Machinecraft Technologies delivered India's first domestically manufactured IMG (In-Mold Graining) thermoforming machine — the MC-IMG-1350. This project was structured as a complete turnkey solution, encompassing design, manufacturing, supply, installation, and commissioning at the customer's facility in February 2025.
What is IMG Thermoforming?
IMG (In-Mold Graining) is a specialized thermoforming process used primarily in the automotive industry for producing interior trim components with high-quality textured surfaces. Unlike conventional vacuum forming, IMG uses matched male and female molds with precise temperature and pressure control to imprint grain patterns directly onto the material during the forming cycle — eliminating the need for secondary surface finishing operations.
MC-IMG-1350: Key Technical Specifications
The MC-IMG-1350 is a fully servo-driven IMG press with electric servo motors powering both the top and bottom platens, sheet frame adjustments, and autoloader movements. The machine features a platen size of 1900 x 900 mm (top and bottom), a maximum tool size of 1300 x 550 mm with 800 mm height, and a working area of 1800 x 800 mm. It handles blank sheets ranging from 800 x 400 mm to 1350 x 600 mm.
The machine delivers a daylight opening of 2200 mm, top and bottom platen travel of 1050 mm each, approximately 10 tonnes of clamping force, and a load capacity of 2000 kg per platen. Table speed is programmable from 30 mm/s to 250 mm/s for precise control during the forming stroke.
Heating and Vacuum Systems
The heating system uses IR quartz elements rated at 650 W each, arranged in two grids of 6x9 elements (top and bottom) covering a maximum heating area of 1500 x 650 mm. The total connected load is approximately 100 kW, split between 70.2 kW for heating and 21.8 kW for servo motors. The vacuum system comprises two 1000-litre vacuum tanks and two vacuum pumps rated at 100 m³/hr each.
Control and Safety
The MC-IMG-1350 is controlled by a Mitsubishi FX5U Series PLC with a 10-inch touchscreen HMI, paired with Mitsubishi servo drives and SEW & Bonfiglioli gearboxes. The pneumatic system uses Festo components with certified tanks, valves, and vacuum cups in an adjustable arrangement. Safety features include light sensors, a 3-color tower lamp, Harting-type connectors, and comprehensive safety interlocks.
Additional Features
The machine includes a quick tool change system with ball transfer units on the bottom platen and pneumatic cylinders for tool clamping and changeover. The clamp frame is servo motor driven with adjustable positioning in both X and Y axes. Cooling is handled by four adjustable air blowers.
Process Flow
The MC-IMG-1350 operates in a five-step automated cycle: automatic sheet loading, sheet clamping, sheet heating, IMG press forming, and cooling with part release. This fully automated process ensures consistent part quality and high repeatability for production environments.
With the successful delivery and commissioning of the MC-IMG-1350, Machinecraft has added IMG thermoforming to its portfolio of advanced forming technologies — alongside vacuum forming, pressure forming, and TOM (Three-Dimensional Overlay Method) — further expanding its capability to serve the automotive interior components industry.
