1. BILLY KITTRIDGE PETE KNEPPER PLET 370
MOLD TEXTURING
BILLY KITTRIDGE
PETE KNEPPER
PLET 370

2. PURPOSE Hide scratches Aesthetically pleasing Achieve desired feel
Create higher Frictional Coefficients

3. OUTLINE How mold texturing is done Design Requirements Hazard Issues
Costs & turn around times
Conclusion

4. INTRODUCTION Been around since beginning of plastics industry
More of an Art, not Science
Extremely labor intensive
Very little technological advances

5. ADVANTAGES Hide scratches Aesthetically pleasing Desired feel
No-slip surfaces
Inexpensive
Low turn around time

6. DISADVANTAGES
Ejection problems
Flashing issues
Parting line
Shut-offs

7. METHOD
Make master
Apply film
Touch up pattern
Etch
Clean up

8. CREATION OF MASTER Pattern is created using computer software
Printed onto usable film
Film is applied to magnesium plate
Plate is etched
Master is cleaned up

9. CAMERA

10. MAGNESIUM MASTER

11. PREPARATION Master coated in wax Tissue paper applied to master
Pattern is transferred to tissue paper
Sandblast mold
Helps paper adhere to mold surface

12. PREPARATION CONT. Tissue paper applied to mold
Paper moistened and removed
Pattern touched up
Mask mold
Seal tape seams

13. TISSUE PAPER

14. APPLYING PATTERN

15. MASKING MOLD

16. MASKING MOLD

17. PATTERN TOUCH UP

18. Etching Acid determined based on material Method
Acids & materials etch at different rates
Method
Full bath
Spray
Partial bath
Etching stopped and depth checked multiple times

19. CLEAN UP Masking removed Sandblast mold to remove wax
Packaged for shipping

20. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Every .001” of etching requires 1.50 of draft for ejection
Acid etches in X & Y directions
Fine etch (.001”-.004”)
Course etch (.012”-.030”)

21. HAZARD ISSUES
Rubber suits, respirators, and safety glasses must be worn
Acid is neutralized before being disposed of
Samples must be taken to water co. monthly

22. COSTS & TIMES Complexity determines price Embossing Rolls – 3-4 Days
Size is insignificant
Embossing Rolls – 3-4 Days
Molds – 1-2 Weeks

23. EXAMPLE

24. EXAMPLE

25. EXAMPLE

26. CONCLUSION Easy way to add value to plastic parts
Relatively inexpensive