October 2007 Issue
October 2007
Features
Featured articles from the latest issue of Plastics Technology
New Resins and Modifiers for Extruded Profiles
Among new developments discussed at the Profiles 2007 conference in Charlotte, N.C., were high-melt-strength polyolefin elastomers for use as ingredients in TPO compounds that can compete with TPVs and flexible PVC.
Read MoreYour Business Pricing Update - October 2007
Despite roaring exports and some slight increases in monomer prices, slow domestic demand is keeping a lid on polyolefin and PVC prices for the moment.
Read MoreBlow Molders Save Big On Compressed Air
Molders of PET containers are paying special attention these days to the large amounts of compressed air used in their blow molding operations and the huge energy cost associated with generating it.
Read MoreBranched PVDF Gains Melt Strength For Film, Blow Molding, Thermoforming
Chain branching opens up lots of new processing opportunities for these fluoropolymers.
Read MoreCreating a Mold-Repair Plan-Part I: The Mold Layout Sheet
Regardless of mold type, the goal of the maintenance shop always is the same: Get a mold production-ready after it has been removed from service.
Read MoreYour Business In Brief - October 2007
Bayer Sells Its Share of ExatecBayer MaterialScience AG in Germany agreed to sell its 50% share in Exatec LLC, Wixom, Mich., to its joint-venture partner, GE Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass., just prior to the sale of GE plastics to SABIC of Saudi Arabia.
Read MoreHot-Runner News at K 2007
While a number of exhibitors at the “K” show in Dusseldorf are keeping their new entries under wraps until showtime later this month, some suppliers have released a few details on their new hot-runner components and controls.D-M-E will introduce the Bacchus hot-runner system for crates and packaging.
Read MoreSpecializing in Commodities
I was as astonished as anyone to learn that Saudi Basic Industries would buy GE Plastics in an $11.6-billion deal that was completed Aug. 31.
Read MoreSmaller, Thinner Connectors Drive LCP Growth
Strong demand for smaller and thinner electrical components that must withstand higher temperatures is pushing the envelope for suppliers of liquid crystal polymers (LCPs). This trend has prompted development of a new range of ultra-high-heat materials that boast high flow for thinner walls and faster cycle times in lead-free, surface-mount connectors.LCPs’ predominant market is still connectors, but suppliers of these premium-priced resins are looking to diversify into electronic packaging, automotive lighting, and consumer goods like cookware.
Read MoreThe Future of Vinyl Siding Fighting Back with Foam, Fiber Composites, and Even Paint!
Under attack from fiber cement, PVC siding makers are exploring different technologies to shore up their future.
Read MoreAuto Glazing: Film, Coinjection & Coating Technologies Advance
Hard-surfacing options for molded plastic glazing now include plasma instead of wet coatings–and replacing coatings altogether with in-mold film lamination or multi-layer coinjection.
Read MoreYour Business Hourly Rate Survey - October 2007
Average custom injection molding machine-hour rates rose 1% from Dec. 2006 through June 2007, according to responses to our latest semi-annual survey by 88 molders nationwide.
Read MoreRobots Make News at K 2007
Low-cost dual-arm servo models, zippy side-entry units for IML, and heavy-duty versions for large parts are some of the new robot models that will be on view at the K 2007 show in Dusseldorf later this month.Ilsemann will unveil a new high-speed IML system for cups and a high-speed side-entry robot that will retrieve and stack tumblers from an eight-cavity mold in less than 3 sec.Sepro Robotique and its new North American marketing arm, Sepro America LLC, will unveil a new dual-arm version of its Axess series of low-cost servo robots as well as its Model 4060 beam robot, which becomes the largest in its Generation IV family.
Read MoreOne Method Can Diagnose Six Main Causes of Bad Parts
World-class lean-manufacturing principles and total quality programs will not necessarily prevent an injection molder from making occasional bad or suspect parts.
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