays, panels and trim that mimic the appearance of wood grain, marble, leather and more. This helps achieve an interior that’s not only high-end, but also long lasting and lightweight — ideal for first-class, private jets, and ultra luxury experiences.

Get More Info About In Mold Labeling for Aviation and Aerospace

The sky's the limit when it comes to IML printing. If your team has ideas about design, we can advise you on the best solution to meet use-case requirements.

We’re a one-stop-shop for IML services, which means design, tooling, testing and more are all done in-house — so we can answer your questions from start to finish. Contact us to learn more. Our goal is to be the complete solution to your IML parts needs, so that you can accomplish the quality, consistency, and precision required for aerospace and aviation applications.