June 2008 Issue
June 2008
Features
Featured articles from the latest issue of Plastics Technology
Global Materials Database Offers More Data, More Functionality
The Plastics Technology online materials database has a new name, a new look, and lots of new capabilities to help find the right material for a particular job.
Read MoreDefect Position Analysis: What It Is, Why You Need It
There are so many new technological options in mold design, moldmaking, and molding today that it boggles the mind: We can simulate melt flows to anticipate difficulties.
Read MoreWhat Goes Around Comes Around
I don ’t want to sound Pollyanna-ish about the hard hits that North American molders and moldmakers have taken from overseas competition lately, but the good news about this globalization thing is that the globe is round, not flat.
Read MoreTPEs Move Up the Performance Scale
This first of two articles on directions in TPE development focuses on styrenic, copolyester, polyamide, and TP urethane elastomers. The following article covers olefinics—TPOs, TPVs, and POEs.
Read MoreDisk Pump Helps Compound Long-Fiber Thermoplastics
Already a familiar sight on European store shelves, the eye-catching appeal of "IML" is gaining traction among North American injection molders. The latest tooling and automation designs can handle the higher volumes needed here.
Read MoreEconomic Outlook - June 2008
The U.S. appliance industry remains stuck in the throes of a two-year downturn that has seen domestic production fall 15% from its peak in 2006. But the good news is that the decline is decelerating, which indicates that it will soon hit bottom and will start the recovery phase shortly thereafter. Appliance output was down 8% in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same period a year earlier. We forecast a more moderate decline of 2% in 2008 followed by a 4% to 6% rise in 2009.
Read MoreFeedstocks Push Resin Prices
Despite lackluster domestic demand, relentless increases in feedstock costs are forcing suppliers to push for higher resin prices.
Read MoreNew Presses, Robots And Low-Pressure Process
At its annual Technology Days conference and exhibition in Lossburg, Germany, Arburg GmbH + Co.
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