September 2008 Issue
September 2008
Features
Featured articles from the latest issue of Plastics Technology
Your Business In Brief - September 2008
Husky to De-Emphasize Large-Tonnage MachinesHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd., Bolton, Ont., says it will de-emphasize production of large injection presses in order to concentrate on its core packaging markets, including PET preforms, closures, and thin-wall products.
Read MorePlastic Pallets Gain Ground In an Eco-Conscious World
Low-cost wood is still king, but plastics’ reusability is a growing attraction among manufacturers looking for sustainable material-handling options. The one major hurdle is today’s high resin prices.
Read MoreHow IML ‘Cuts the Mustard’ in Germany
The lightweighting advantages of in-mold labeling in times of soaring resin costs are highlighted by the experience of Germany’s largest mustard maker.
Read MoreDon’t Wind Wrinkles Into Your Film
Wrinkles are a major cause of defects in extrusion winding and converting, especially with thinner films, which are much more wrinkle-prone than thick ones. The cause of most wrinkles is located close to the roller where the wrinkle first appears and can be identified by looking at the orientation and pattern of the wrinkle. First, find the cause; then try to eliminate or at least reduce it.
Read MoreInvesting in Planet-Friendly Packaging
Clear Lam Packaging Inc. is a mid-sized, family-owned packaging company with an enviable growth rate of over 20%/yr, unusual at a time when many mid-sized packaging companies are being bought out and disappearing. The secret, Clear Lam believes, has been its aggressive investment in R&D.
Read MoreYour Business Pricing Update - September 2008
Commodity resin prices were still rising last month, and still more hikes were pending, but market resistance was building.
Read MoreNew Light on How to Optimize Properties of Microcellular Foams
With the growing popularity of thermoplastic microcellular foams (such as those produced by the MuCell process of Trexel Inc.) comes increased need to understand how to optimize foam properties through appropriate foam structure.
Read MoreEconomics Outlook - September 2008
So far this year, U.S. production of motor vehicle parts is down 5% from the same period last year.
Read MoreWhat Toolroom Maintenance Supervisors Need to Know
Those in charge of keeping molds reliable and production-ready normally start their day in the same manner—wondering what broke down since they last walked out the door—and hoping they have the resources to get it going again.
Read MoreLooking for Another Way to Compete?
Nearly all your costs of doing business have inflated dramatically.
Read More