Johnson Controls uses In-Mold Graining for the first time in instrument panels

BURSCHEID 27. února (PROTEXT) - Different graining evenaround sharp edges Burscheid Uniform patterns on the surfacesof instrument panels will soon belong to the past. JohnsonControls, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotiveinterior systems, has developed the so- called In-Mold Grainingtechnology even further for cockpit and door panel design. Withthis process, it is now possible to emboss different grainpatterns onto the surface next to each other in one workingstep. Johnson Controls is the first company to bring thistechnology to production maturity for larger surfaces. In-MoldGraining is a process where the thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO)foil, which is frequently used in the automotive industry, isgiven its surface structure with a special grained tool. The un-embossed foil is formed and grained in the tool under vacuumconditions. In the same working step, the material is laminatedonto the support. This prevents distortion of the grainingaround sharp edges as often occurs in processes using pre-grained foils and skins. To create soft haptic properties,Johnson Controls uses TPO foamed foil. The technology can alsobe combined with standard foam processes. In-Mold Graining canoptimize the application of current trends for interior designs.Saving weight with recyclable materials In combination withlighter support materials, this process reduces the overallweight of the cockpit. In order to exploit this effect to thefull, the engineers at Johnson Controls use Fibrit as the supportmaterial for the instrument panel in the concept car Etimos.Fibrit is a particularly light natural fiber material that ismade up of approximately 90 percent renewable raw materials. Itis still possible, however, to use In-Mold Graining incombination with other support materials. Another benefit ofIn-Mold Graining is its the positive effect it has on theenvironment. The TPO foil used in the process does not containPVC and can be relatively easily separated from the Fibritsupport material and reused. The selection of Fibrit as thesupport material also increases environmental compatibility:natural fibers are renewable raw materials and no pollutingresidues remain when they are disposed of. If a support materialis used with a similar chemical composition to the TPO foil,then the instrument panels can be recycled completely in asingle working step. Johnson Controls conceived the In-MoldGraining process as an alternative to the usual laminatingtechnologies used for instrument panels in middle classvehicles. The process will be used for the first time in massproduction for the model of a European customer being introducedto the market in 2004. Further information is available from:Johnson Controls GmbH Claudia Steinhoff Industriestraße 20-30D-51399 Burscheid Tel.:+49 21 74/65-32 43 Fax: +49 21 74/65-3219 Johnson Controls, Inc. is a global market leader inautomotive systems and facility management and control. In theautomotive market, it is a leading supplier of seating andinterior systems and batteries. For non- residential facilities,Johnson Controls provides building control components andsystems and facility management services. Johnson Controls (NewYork Stock Exchange: JCI), founded in 1885, has headquarters inMilwaukee, Wisconsin. The European headquarters is in Burscheid,Germany. Its sales for 2001 totaled 18.4 billion US-Dollars, theAutomotive Systems Group alone accounting for 13.6 billion US-Dollars of this figure. In the current "Industry Week" businessmagazine rankings, Johnson Controls has been listed as one ofthe top 100 best run companies in the world for the fifth time insuccession.

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