February 2012 Issue
February 2012
Features
Featured articles from the latest issue of Plastics Technology
Working with Color Concentrates
Because the consumer sees so many colored plastic articles, it is natural to assume that the process of achieving molded-in color is a simple one. Those of us in the industry know differently.
Read MoreFive Cases Where Microcellular Foaming Paid Off
The MuCell process for producing microcellular injection molded parts is used and accepted globally as a technology option for providing a more dimensionally stable part through a reduction in residual stress, along with increased productivity versus solid injection molded parts.
Read MoreSafety Sense in the Shop
Running a clean, organized, professional, and safe shop requires a team effort that includes an awareness of unsafe practices and equipment that need to be eliminated, replaced, or improved, along with the accountability of all to identify and document safety issues.
Read MoreMicrocellular Foam Goes Really Big
The world’s largest injection machine equipped for the MuCell microcellular foam molding process (above) was started up in December at the technical center of Mürdter, a German molder and moldmaker in Mutlangen.
Read MoreMaking Older Hydraulic Injection Machines More Energy Efficient
Processor Strategies: Motor Controllers
Read MoreGet Better at Multi-Material Molding
Since each multi-material application is unique, there’s no standard best method for success. Each molding solution must be tailored to meet the needs of the final product.
Read MoreLubrizol Completes Acquisition of Merquinsa
The Lubrizol Corp., Wickliffe, Ohio, recently completed its purchase of Spanish TPU producer Merquinsa.
Read MoreMaking Parts Lightweight & Strong with New Technologies
One of the driving forces in technology is weight reduction.
Read MoreCoperion Adds Pelletizer Company
Twin-screw compounding equipment supplier Coperion GmbH (U.S. office: Coperion Corp., Ramsey, N.J.) has expanded its product line by acquiring majority ownership of Pell-Tec Pelletizing Technology GmbH in Niedernberg, Germany.
Read MoreNano-Cellulose Fibers: Renewable Reinforcements for Plastics
Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is a renewable reinforcing fiber material derived from wood or other biomass.
Read MoreNylon Prices Up 10¢ This Month
WEB EXCLUSIVE: BASF in Wyandotte, Mich., hiked prices of its nylon 6 resin by 10¢/lb as of Feb. 1.
Read MoreCommodity Resin Prices Move Upwards
After falling almost continuously through the second half of 2011, prices of PE, PS, and PVC were all on the way up last month, with PE prices already rebounding by the end of December.
Read MoreSABIC Opens Specialty Compounding Plant
SABIC Innovative Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass., recently opened a specialty polypropylene compounding operation at its Bay St.
Read MorePolyOne Acquires ColorMatrix
In late December, PolyOne Corp., Cleveland, completed the acquisition of ColorMatrix Group, Inc., Berea, Ohio, a maker of liquid colors and dosing equipment, colorants and additives for fluoropolymers, and specialty additives for PET and other resins.
Read MoreWhat to Calibrate on Your Press
There are different approaches to meeting the goal of making parts identically. At the heart of all them is the process or the machine setup sheet. My bet would be you cannot find two that are identical.
Read MoreLooking into Photovoltaic Film? Here Are Material & Die-Design Insights
The market for high-tech film or sheet used in solar modules represents a considerable opportunity for specialty extrusion processors looking to expand into high-end industries and capitalize on the global shift toward alternative energy.
Read MoreNew Partnership for EVOH/Nanoclay Barrier Compounds
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Nippon Gohsei of Japan, maker of SoaranoL EVOH resins, has obtained an exclusive global license for use of O2Block Barrier additive from NanoBioMatters Industries S.L. of Spain.
Read MoreNew WPC Materials Producer Up and Running
Some 18 months in the making, Polymera Inc. last month announced that its 160,000 ft² production plant is officially open for business, with annual capacity for 60 million lb of wood/plastics composite (WPC) compounds.
Read More‘Back to Basics’ Fuels More Innovation at Thin-Gauge Former
Shift from private to capital ownership give Tray-Pak a boost.
Read MoreMobile-Drying Project Required ‘In-the-Box’ Thinking
Portable material drying by truck is the concept behind an initiative launched last month by Poly Clean USA LLC, Charleston, S.C., with Dri-Air Industries.
Read MoreMetabolix, ADM End Telles Joint Venture
The world of biopolymers got a jolt last month when Metabolix Inc., Cambridge, Mass., and the Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), Decatur, Ill., announced the end of the Telles LLC joint venture for producing PHA biopolymer, effective Feb. 8.
Read MoreDo It All in the Mold
In-mold assembly, decorating, labeling, finishing: In-mold “what-have-you” has been a trend in injection molding for years.
Read More‘Wedging’ Can Cause Severe Screw Wear
In a column I wrote for the July 2011 issue, I discussed the value of conducting “forensic” examination of worn screws when they are removed for clues to design flaws.
Read More3D Digitally 'Printed' Plane Flies Solo
Last summer, the world’s first unmanned air vehicle (UAV) whose entire structure was produced by laser sintering of nylon, was flown by engineers at the University of Southampton, England.
Read More'Global' Ultrasonic Power Supplies Boast 'World First' Innovations
Branson Ultrasonics Corp., Danbury, Conn., has just introduced its first “global” series of ultrasonic welding power supplies for automated assembly systems, which are said to incorporate several “first-in-the-world” capabilities.
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