Automotive7 min read

Automotive Interior  IMG Thermoforming

Premium soft-touch interior panels for Japanese OEM

Machine: MC-IMG-1350Material: TPO/TPU/PVC skinsRegion: India
Automotive Interior — IMG Thermoforming

The Challenge

A Tier-I automotive interior supplier needed a high-precision, scalable IMG (In-Mold Graining) thermoforming solution for premium soft-touch interior panels for a Japanese OEM's upcoming model. The requirement was for seamless, grain-textured surfaces with no secondary operations — replacing traditional wrap-and-stamp processes that were slower, more expensive, and prone to defects.

The Solution: MC-IMG-1350

Machinecraft designed and delivered the MC-IMG-1350 — a fully automated IMG thermoforming machine built from concept to production in just 5 months. This was India's first Made-in-India IMG machine.

Key Technical Specifications

Platen Size (Max)1900 x 900 mm
Tool Size (Max)1300 x 550 mm, Height 800 mm
Working Area1800 x 800 mm
Max Blank Size1350 x 600 mm
Daylight Opening2200 mm
Platen Travel1050 mm (top & bottom)
Clamping Force~10 tonnes
Load Capacity2000 kg per platen
Vacuum System2 x 1000L tanks, 2 x 100 m³/hr pumps
Table Speed30–250 mm/s
HeatingIR Quartz (650W each), 6x9 grids top & bottom
Total Connected Load~100 kW
DriveAll-electric servo (Mitsubishi)
ControlMitsubishi FX5U PLC + 10" HMI
Tool ChangeQuick-change with ball transfer units + pneumatic clamps

IMG Process

1

Automatic sheet loading (TPO/TPU skin blank)

2

Servo-driven clamp frame adjustment

3

Dual-sided IR quartz heating with zone control

4

IMG press forming — skin pressed against grain-textured mold

5

Vacuum assist for detail reproduction

6

Cooling with adjustable air blowers

7

Automatic part release and unloading

The Outcome

The MC-IMG-1350 achieved 120-second cycle times per part, enabling high-volume production. The IMG process delivered premium grain textures — from classic leather-look to laser-engraved geometric patterns — with seamless, defect-free surfaces requiring zero secondary operations. This eliminated the need for post-forming grain stamping, adhesive bonding, or manual leather wrapping.

Have a Similar Application?

Tell us your part, material, and volume. We'll recommend the right machine configuration.

Discuss Your Project