One of the things we have done here at work is 3D Film Dipping. Basically, you take any object and dip it in a tank and you have printed film that clings to your part. Met a kid at the local car show over the weekend that had a lot of dipped parts. Carbon fiber rims, wipers, spoiler and snake skin on the interior trim parts and the roll bar. The parts we get are high quality and his looked really good also. You can get almost any type of pattern. We do wood grain steering wheels. He said they can do wheels too...less than $120 to wood grain dip a stock wheel....he should be sending me information if anyone is interested.....something I thought was neat. He works for a company that does the work and he was their test ride. Don
Your talking about Fluid Transferring. Here's a link to a Euro company that sells the kits http://www.ftd-technics.de/englisch/index.html, this is a DIY kit. If you got info on a US company that sells this stuff I would be interested. It's pretty cool stuff. All you import haters should'nt use this link since it came from an IMPORT MAG.
Theres a couple chemicals involved I dont know exactly what they are. But basically you have a tub of water, you spray the chemical on that, lay down the thin film which can have a carbon fiber look or whatever, then I think you spray it again and the piece its going on and drop it in there. The film takes the shape of the object and adheres to it. Its simple I just cant remember the steps lol.
That's close....still waiting on my local info but I talked to one of the engineers here and got this from him.... The Printing Process . ...is easier than you think! It comprises the following steps: 1. Selection of printing film: Choose a pattern from our range of more than 250 standard printing films or have an individual printing film made from a sample pattern or photograph of your choice. 2. Base coating: If necessary, the objects to be printed will be base coated with a suitable undercoat in an appropriate color (e.g. brown for parts which will be printed in a woodgrain pattern). 3. Preparation of the printing film: The printing film is laid out on the water surface of the dipping basin. The carrier substance on which the pattern is printed dissolves while the pattern itself remains floating on the water. 4. Activation: The floating pattern is treated with a special activating substance which liquefies the oily components in the pattern's colours without affecting its structure and looks. 5. Transfer: The objects are immersed in the water through the floating layer of liquefied pattern. The pressure of the water will cause the pattern to smooth itself evenly around the object in all places and adhere to it. The printing effect is created. 6. Washing and drying: The printed parts are washed to remove the leftovers of the printing film, and dried. 7. Clear coating: After undergoing an inspection (quality control) the printed objects are clear coated to protect the printed surface. The parts will now meet highest standards with respect to quality and durability
That is really cool, is it for any material Vinyl , Leather, metal, plastic? Lots of cool possiblities with that. Wood Grained Dash Carbon Fiber look Leather Seats?
I don't think it would be good to use on Leather, especially since you have to immerse it in water. I think this is mainly for plastic, metal, and fiberglass kinds of materials.
Most mordern steering wheels that have a wood grain to them are dipped, as are all the wood grained trim pieces. We make real wood wheels at the plant I'm at and the dipped wheels are very impressive. One company that come in for product day could dip films that had real feel to them. Cork, different woods..that was cool. I'm still waiting on this kid to email me my information. So I hope it is soon.
