Techniplas Schwäbisch Gmünd GmbH (formerly GfO – Gesellschaft für Oberflächentechnik) stands for state-of-the-art technical and optical surface enhancements. It coats plastic moldings with metals, oxides and transparent coatings – also selectively. Our site in Schwäbsich Gmünd specializes primarily in the two following areas.
Techniplas Schwäbisch Gmünd GmbH is part of the internationally active Techniplas Group, whose core product lines include precision components and modules for the automotive industry, advanced lighting applications, and mechatronic and decorative solutions.
Our customers thus benefit not only from our extensive know-how in the field of decorative and functional surface finishing, but also from our full-service offering in the production of advanced and technically complex plastic components. We accompany our customers from a wide range of industries from the design and pre-development phase through to series production readiness and are at their side as an invation partner throughout the entire development process.
PVD – Shielding and conductivity
Electromagnetic shielding through metallization
As a specialist in dealing with EMC problems, Techniplas Schwäbisch Gmünd GmbH offers its customers a large plant capacity and the combinability of customer-specific masking technology. With our qualified development and application technologies and comprehensive process know-how, we support you in the implementation of individual solutions and advise you on the selection of plastics, masking options, EMC testing and the creation of logistics and packaging concepts.
Our Elamet shielding layers consist of metals with high electrical conductivity, which forms a barrier against high-frequency interference radiation and ensures the electromagnetic compatibility of devices with plastic housings.
Aluminum layers as well as layer combinations of copper with e.g. tin or nickel chrome prove themselves in a multitude of applications for housing shielding. ITO coatings (indium tin oxide coatings) are available for the combination of optical traasparency and electrical conductivity.
Our portfolio includes the following ELAMET coatings
Properties and functions
of our EMC coatings
Production capacities
Thousands of components are manufactured daily on state-of-the-art process platforms and tens of thousands of square meters of surface area are refined into high-tech surfaces on automated wet-chemical production systems and PVD coating lines.
Whether it’s coatings with nanomaterials, the vapor deposition of surfaces in wages to shield plastic housings from electromagnetic radiation, or the painting and finishing of plastics with chromium-(VI)-free coatings – we will be happy to advise you and work with you to plan the best possible selection of materials, coating types, or the additional application of protective coatings so that your product represents added value for the end customer.
Application areas ELAMET
Communication
Decisive factors for the functionality of filigree, thin-walled and soldered components in the communications and mobile communications sector are fracture-proof materials, low weight, high resilience to vibrations and electromagnetic shielding.
Automatization
Automation, networking and modular design determine production processes. For smooth operation and control of tools and machines, it is also necessary to have an environment that is free of electromagnetic interference.
Automotive engineering
Electromagnetic interference fields pose a major problem for the electronic control of many vehicle functions in modern automotive engineering. With our EMC coatings in housings, we protect the functionality of various devices and thus also the safety of passengers.
Medical technology
In hardly any other field are the functionality and reliability of devices as significant as in medicine. Optimum surface coating significantly increases the utility value and long-term stability of medical devices with plastic surfaces and protects measuring and analysis functions.
Building services engineering
In modern buildings and so-called smart homes, more and more functions are being monitored and controlled electronically – be it fire, intrusion and motion detectors or household appliances. With our coatings, we ensure compliance with EMC regulations.
Get in touch for ELAMET
Transparency and Scratch Resistance
Multifunctional scratch-resistant systems for molded plastic parts
As an expert in the technical and optical enhancement of surfaces, Techniplas Schwäbisch Gmünd GmbH advises and supports you with regard to plastic selection, coating processes, injection molding, and the creation of logistics and packaging concepts. SICRALAN coatings give components added functional and aesthetic value, such as scratch resistance, UV, chemical and weathering resistance, reflection reduction and freedom from fogging. Other coatings from the ELAMET range complement these properties with transparency and electrical conductivity, metallic decor and semi-transparent (day-night design) or full mirroring.
SICRALAN coatings are applied over the entire surface or selectively under cleanroom conditions by flood, spray or inkjet printing, and in the case of inkjet printing even without masking. The coating is applied to clear or colored substrates without affecting substrate properties such as impact strength and transparency. The choice of coating systems and application technology is based on the application area of the parts to be coated and is adapted to the substrate types.
For further processing, such as decorative metallization and screen printing, Techniplas Schwäbisch Gmünd GmbH offers support, either by supplying pre-coated molded parts or by providing processing know-how.
Our portfolio includes the following SICRALAN coatings
Application areas SICRALAN
Communication
The demands on weight and surface resistance are particularly high for portable communication devices. Surface hardness, reflection reduction, break resistance and scratch resistance make SICRALAN coated plastics the ideal material for components in communications technology.
Automatization
Our coatings give display covers on production equipment an extended lifespan and increase the visibility of data through scratch resistance and reflection reduction.
Automotive engineering
Lightweight, accident-proof plastics are essential in automotive engineering. SICRALAN coatings harden surfaces, provide scratch resistance, UV stability, deep gloss and resistant protection against dirt, fogging and weather conditions on headlights, windows, body panels and panels in the vehicle interior.
Medical technology
The sterilization of plastic components and surfaces of medical devices is made possible by a seamless transparent coating with SICRALAN. In addition to increased resistance to chemicals and dirt, this also leads to increased scratch resistance and a reduction in reflection, which makes it easier to read displays.
Building services engineering
If household appliances have displays and operating surfaces made of transparent plastics, our SICRALAN coatings increase their scratch resistance and make them less sensitive to cleaning agents. SICRALAN also gives high-quality plastic furniture satin surfaces and makes them more resistant to scratches and cleaning agents.