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Taking the Pulse of the Molding Business...
Are custom molders in your neck of the woods getting busier, or are they less busy? Are they charging more or less for their services? To help us give you accurate answers, please take part in Plastics Technology Magazine’s twice-yearly survey of custom injection molding capacity and machine-hour rates. You can take the survey on-line by clicking here. Or, if you prefer, look for your copy in the mail soon. Either way it should only take a few minutes to complete. All responses are kept confidential, and the results will appear first in the April issue of Plastics Technology Magazine.
Purging Pointer of the Month...
Here’s the first in a series of technical tips that Novachem, a leading supplier of purging compounds, will be supplying readers of this newsletter: When possible, avoid running purging compounds back-to-back with production resins. Run the screw and barrel dry first, and then put the purging compound into the system. Why? Because the helical screw extruder is a great mixing device. The purging compound maker goes to considerable trouble to formulate an effective product, and it doesn’t help to dilute it with the remnants of the production resin.
Upcoming Conferences for Molders, Moldmakers ...
Executive Conference Management is still accepting registrations for Molding '08, to be held Feb 18-20 at the Hilton Financial District in San Francisco. The three-day event features more than 20 presenters discussing the latest technological development in injection molding.
Meantime, MoldMaking Technology Magazine is accepting registrations for MoldMaking Expo ’08, to be held in Novi, Mich., April 23-24, at the Rock Financial Showplace. MME is the only annual U.S. trade event dedicated solely to encouraging moldmaking industry knowledge, innovation and business growth through a highly targeted trade show, technical conference and invaluable networking opportunities. MME provides an industry forum where every year more than 2,500 moldmaking professionals—industry educators, product innovators and fellow moldmakers, molders and OEMs—meet face to face to exchange information, attend technical sessions, meet with trusted suppliers, examine the industry’s latest product/equipment offerings and make important purchasing decisions, all to prepare for the future of their business. More details here.
FEATURED PRODUCT:
NovaWheel Dryer Cuts Energy Costs by up to 25%...
and eliminates inefficient, high maintenance, desiccant beads. Small footprint and color touch screen control. 5-year warranty. www.novatec.com
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Growth Projected for Injection, Extrusion Businesses...
Following an erratic 2007, plastics economist Bill Wood is projecting better things for molders and extruders in 2008. Wood’s crystal ball reveals that the injection molding business will increase by 4-5% next year compared to last. Things started picking up a bit for molders in the second half of ’07; Wood’s exclusive Injection Molding Business Index showed a 2% increase in the third quarter of ’07, and a 4% hike in Q4. Wood believes molders may start the new year sluggishly, but he anticipates manufacturing activity will gain momentum in the second part of 2008.
Wood is forecasting similar growth in extrusion. Business for extruders dropped by about 1% in ’07 compared to 2006, but the economist is predicting a 4% increase in 2008, with most of the gains again being posted in the second half of the year. The film market had a respectable 2007, expanding by 5%, and Wood is forecasting another 4% hike in ’08. Sheet is also expected to increase following a solid ’07. |
January Cover Story: New Machinery from K’07
In this month’s cover story in Plastics Technology magazine, the most seasoned editorial team in the business reports on new developments that will keep you a step ahead of your competition—the latest in high-output, energy efficient, low-maintenance, and labor-saving equipment for injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, and compounding.
FEATURED PRODUCT:
Crystallize and Dry in One Hour with Infrared Technology
One-step process saves time and reduces energy costs by up to 65% while reducing footprint as much as 300% for PET & PCR processors. www.novatec.com
New Technology Spotlight:
Mark your calendar...
Novi MI - Rock Financial Showplace
April 23 -24 2008
www.moldmakingexpo.com
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