KraussMaffei: New "ColorForm" Technologies to Premiere

New multi-color mixing head for automated color changes - (Image: KraussMaffei)

At Fakuma 2026, KraussMaffei will present two further developments of its "ColorForm" technology for the in-mold coating of thermoplastic components. Making their debut are a multi-color mixing head for automated color changes during ongoing production and a process developed jointly with Siegfried Hofmann GmbH for PUR coatings with a layer thickness of just 0.1 mm.

The new multi-color mixing head keeps several colors available simultaneously and automatically selects the required color. Until now, changing colors in "ColorForm" applications has required manual intervention, such as replacing color nozzles, color units or color modules. With the new solution, all required colors remain permanently connected to the mixing head, while materials not currently in use continue to circulate. This allows colors to be changed without mechanical retooling and without interrupting the production process.

Advert

As a second innovation, KraussMaffei will present a thin-layer technology for PUR coating at Fakuma. Together with Hofmann, the company has reduced the layer thickness previously achieved with "ColorForm" from up to 0.5 mm to 0.1 mm. According to the companies, this reduces the amount of coating material required by up to 80%.

The reduced layer thickness was made possible by optimizing component fixation, the sealing system, the pre-molded part and the mixing head. In terms of its design and dimensions, the development mold is based on automotive exterior components such as trim elements and lenses. According to Hofmann, the thin layers can be produced with reliable process control, while higher surface quality and lower reject rates have also been achieved.

The thin-layer process is implemented at KraussMaffei's technical center on a "GX 650" with a swivel platen in combination with a mobile "RimStar Compact 8/8". KraussMaffei and Hofmann, which have been jointly developing "ColorForm" since 2008, plan to market the new technology together in the future.

With its premiere at Fakuma 2026, KraussMaffei is focusing in particular on more flexible and material-efficient series production of high-quality plastic surfaces. Automated color selection is intended to simplify the production of different variants, while the reduced PUR layer thickness lowers material consumption and, consequently, coating costs per component.

Fakuma 2026
Friedrichshafen, Germany
October 12–16, 2026
Hall A7, Booth 7303

More information: www.kraussmaffei.com

KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH, Parsdorf, Germany

back to news list