Covestro has introduced a new digital sampling solution aimed at expediting the journey from design to series production for applications including automotive surfaces.
This solution is designed to enable customers to visualize product designs realistically at an early development stage, providing insights into surface structures and color combinations.
Traditional prototyping methods can often fall short in accurately representing the final product’s optical and mechanical properties. Covestro says its digital sampling solution hopes to address this challenge by enabling customers to make informed decisions without investing in expensive prototype tools or engaging in complex color matching processes.
Under the Imagio CQ brand, Covestro will generate sample parts for visual evaluation in the early stages of development.
The X-Rite/Pantone Total Appearance Capture (TAC) technology is “the backbone of the digital solution”, Covestro says. The TAC captures optical properties such as color, gloss, transparency and texture. This data is stored in a specific format and is supported by rendering software tools used by Covestro customers.
The Imagio Color Finder (ICF) tool enables customers to search for color combinations, and supports the shift from costly color matching requests to existing color codes.
Further expanding its Imagio CQ family, Covestro has also introduced the Imagio Optical Material Data module, which enables customers to search for optical material properties in its EP portfolio. Covestro will also provide the necessary data for optical simulation programs, enabling more efficient development processes for automotive lighting systems.
ʺOur strategy is to get in touch with our customers at an early stage of product design, when the first material specifications are being defined,ʺ explained Dr Tobias Rausch, business development, digital sampling, in the Engineering Plastics business unit at Covestro and head of the project. ʺWe also want to facilitate collaboration between cross-site teams with new digital tools such as catalogs and material twins.ʺ
