April 2012 Issue
March 2012
Features
Featured articles from the latest issue of Plastics Technology
Fermentable Sugars from Biomass Are Closer to Commercial Reality
The brave new world of bioplastics relies in large part on fermentable sugars from plants (see Close Up on Biopolymers in this issue). Industry wants to get away from obtaining those sugars from food crops such as corn and to use instead waste plant matter and other inedible cellulosic materials, referred to collectively as “biomass.” Although there is currently no industrial-scale production of fermentable sugars from biomass, a number of firms are working toward that goal.
Read MoreWorking with Color Concentrates
Industry needs more development of enhanced-mixing screws.
Read MoreOil’s the Answer for Pipe Processor’s Energy Savings
These days, processors are looking to cut energy costs by virtually any means possible.
Read MoreCustom Molding Slows a Bit
It’s hard to discern a definite trend in the results from our latest half-year survey of custom injection molders.
Read MoreHow Gravimetric Control Systems Pay Off in Blow Molding
Gravimetric control systems offer blow molders improvements in processing efficiencies above and beyond their ability to regulate resin usage.
Read MoreResealable Flexible Packaging Uses Velcro Seals
Amcor Flexibles, Mundelein, Ill., and Velcro Europe S.A. in Spain have formed a strategic partnership to bring an innovative easy-open and reseal system to flexible packaging for cheese, milk powder, fresh ready meals, bread, and fresh produce.
Read MorePPA Moves into Gearshift Levers
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Vestamid HT plus polyphthalamide (PPA) from Evonik Industries High Performance Polymers in Germany (in the U.S., Evonik Degussa Corp., Parsippany, N.J.), is being used in gearshift lever parts for a major European auto company.
Read MoreMuCell Extrusion Buys Dow’s Sheet Patents
Last month, MuCell Extrusion LLC, Woburn, Mass., bought the patent portfolio of Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., covering polyolefin sheet extrusion.
Read MoreGetting Good Data from DOE
How do you know what process variables control a part’s dimensions or other properties? A properly conducted DOE is the answer—but incorrect procedure will yield useless data.
Read MoreCommodity & Engineering Resin Prices Climb Higher
Prices of major commodity thermoplastics continued to move upward through end of first quarter.
Read MoreRPET Prices Follow Oil and Virgin Resin Prices Upwards
RPET prices were sliding lower at the end of 2011, but they began the climb back up by mid-January.
Read MoreTake the Guesswork Out Of Profile-Cooling Needs
Think your downstream spray-type extrusion cooling lines might be longer than you need?
Read MoreUV Cure Solves LSR Processing Challenges
Extended cure times for thick parts and temperature sensitivity of pharmaceutical additives are two challenges for silicone molding and extrusion that can be overcome with new low-temperature UV curing technology.
Read MoreMold-Masters Gains Exclusive Use Of Ritemp Technology for Hot Runners
Hot-runner supplier Mold-Masters Ltd., Georgetown, Ont., has obtained rights to exclusive global use of Ritemp evaporative cooling technology for hot-runner molds.
Read MoreWater, Oil, Air, or None?
There is no one 'best' barrel cooling medium, but there seems to be a shift in the industry toward air cooling.
Read MoreSoothing a Temperamental Process To Make Better Bottles
Careful choices of machines, tools and operators are critical to tame the process to produce high-quality bottles consistently.
Read MoreCompressed Air: Optimize Treatment and Distribution to Save Energy
In previous articles, we discussed the enormous waste of energy and money that occurs every day in many plants due to inefficient use and generation of compressed air.
Read MoreConference Report: Bioplastics Are Breaking Out of Their 'Green' Niche
The excitement in the air of the recent Innovation Takes Root conference was a sense of arrival.
Read MoreNPE Preview – See what's coming in the NPE Zone
NPE 2012 runs from June 2-5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Read all about it in Plastics Technology's NPE Zone.
Read MoreThe Value of 20 Bits of Data
With these 20 bits of data, toolrooms can drastically lower the cost of keeping molds running and improve mold reliability and tooling life while reducing breakdowns and molding better parts.
Read MoreCures for Common Hot-Runner Wiring Problems
In the challenging environment of the last several years, manufacturers are looking inward to improve their manufacturing processes, streamline their supply chains, lower maintenance costs, andimprove their bottom lines.
Read MorePowder Injection Molding Helps PTI Thrive in Specialties
“We like challenges. We like to do things that other people are scared to do.”
Read MoreNew Supplier of Rigid PVC Compounds
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Sylvin Technologies Inc., Denver, Pa., a compounder of flexible and semi-rigid PVC, has now expanded into rigid PVC compounds.
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