Whitlam :: Automotive Labeling Case Studies

Industry
Solutions

Automotive Labeling Case Studies

INTERIOR:

The Challenges... The Solutions... The Results.

Compliance accelerated in NHTSA airbag safety and information
Tire Change Instruction Label must permanently adhere to difficult surfaces

WLC continues to play an expanding and strategic role in Automotive Interior Identification. By assessing performance trends and monitoring allied surface technologies, we anticipate requirements as they emerge in this large and complex application.

As a result of our ongoing commitment to research and development, we have focused our intellectual and technical assets on key interior issues:

The evolution of topcoat systems to improve scratch and mar resistance

Increased OEM emphasis on label aesthetics

An overriding imperative to reduce label count

Our ability to develop Trusted Solutions is

Founded on our commitment to anticipate application requirements, and

Leveraged by our ability to produce graphics-intensive warning and informational labels in extremely high volumes.

As our capabilities in label construction technology and related converting processes expand, we are positioned to deliver greater application efficiencies for the Tier 1 subassembly supplier as well as deliver unique performance advantages to the auto assembler.


	THE CHALLENGE ACCELERATE NHTSA AIRBAG SAFETY & INFORMATION COMPLIANCE THE SOLUTION RESPOND RELIABLY TO HIGH-VISIBILITY CONSUMER CONCERN Brainstorm with OEMs on highest-priority basis to specify a comprehensive label system of hang tags and subsurface-printed warnings to be instituted on a global, rapid-fire basis. THE RESULTS A TRUSTED SAFETY SOLUTION Label constructions meet industry Tier 1 and OEM need for Permanent and permanent/removable adhesion Environmental durability Seamless addition to existing Tier 1 component- and OEM final-assembly operations.



	THE CHALLENGE PERMANENT ADHESION ON DIFFICULT SURFACES Develop Tire Change Instruction Label that permanently adheres to ridged underside of spare tire cover board. Label must not shrink, weave, or destruct in the 2” gaps between ridges of tire coverboard. Substrate must be impervious to environmental change--specifically humidity and temperature--and adhere only to ridges. (Criteria reduces available adhesion surface area by 50%.) THE SOLUTION FULL SERVICE INNOVATION Survey strategic supply partners to identify potential substrate candidates. Use in-house ISO-accredited lab to test all substrates and confirm optimal facestock and adhesive construction. Deliver tested prototypes to OEM for sign-off. THE RESULTS EFFECTIVE CONSUMER SATISFACTION Locating the tire change instruction label on the spare tire cover board: Positions tire changing instructions in a convenient location for the consumer Eliminates potential to lose, misplace, or destroy instructions and safety warnings Facilitates tire change-out.