Matthew Naitove Contributing Editor

Biopolymers 25 Jan 2023

Plastics and the Joy of Chemistry

A Public Broadcasting program revels in the achievements of polymer chemistry while also warning of the problems that come with its benefits.

Injection Molding 17 Jan 2023

Fast, Easy Six-Axis Robot Integration Created by a Molder for Molders

Custom injection molder Noble Plastics has done its own six-axis robot integration with several brands of injection machines for over 20 years. Now it’s offering a turnkey service with what’s said to be unmatched speed, affordability and ease of implementation.

polyolefins 13 Jan 2023

In Sustainable Packaging, the Word is ‘Monomaterial’

In both flexible and rigid packaging, the trend is to replace multimaterial laminates, coextrusions and “composites” with single-material structures, usually based on PE or PP. Nonpackaging applications are following suit.

Stretch Blow Molding 11 Jan 2023

Ultra-Compact PET Machine For 12 L in Two Cavities

New size of all-electric reheat stretch-blow machine for large PET bottles debuted from 1Blow at K 2022. It retains the company’s signature small footprint and energy-sparing features.

Packaging 9 Jan 2023

New Designs for Electric & Hybrid Packaging and Industrial Blow Molding Machines

Introduced at K 2022, Bekum’s 21 models in the new EBLOW 8 Series and XBLOW designs include all-electric packaging machines from small to large, plus industrial units with a novel two-stage clamp in servohydraulic or hybrid versions.

All Electric & Hybrid Machines 2 Jan 2023

Word Games: What’s a ‘Hybrid’?

Any molder will tell you there’s a difference in working with electric vs. hydraulic drives. Servohydraulic is still hydraulic; a hybrid machine is something different. Imprecise use of terms causes needless confusion.

k show 23 Dec 2022

Large Electric Shuttle for Coextrusion with PCR

At K 2022, Plastiblow showed the new all-electric PB50ES-1000 Coex3 machine making three-layer, 20 L jerrycans with PCR in the center layer.

Stretch Blow Molding 21 Dec 2022

How Was K 2022 for Blow Molding?

Over a dozen companies emphasized sustainability with use of foam and recycle, lightweighting and energy savings, along with new capabilities in controls, automation and quick changeovers.

Blow Molding 20 Dec 2022

As Currier Grows in Medical Consumables, Blow Molding Is Its ‘Foot in the Door’

Currier Plastics has added substantial capacity recently in both injection and blow molding for medical/pharmaceutical products, including several machines to occupy a new, large clean room.