• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Buick GL6: The First Car Wrapped in IMSS

February 8, 2021 By Nadeem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - The Buick GL6 Gets Wrapped in Injection Molded Soft Skin

To the naked eye, the Buick GL6 looks like an ordinary minivan. But inside, there’s actually something special going on.

It’s the first vehicle to employ Kraton Corporation‘s injection-molded soft skin (IMSS) technology, which industry insiders say is about to revolutionize interior manufacturing.

Kraton manufactures specialty and bio-based polymers that go into everyday products. Their IMSS technology uses ultra-high flow thermoplastic elastomers, which are part of the hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers (HSBC) family, to produce lightweight, ultra-thin leather-like materials for the automotive industry.

Unlike PVC soft skins, HSBC-based materials can be applied to interior panels via injection molding. They also contain no added plasticizer, phthalates, or cross-linking agents and give off less odor than PVC soft skins.

The Hog Ring - The Buick GL6 Gets Wrapped in Injection Molded Soft Skin

For automakers, IMSS is a game-changer.

Auto Evolution explains: “Producing various interior panels using this technology can help automotive interior manufacturers sidestep the expensive, labor-intensive and energy-consuming slush molding process. That’s because the injection molding equipment offers higher efficiency, is cheaper to maintain, and consumes less electrical energy.”

“The process of creating an IMSS skin by injection molding can take 20% less time than manufacturing a PVC soft skin of similar size using the conventional slush process. Injection-molding tools also offer a longer lifespan than electroformed slush molds.”

The Hog Ring - The Buick GL6 Gets Wrapped in Injection Molded Soft Skin

The Buick GL6 is the first mass-produced vehicle to feature IMSS technology on its instrument panel — but it won’t be the last.

Industry experts expect the technology will attract loads more automakers and eventually become an industry standard.

Filed Under: Archive, Interesting Read Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Buick, Buick GL6, Car Interior, Kraton Corporation

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Top Down Group
Apex Leather
Miami Corporation RIght Rail - Ad 2
  • Hyde Leather
  • Moore & Giles Ad 1
  • Mobile Solution
  • Keyston Bros
  • Albright's Supply
  • GAHH Automotive
  • Douglass Interior Products

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery Blog - 2011 Jaguar XK

Bolder French Seams With QTC Contrast

Nothing sets off an upholstery job better … [more] about Bolder French Seams With QTC Contrast

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery Community - Rad Rides by Troy 1969 Ford Torino

Rad Rides by Troy’s 1969 Ford Torino

When Troy Trepanier of Rad Rides by Troy … [more] about Rad Rides by Troy’s 1969 Ford Torino

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - RPUI

Talking Shop: Restoration Parts Unlimited

Surely, every auto upholstery professional … [more] about Talking Shop: Restoration Parts Unlimited

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Design Studio

Design Studio: 1955-57 Chevy

The Hog Ring Design Studio is a growing … [more] about Design Studio: 1955-57 Chevy

How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

Stories about how individual auto trimmers … [more] about How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

The Hog Ring - How to make a seat from scratch

How to Upholster a Car Seat From Scratch

Check out this awesome guide on how to … [more] about How to Upholster a Car Seat From Scratch

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Hydes Leather is Giving Trim Shops Cash Back on Orders
  • Apex Leather’s New Black Max Threadboard is Badass!
  • Trimmer Max Dickerson Dies at 85
  • Why is it called DAP Weldwood Adhesive?
  • BMW Won’t Charge Subscription Fees for Heated Seats

Recent Comments

  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’
  • THE CAPTAIN on Should You Reinforce French Seams?

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.
anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in