DynamicMold – next-generation marking solution

DynamicMold® is a novel, highly innovative marking solution for plastics. It facilitates to mark injection-molded parts with a 2D-code (DataMatrix) directly during the forming process, in-cavity. Optimal triggering of the marking event during the forming process is autonomously, initiated by sensors integrated into the insert that feel the flowing polymer inside the tool. Our microfabricated insert of 8mm diameter has an array of many individually controllable heaters. It can be integrated, or retrofitted, into mold tools used in various fields such as automotive, medical, packaging, consumer, or industrial plastic applications.

marking plastic products

Today, parts marking is required for several reasons: compliance with regulations, quality control, better managing of recalls, traceability, and to enable a circular economy. Marking is today done using laser, inkjet, or adhesive labels – all downstream processes that require equipment, space, automation tools, and add costs and may add cycle time. In the case of laser marking, protection, ventilation, and polymer additives may bring additional expenses.

part-specific marking re-invented

Our marking solution is integrated into the cavity of the tool, where it creates part-specific, from shot-to-shot changing markings for a serialization of the plastic products. There is no need for automation, robots, conveyer belts, and handling systems for marking. No down-stream processes are used. Marking is performed in-line, in-mold and millisecond-fast, without changing the production cycle time.

DynamicMold® – working principle

DynamicMold® (DM) is the innovative marking technology, patented by matriq, for individual part-specific marking on a wide range of plastic components during their fabrication, directly inside the forming or reshaping process.

To achieve this, a mold insert is integrated into each cavity of a mold of an injection molding machine, and therein it marks every plastic part with a unique code. This solution can be used not only for injection molding, but also for blow molding, thermo-forming or any other forming process. The polymer is neither chemically changed, nor does our marking rely on additives. It is the greenest marking technology available and the one with the lowest energy consumption.

The animation above shows the principle of the marking process: tiny heater elements lower the viscosity of the injected plasticized polymer very locally and enables, thereby, the forming of the individual elements into the plastic surface. This generates the contrast of reflective and scattering “pixels”

reading DynamicMold® marking

DynamicMold® creates a contrast pattern on the surface of the plastic part by means of a heater pixel array built in our mold insert. The contrast of this direct part marking can be understood as “glossy” (reflecting) and “opaque” (scattering) regions arranged as a 2D code. These codes are optically read and interpreted using a camera with a proper illumination. Code reader cameras such as from Cognex, IOSS, Keyence, Baumer, Zebra, or other, can read ISO-standard DataMatrix codes and interpret its content. It is also possible to read

DataMatrix codes will be readable by code-reader cameras adapted to our contrast mechanism as well as by smartphones.

With DynamicMold® technology, individual markings can be generated on the plastic part during the injection molding process. For this purpose, one DynamicMold® Insert is placed into every cavity of the tool so that it comes into direct contact with the molding compound during the molding process. The Insert is connected to the DynamicMold® Controller, which is fixed on the injection molding tool and remains there. The control is carried out by the DynamicMold® LinQ, which is connected to the DynamicMold® Controller, set up next to the injection molding machine and connected to the network. The necessary settings can be made via a provided tablet (that can be magnetically fixed on the side of the injection molding machine housing) or using a network.

The components of the marking system are:

• 1. DynamicMold® Insert(s)
• 2.DynamicMold® Controller plus cable
• 3.DynamicMold® LinQ with a tablet and the software

DynamicMold – no change to the cycle time

Marking using DynamicMold® is ultrafast, taking less than 0.1s time. And it is parallel to your molding process, so there is no change needed. In the diagram below, an exemplary molding process from mold close to mold open is shown. Since the Inserts are detecting the incoming mold flow with their temperature sensors quickly, a machine triggering is not necessary. In the temperature diagram below, the measured temperature is shown that is used to trigger marking. Two parameters are set by the operator: the marking delay (time passed between the incoming mold lfow and the marking event) and the heating duration (i.e. the amount of heat used for marking). When more than one cavity is employed, each cavity is triggered by its own, accommodating for slight delays between cavity fillings.

DynamicMold® – Insert in action

As a fun video, we have used DM-date as a “display” recorded by a temperature- sensitive IR-camera.