May 2007 Issue
May 2007
Features
Featured articles from the latest issue of Plastics Technology
Hollow Glass Microspheres Stronger Spheres Tackle Injection Molding
Looking for a way to make lighter parts without giving up properties? New hollow microspheres are stronger than ever—enough to withstand the rigors of injection molding.
Read MoreElectric, Hydraulic, or Hybrid? What's the Right Injection Press for You?
If you were buying an injection molding machine 20 years ago, you had to decide between a toggle or fully hydraulic clamp and that was pretty much it.
Read MoreTherapy for 'Over-Weight' Weigh-Hopper Scales
Scale performance inaccuracies are typically false-positive weights where the scale reads more material than it is actually receiving. There are steps to manage mechanical scale issues.
Read MoreCNC Routing Raises Productivity For PVC Door Maker
By using a CNC router, drilling holes in PVC became faster and achieved a much higher level of consistency.
Read MoreYour Business Outlook - May 2007
While many sectors of plastics have experienced weaker market demand over the past few quarters, the overall market for plastic bottles has continued its trend of moderate growth.
Read MoreHikes on the Way
Prices of PP, PVC, and PET moved up last month and new price hikes were under way for PE, PP, PS, PVC, and PET. PE prices up 3¢Polyethylene prices moved up 3¢/lb in March, bringing the total increase this year to 6¢/lb.
Read MoreEvaluating Mold Repair Skills
A systematic approach to train mold repair skills is more effective.
Read MoreComposites Innovation in North Dakota
North Dakota is not known for its trees, so one might guess that’s why it is home to a company specializing in composite building products that substitute for wood and metal.
Read MoreRecyclers Now Targeting Higher-Value Engineered Resins
Recycling news from the Society of Plastics Engineers’ Global Plastics Environmental Conference (GPEC) in Orlando, Fla., in March focused on PET, nylon, and waste plastics in electronics—in other words, mainly on higher value engineered resins rather than commodities.Carpet recycling claimed two of the show’s big environmental awards.
Read MoreFirst Direct Extrusion of Complex WPC Window Profiles
Wood-plastic composite (WPC) profiles are made by two main approaches.
Read MoreYour Business In Brief - May 2007
MPM Restructures Plastics MachineryMannesmann Plastics Machinery GmbH, Munich, the world’s largest maker of plastics and rubber machinery, announced a restructuring of its operations.
Read MoreNanocomposites: Less Hype, More Hard Work On Commercial Viability
Nano-fillers for enhancing thermoplastics and thermosets continue to make headway in commercial applications, although at a slower pace than had been anticipated.
Read MoreComposites and VOCs: Plain and Fancy Ways To Meet Emissions Rules
One year after EPA’s MACT rules took effect, most FRP fabricators have complied via process modifications or low-styrene resins. But some big players have invested in much more elaborate technology.
Read MoreYour Business Hourly Rate Survey - May 2007
Despite slowing of housing and automotive markets, the national average for custom injection molding machine-hour rates crept up a barely perceptible 0.8% in the second half of 2006.
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