Page 53 - Plastics News June 2023

TECHNOLOGY

jected to grow at 28.8% CAGR from 2033,” which was recently published face,” explained Dyson. The process
2023 to 2030 and reach $2.8 billion by IDTechEx. Gap-free surface piques can end there, or the device can be
2030, according to Verifi Mar- interest of medtech OEMs converted into a 3D part via injec-
ket Research. To learn more about One of the advantages of in-mold tion molding. It’s an extension of the
the technology and its reach, Plastic- electronics is that it produces a well-established in-mold decorating
sToday spoke with technology analyst smooth surface with no gaps, mak- process. Much of the existing process
Matthew Dyson, PhD, who authored ing the product easy to clean. That knowledge and equipment can be re-
a report, “In Mold Electronics 2023- can be especially advantageous in purposed.
2033,” which was recently published
medical applications. Think about
by IDTechEx.
the conventional hospital bed, said
Gap-free surface piques interest of Dyson. “There’s a little controller to
medtech OEMs move the bed up and down, and it’s
typically a membrane switch, which
One of the advantages of in-mold
can be wiped clean. But something is
electronics is that it produces a
still physically moving, and the plas-
smooth surface with no gaps, mak-
tic eventually will crack and need to The in-mold electronics manufac-
ing the product easy to clean. That
be replaced. In-mold electronics re- turing process incorporates well-
can be especially advantageous in
lies on capacitive touch — nothing is understood technologies that
medical applications. Think about
moving, it’s simply detecting the pres- have been in use for decades.
the conventional hospital bed, said
Dyson. “There’s a little controller to ence of your finger,” explained Dyson. “The same companies that have been
move the bed up and down, and it’s In-mold electronics enables capacitive doing in-mold decorating for years
typically a membrane switch, which touch technology to be integrated in now are saying, ‘Oh, we can sell more
can be wiped clean. But something is a device compactly and, at scale, in- expensive things by putting electron-
still physically moving, and the plas- expensively. There is a lot of interest ics on the back without having to in-
tic eventually will crack and need to in the medical field, added Dyson, but vest in a whole load of extra equip-
be replaced. In-mold electronics re- because of the fairly long develop- ment,’” Dyson told PlasticsToday. “In
lies on capacitive touch — nothing is ment cycle, we are likely to see more essence, it’s a combination of screen
moving, it’s simply detecting the pres- immediate adoption of the technol- printing, injection molding, and ther-
ence of your finger,” explained Dyson. ogy in other sectors. moforming, all of which have been
around for many decades. You’re just
In-mold electronics is an emerging The main markets for in-mold elec-
combining them with conductive inks
technology that produces multi-func- tronics initially will be automotive
to put circuits on the plastic sheet
tional surfaces for applications in an and appliances, according to Dyson.
along with patterns.” Easy, peasy,
array of industries, including consum- Because of the technology’s light-
right? Not quite.
er products, automotive, and medical weighting and size reduction poten-
technology. It has tremendous poten- tial, aircraft interiors also represent an Electronics integration, material se-
tial: Valued at $147 million in 2022, opportunity. lection among the challenges
the in-mold electronics sector is pro-
An extension of in-mold decorating There is the complication of integrat-
jected to grow at 28.8% CAGR from
process ing electronic functionality that can
2023 to 2030 and reach $2.8 billion withstand thermoforming and injec-
2030, according to Verifi Mar- Despite the sophistication of the end tion molding. High manufacturing
ket Research. To learn more about product, the manufacturing process, yield is crucial, noted IDTechEx: Be-
the technology and its reach, Plastic- in some respects, is quite straightfor- cause the circuitry is embedded, a sin-
sToday spoke with technology analyst ward. “The basic idea is that you print gle failure can render the entire part
Matthew Dyson, PhD, who authored the circuit on a flat sheet of plastic and unusable.
a report, “In Mold Electronics 2023- thermoform it to create a curved sur-

June 2023 PLASTICS NEWS 53