August 2011 Issue
July 2011
Features
Featured articles from the latest issue of Plastics Technology
Where Does Shear Heating Occur? Here’s How to Find Out
One of the least understood yet most important concepts is viscous dissipation, which is the shearing or stretching of the polymer between the rotating screw and stationary barrel, causing heat to develop in the material.
Read MoreReport Details Opportunities for Battery-Film Processors
If you make battery separator films you might be interested in a report released recently by Eldib Engineering & Research, Berkeley Heights, N.J.
Read MorePhysically Foamed HIPS Is New Factor in Rigid Packaging
Relief for escalating costs of packaging materials and an opportunity to address sustainability goals are two factors that have helped attract global attention to a new physical foaming technology for HIPS packaging.
Read MoreWhy—and How—to Baseline Your Extruder
If you don’t baseline your extruder, then how are you going to set realistic expectations for its performance? Here's how to get going.
Read MoreThermoformer Offers Tips for Working with Wal-Mart
Chicago-area thermoformer Dordan Manufacturing will be offering tutorials on Wal-Mart’s Packaging Modeling 3.0 software at Pack Expo 2011, Sept. 26-28 in Las Vegas.
Read MoreThe Effects of Temperature
The polymers we work with follow the same principles as the body: the hotter the environment becomes, the less performance we can expect.
Read MoreTo Troubleshoot Profile Extrusion, First Get to Know All the Variables
It requires patience, logical thinking, and a methodical approach to assess each unique problem and solve the problem in a timely fashion.
Read MoreNova Plans Major PE Expansions
Nova Chemicals Corp., Pittsburgh, plans three capacity additions at its facilities in Canada.
Read MoreBiopolymer Database Adds Applications
An Application Database has been added to the Biopolymer Database available at Plastics Technology’s PLASPEC Global materials datacenter (plaspecglobal.com). The biopolymer database allows material searches by polymer, producer, mechanical or thermal properties, and by attributes such as biodegradability, compostability, food approval, and renewable-resource or recycled-resin content.
Read MoreAutomation & Waste Reduction: A Medical Molder's Efficiency
Vision Technical Molding in Manchester, Conn., doesn’t believe in standing still.
Read MoreNew Barrel Heater/Cooler Saves ‘Juice' to Run an Extruder
New, patent-pending design is said to reduce both radiant and convection heat losses.
Read MoreAmerichem Expands in North Carolina
Americhem, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, is building a new manufacturing “campus” in Liberty, N.C., near Greensboro.
Read MoreNovel Molds & Machinery for Medical Molding
The combined MD&M East and Plastec East shows in N.Y.C. in June presented intriguing developments for medical injection molders.
Read More'Green'...And Microwaveable Too
New technology from Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., eliminates a property tradeoff that could allow polylactic acid (PLA) to supplant polystyrene and polypropylene for microwavable frozen-food trays, lids for hot beverage cups, and carry-out containers.
Read MoreDMS Opens China Facilities
Mold-components supplier DMS North America, Oldcastle, Ont., has opened a new office in Hong Kong and a distribution center in Dongguan, China.
Read MoreBoost Performance, Speed, Economy with Servo-Controlled Welding
Ultrasonic welding is one of the most widely used processes for bonding polymers, valued for its speed, flexibility, and low cost.
Read MoreInternal Air Pressure vs. Vacuum Sizing for Ovality Issues?
To achieve more consistent ovality in an application like medical tubing extrusion, consider vacuum sizing.
Read MoreCompounder’s Low Headroom Doesn’t Stunt Its Growth
With careful planning and the use of bulk-bag discharging and conveying equipment, The Plastics Group of America was able to accommodate its latest expansion on one level of its 60,000-ft² building.
Read MoreEnergy Miser: Use Less Energy to Generate Compressed Air
Last month, we addressed how to minimize your plant’s usage of costly compressed air.
Read MoreCommodity Prices Fall; More Dips Coming?
Falling prices for the four main commodity thermoplastics was the trend by mid-July.
Read MoreFirst 100% RPET Soft-Drink Bottle in North America
Last month, PepsiCo Beverages Canada, Mississauga, Ont., unveiled what’s said to be North America’s first soft-drink bottle made from 100% recycled PET.
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