October 1999 Issue
October 1999
Features
Featured articles from the October 1999 issue of Plastics Technology
Capacitance Gauges Come of Age For Blown-Film Thickness Control
Thanks to recent technical advances, relatively inexpensive capacitance thickness gauges reportedly are now stable enough for reliable closed-loop control, not just monitoring thickness variations. Another big step forward for capacitance gauges is the arrival of non-contact heads that can be mounted on the bubble instead of farther downstream on the layflat, thereby allowing quicker response to thickness variations.
Read MoreNatural Fibers: The New Fashion In Automotive Plastics
Lightweight, strong, and low-cost, natural fibers are poised to replace glass and mineral fillers in numerous interior parts.
Read MoreRotary Thermoforming Gets Bigger and Better
Thermoformed Products Inc. (TPI) in Muskegon, Mich., has always been a large-parts specialist.
Read MoreLiquid Injection Molding Hits Its Stride
Liquid silicone rubber (LSR) has come a long way over the past two decades. From its roots in a few specialty applications where premium physical properties counted more than the premium price, this thermoset carved out a small but solid niche in the medical and automotive fields. Now, among a proliferation of new applications, that niche has begun to burst at the seams.
Read MoreCoextrusion Adds Shine to PP For Thermoforming Large Parts
New coextruded resin combinations are making polypropylene a contender for large thermoformed parts in outdoor uses from pleasure boats to automotive exterior trim.
Read MoreLearning to Love the Lab
Your colleagues in the long white lab coats are becoming Most Valuable Players on your manufacturing team.
Read MoreWhat Is a Second Worth?
When you are buying a molding machine, the author advises, you should balance the initial price against the payback in productivity.
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